So I will be swapping a 5.3 into a 55 chevy pickup. I have a comp 74mm turbo that will be going on it eventually. I have patriot golds that will go on, head studs, and it currently has LS9 gaskets. Also have a Z06 cam and LS6 intake for the thing.The engine has probably over 100k on it. Its grungy and I was thinking of having it hot tanked to degrease etc.

So the question is, do I forge it from the get go, or do I just do a clean and hone with the stock parts, obviously need to re-ring and probably bearings etc.

I would like to run around 600 rwhp most of the time and the turbo is rated for 1100 (assuming fwhp) which I might occasionally run it harder. So Im debating which route to go with the engine.

What route would you take?

 

I would just run it as is for now.....if you're going to tear it apart you might as well do what you want with it (forged internals, etc) but the stock bottom end has been said to be able to handle up to a 1000 hp anyway so no need to forge it just yet.

http://www.hotrod.com/howto/113_0504...s/viewall.html

 

Powerwash it to clean it up and run it. Is it all gummed up on the inside or just dirty on the outside?

Post up a link for this 1100 hp 74mm turbo. I dont think that claim is accurate, esp for a V8 application

 

Yeah, run it stock if it runs already. As for the turbo, it will probably only make 800.

 

This is the turbo I have

http://www.compturbo.com/products/ct43billet/ct43_7479

 

I like to do it once and do it right,
If your gonna open it up forge it and be done.
If you enjoy tinkering and don't mind pulling motors if and when they pop, leave it as is,
5.3s are cheep enough over there to be a disposible item ..

 

Forge it and be done, then you can concentrate on other things in the future!

 

if you have the money then go ahead and forge it. if you need other things, take care of those and run it as it is