5.3 lm7 opinions needed!!
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Fernandina/Jacksonville, FL
5.3 lm7 opinions needed!! Just bought an lm7. 862 heads. I'm building up for single turbo, 700whp. I will be driving the car around for a bit with the 5.3 in it before I go turbo.
Wanting forged internals.
Ls9 head gasket.
Decent cam.
ARP hardware.
New crank?
Oil pan.
New springs.
Fuel rails.
Fuel injectors.
That's a broad list of the upgrades I want to make. Anyone have good recommendations for which parts are best as far as brand, part #'s, etc.?
Thanks!!
Wanting forged internals.
Ls9 head gasket.
Decent cam.
ARP hardware.
New crank?
Oil pan.
New springs.
Fuel rails.
Fuel injectors.
That's a broad list of the upgrades I want to make. Anyone have good recommendations for which parts are best as far as brand, part #'s, etc.?
Thanks!!
Staging Lane
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: halifax,ma
iam building a lm7 5.3 turbo now. using stock lower end, 862 heads ls6 cam and springs, 80 lbs injectors, ls6 intake, flipped truck shorty headers, 76mm on3 turbo, cxracing intercooler, tial 44mm wastegate, tial 50mm bov..ect.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-in...impala-ss.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/forced-in...impala-ss.html
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Fernandina/Jacksonville, FL
I've been reading a couple threads that say to go withthe ls1/6 head gasket over the ls9 because of price and they're pretty much the same piece?
Would 80lbs injectors start running out around 700whp? Do I need to do anything as far as fuel rails?
Would 80lbs injectors start running out around 700whp? Do I need to do anything as far as fuel rails?
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Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Fernandina/Jacksonville, FL
Any recommendations on what parts to choose for rods, pistons, bearings? Should I get a new crank?
This is my first time doing a build, and I'm jumping in head first. It'll be a long process, but I wanna make sure I get everything right. Thanks!
This is my first time doing a build, and I'm jumping in head first. It'll be a long process, but I wanna make sure I get everything right. Thanks!
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Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Fernandina/Jacksonville, FL
E85 is super rare both where I'm stationed at now and back home, so pump gas and meth is what I'm gonna do.
Like I said, this is my first major build. I'm just confused/ not 100% sure on how to choose upgrades because of sizes and whatnot.
I'll be taking the short block to a shop to have it hot tanked, true all the surfaces, and if need be, get it bored. Then I'm gonna go from there. But I wasn't sure on which companoes male good forged internals for these motors.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Fernandina/Jacksonville, FL
There's a couple places around Jax, FL that people recommended, but I'm thinking of going to Lamar Walden Automotive. Apparently they specialize in GM and I checked out their facebook page. They have some nasty builds for sure.
Its nice talking to yourself isn't it? I cant believe the number of views a thread gets with not a single reply. Ive post many questions around here just to see them get pushed of the page.
Dude if it helps any, Im doing a 800-900 whp turbo build and im using a lm7.
So far all i have done is sent the block out to get cleaned, new cam bearings, and a light scuff on the cyl walls to seat the new rings.
Im using all of my factory internals. I just put new bearings and rings in it. I bought a new oil pump and a billet single timing chain.
As far as ive seen this stock stuff will take abuse.
Dude if it helps any, Im doing a 800-900 whp turbo build and im using a lm7.
So far all i have done is sent the block out to get cleaned, new cam bearings, and a light scuff on the cyl walls to seat the new rings.
Im using all of my factory internals. I just put new bearings and rings in it. I bought a new oil pump and a billet single timing chain.
As far as ive seen this stock stuff will take abuse.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Fernandina/Jacksonville, FL
Its nice talking to yourself isn't it? I cant believe the number of views a thread gets with not a single reply. Ive post many questions around here just to see them get pushed of the page.
Dude if it helps any, Im doing a 800-900 whp turbo build and im using a lm7.
So far all i have done is sent the block out to get cleaned, new cam bearings, and a light scuff on the cyl walls to seat the new rings.
Im using all of my factory internals. I just put new bearings and rings in it. I bought a new oil pump and a billet single timing chain.
As far as ive seen this stock stuff will take abuse.
Dude if it helps any, Im doing a 800-900 whp turbo build and im using a lm7.
