evo462

iTrader: (27)

I figure as common as the configuration seems to be I am probably missing somethin fairly obvious, but what benefit does the 5.3 offer over the 5.7 for turbocharged setups?

IT_SS

iTrader: (5)

dished piston for the GEN III Iron blocks, thicker cylinder walls, GEN IV's come with 243 heads and the redesigned, beefier rods.... thats all I can think of...

evo462

iTrader: (27)

I saw some for sale in classifieds and people were looking for the aluminum ones especially.

So from what youre saying, they may be able to take more boost reliably due to block, pistons, and rods differences than a stock 5.7 short block?

Im intrigued....

slow67

iTrader: (2)

Also they are only ~$450 to replace around here, LS1s are still easily $1000-1500.

IT_SS

iTrader: (5)

right, but remember, the rod diffrence is with the gen IVs, not the get III

slow67

iTrader: (2)

No, the later gen III 5.3s have stronger rods.

IT_SS

iTrader: (5)

o ok, I thought it was the GEN IV/LS2 family, thankx for the info

evo462

iTrader: (27)

Is there much loss in power by going to the smaller displacement? I realize you can run higher PSI to compensate, but at what point does the 5.3 start having the advantage over the 5.7?

slow67

iTrader: (2)

You can get Gen III 5.3s up to '06 or so. My 5.3 is an '05.

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

the 5.3 motors are easier and cheeper to replace and come across.
than a real 5.7 ls1.
cylinder ring seal should be better due to the iron blocks thicker cylinder walls.
most of the 5.3s are lower scr. and can drop scr even lower with 241s and 317s.

BottleFedZ346

iTrader: (17)

Hmm not to hijack but im assuming they can make a little more power then a stock internal ls1?

evo462

iTrader: (27)

Where did you guys find your 5.3's at? Just call up a salvage yard and ask if they have any short blocks?

transammiller

iTrader: (21)

do it Neal. those 5.3s are "rock'n pops" plus you can put a set of 317s on top and get super low compression which will allow you to run pump gas to a higher psi.it will kinda doggy out of boost due to the lower compression but man will it rip. just throw a set of ARP 2000 rod bolts and head studs, main studs and you're ready to go. blow it apart and just get another one. also 5.3 have a smaller piston area which makes them more structurally stable (less prone to busting)

1972nova

iTrader: (13)

price was a big thing for me, all day here in ohio 250-400 complete long block with harness for the 5.3

elias_799

iTrader: (8)

i have seen a couple of guys here with 600whp on stock 5.3 shortblock, but i personally would not want an iron motor on my front end

skinnies

iTrader: (33)

so get an L33, that's what I did this time around.

evo462

iTrader: (27)

Is it because of the weight difference?

skinnies

iTrader: (33)

Yes the L33 is aluminum

elias_799

iTrader: (8)

^^^^ i thought it was called the ls4 ?

IT_SS

iTrader: (5)

close, thats the FWD power plant for the late Monte Carlo/Impala ss and the GXP