Noob to FI, question about blocks
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (37)
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 0
From: northwest La
Noob to FI, question about blocks I have a chance to get my hands on a turbo kit, and possibly a 5.3 motor. My question is it better or safer to turbo a 5.3 block or my ls1? My ls has racked up some miles on it. And I just always here how the iron block is better for boost. I wouldnt be running large amounts of boost, I would just like to keep it low for now. I currently just have a cam only car and supporting mods, and it has over 100k on the block. What can the internals on the 5.3 hold? I would be upgrading the fuel system on the 5.3 if I was to get it. Take it easy on me I am new to this section
If you're not going big boost the aluminums are fine. I assume you're gonna change the pistons and go forged pistons, so the block will be looked at and inspected while you're at it.
But heck, get the 5.3 just because it'll be newer and its cheap.
Iron is defintiely the better choice when you build a big fella.
.
But heck, get the 5.3 just because it'll be newer and its cheap.
Iron is defintiely the better choice when you build a big fella.
.
Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (37)
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 0
From: northwest La
what kind of pistons are in the 5.3 blocks? I am trying to go the safest and cheapest route. Could I make more power on the truck block(stock pistons etc) compared to what I have now?
I would say if you gonna stay low on boost (under 10 psi) just stay with the LS1. there are plenty of people with LS1 with stock internals pushing over 500rwhp easily. I guess it all really depends on the maintance and condition of the motor. If you going to upgrade I would go with the LQ4 6.0 truck motor. I've seen people make good power on 5.3's too and they are cheap and plentiful, but i dont see the point in using the 5.3 for low boost if you already have a ls1.
Do you know the condition on the 5.3 because it could be used and abused and not last as long as your ls1 (which you know the condition of because its yours). And the aluminum block seems to work good with boost because people on this forum are making upwards of 800hp with them when they are forged. the iron block is good for huge boost like over 20 if your not going that high i wouldn't worry about the block.
short version: use/start with the LS1 and low boost....future- forge the ls1 or a LQ motor for big boost.
Do you know the condition on the 5.3 because it could be used and abused and not last as long as your ls1 (which you know the condition of because its yours). And the aluminum block seems to work good with boost because people on this forum are making upwards of 800hp with them when they are forged. the iron block is good for huge boost like over 20 if your not going that high i wouldn't worry about the block.
short version: use/start with the LS1 and low boost....future- forge the ls1 or a LQ motor for big boost.
Trending Topics
8 sec potential, 12 sec slip
iTrader: (50)
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,092
Likes: 2
From: Savannah, GA
The stock pistons will break first no matter which block you use. If you get the 5.3, get it to build a forged 5.7L with. Just slapping a stock 5.3L longblock in there wont help you one bit.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
11 Second Club
iTrader: (37)
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,383
Likes: 0
From: northwest La
I would say if you gonna stay low on boost (under 10 psi) just stay with the LS1. there are plenty of people with LS1 with stock internals pushing over 500rwhp easily. I guess it all really depends on the maintance and condition of the motor. If you going to upgrade I would go with the LQ4 6.0 truck motor. I've seen people make good power on 5.3's too and they are cheap and plentiful, but i dont see the point in using the 5.3 for low boost if you already have a ls1.
Do you know the condition on the 5.3 because it could be used and abused and not last as long as your ls1 (which you know the condition of because its yours). And the aluminum block seems to work good with boost because people on this forum are making upwards of 800hp with them when they are forged. the iron block is good for huge boost like over 20 if your not going that high i wouldn't worry about the block.
short version: use/start with the LS1 and low boost....future- forge the ls1 or a LQ motor for big boost.
Do you know the condition on the 5.3 because it could be used and abused and not last as long as your ls1 (which you know the condition of because its yours). And the aluminum block seems to work good with boost because people on this forum are making upwards of 800hp with them when they are forged. the iron block is good for huge boost like over 20 if your not going that high i wouldn't worry about the block.
short version: use/start with the LS1 and low boost....future- forge the ls1 or a LQ motor for big boost.
If i use the ls I will be running low boost, it wont be forged for the time being, it has 118k on the motor. My plan is to get the 5.3, which for some reason I would feel more comfortable with, and possibly run more boost, this motor has 22k on it.
What direction would you guys go on this? Just looking at what I have available to me at the moment. I just always heard that iron was the way to go on this. All things being stock, what motor is better to boost as they sit I guess is what I am saying.
8 sec potential, 12 sec slip
iTrader: (50)
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,092
Likes: 2
From: Savannah, GA
the iron BLOCK is stronger than the aluminum BLOCK. However, the pistons are the same crappy material from the factory on an LS1 an on an iron 5.3. You can replace the bottom end of an aluminum LS1 block with forged internals and go up to 1000rwhp. At the point that an aluminum block becomes the waekest link, you will have surpassed what a 4 headbolt application limitations are for retaining the head gaskets.
That being said, if you are going to build up an engine and have either the aluminum or iron block to start off of, I'd say get the iron one for strength. But only if you are still putting in forged rods and pistons.
That being said, if you are going to build up an engine and have either the aluminum or iron block to start off of, I'd say get the iron one for strength. But only if you are still putting in forged rods and pistons.