So far all i have done is sent the block out to get cleaned, new cam bearings, and a light scuff on the cyl walls to seat the new rings.
Im using all of my factory internals. I just put new bearings and rings in it. I bought a new oil pump and a billet single timing chain.
As far as ive seen this stock stuff will take abuse.
I'd like to get this build done fairly cheap, but I also don't mind a little extra insurance as far as longevity since it'll be a street car/ daily. Haha
Ya, it's a little frustrating at times. Haha. If you don't mind my asking, is your setup running or still in the works? I see most of these guys just doing head gaskets, hardware, rods, pistons and not much more.
I'd like to get this build done fairly cheap, but I also don't mind a little extra insurance as far as longevity since it'll be a street car/ daily. Haha
I'd like to get this build done fairly cheap, but I also don't mind a little extra insurance as far as longevity since it'll be a street car/ daily. Haha
Oh i did use arp rod bolts.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Fernandina/Jacksonville, FL
I found a shop here that'll hot tank and clean everything for about $150. Should I get heads and all that stuff cleaned while I'm at it, or would it be fine to jist throw them on there as is?
That's going to be an expensive motor for only 700 rwhp. IMO, keep the bottom end stock and run methanol injection with 93 pump. You will hit that goal all day. I've been running mine on just 93 pump at 11 PSI and 540 rwhp. It's been 2 years now and it's held up great besides a few hiccups that were unrelated to the setup. I just installed an alky control meth kit and am shooting for mid 600's at the rear at around 15 PSI next season.
60 lbs injectors have been known to make 700 rwhp so in that sense, 80's will be plenty. With meth though, it takes some stress off your injectors and pump so you could get away with 60's if you went that route. The 76mm is a good size for a stick car. I love mine. Spools quick between gears and it's a blast on the street!
Never heard of using LS1/6 head gaskets...I used the stock 6.0 MLS gaskets on mine and they are awesome. They fit a 5.3 without issue since the bore size is so close anyways. My bottom end is all stock but I have ARP head studs. Very solid combo.
60 lbs injectors have been known to make 700 rwhp so in that sense, 80's will be plenty. With meth though, it takes some stress off your injectors and pump so you could get away with 60's if you went that route. The 76mm is a good size for a stick car. I love mine. Spools quick between gears and it's a blast on the street!
Never heard of using LS1/6 head gaskets...I used the stock 6.0 MLS gaskets on mine and they are awesome. They fit a 5.3 without issue since the bore size is so close anyways. My bottom end is all stock but I have ARP head studs. Very solid combo.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Fernandina/Jacksonville, FL
That's going to be an expensive motor for only 700 rwhp. IMO, keep the bottom end stock and run methanol injection with 93 pump. You will hit that goal all day. I've been running mine on just 93 pump at 11 PSI and 540 rwhp. It's been 2 years now and it's held up great besides a few hiccups that were unrelated to the setup. I just installed an alky control meth kit and am shooting for mid 600's at the rear at around 15 PSI next season.
60 lbs injectors have been known to make 700 rwhp so in that sense, 80's will be plenty. With meth though, it takes some stress off your injectors and pump so you could get away with 60's if you went that route. The 76mm is a good size for a stick car. I love mine. Spools quick between gears and it's a blast on the street!
Never heard of using LS1/6 head gaskets...I used the stock 6.0 MLS gaskets on mine and they are awesome. They fit a 5.3 without issue since the bore size is so close anyways. My bottom end is all stock but I have ARP head studs. Very solid combo.
60 lbs injectors have been known to make 700 rwhp so in that sense, 80's will be plenty. With meth though, it takes some stress off your injectors and pump so you could get away with 60's if you went that route. The 76mm is a good size for a stick car. I love mine. Spools quick between gears and it's a blast on the street!
Never heard of using LS1/6 head gaskets...I used the stock 6.0 MLS gaskets on mine and they are awesome. They fit a 5.3 without issue since the bore size is so close anyways. My bottom end is all stock but I have ARP head studs. Very solid combo.
And ya, I've read several threads where people opt for the ls1/6 gasket since it's cheaper and apparently works just as well...
I'd like to do it fairly cheap, but I'm also trying to get "fast, reliable, and somewhat cheap" haha