5.3 turbo(i know everyone is doing it)
5.3 turbo(i know everyone is doing it) i have an '02 Z28 with a VRX5 cam and a bunch of other stuff that was upgraded at Vengeance. Anyway i've been wanting to turbo for some time BUT i really don't want to risk the LS1 and a turbo. What i'm considering is i can get a long block(pan to intake) 5.3 from an '01 Silverado for $300 locally. Has around 150k miles and ran perfect when the truck got hit in the box. It's still in the truck, under the hood and full of fluids. Anyway is it worth getting and older 5.3 and should i just run it with some 317 heads(can get from a friend for cheap) or should i put in new pistons, rods and bearings and a decent boost cam? Just kinda looking for some direction and opinion 
~Cole~
~Cole~ i'm hoping for around 600-650 to the wheels. I have a built 4L80 right now and would be upgrading to a multi-disk Circle-D converter(currently a standard Circle-D 3400 stall) The guy that built my 80e runs a boosted 5.3 and said with 10psi on a basically stock 5.3 i can get the numbers i want but if i've already got the engine out i figure why not try and upgrade some stuff to make it somewhat reliable. My 10 bolt will be the next failed part 
lol
lol i'm not sure on the turbo. I'm not much of a fabricator and i can't weld for **** so i'm thinking a Huron turbo kit or the like. That part is up in the air as there are a few options. I really appreciate any help in advance. My trans builder recommended i go with a '05+ 5.3 as they had better rods/pistons but people want blood for them around here. I can get this '01 long block for $300 which leaves me a lot of room for the rotating assembly and cam
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well the 5.3 i'm getting has 706 but they are the older ones and not the castech's. Would the work milled down or should i mill 317's down? Or i could just find some 241's for cheap and run those. I want to avoid forging and spending too much on the lower. My initial thought is new bearings and have the crank cleaned up, new rings, stock heads, new dual springs, hardened pushrods, custom grind cam, new oil pump, lifters, LSA or LS9 headgaskets, LS2 chain. Any other ideas is appreciated or am i on a good track?
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I was in the same boat as you. I sold my ls1 long block and secured a 500 dollar 5.3 added a custom tick cam,springs ,headstuds ,huron kit with vs 80mm. Got me a stock 40k mile 80e added a hd2 and now saving$ for a converter.
If the 5.3 blows no big deal I'll go with 4.8 next time
If the 5.3 blows no big deal I'll go with 4.8 next time
i'll see if i can find them It wasn't pretty lol. i didn't cut enough and had to recut then i had to use an air chisel/hammer to get more room. Mine was tighter than most people have but i got it to work. I wanted enough space so that flexing and turning of the trans/engine would leave room to not have the plug hit. i probably got a little too carried away but i didn't want anything to break
Edit* found it. Ignore the undercoating. i sprayed some on to stop rusting and then later i sprayed SOM over it that i got sent to me via rattle can.
It wasn't pretty lol. i didn't cut enough and had to recut then i had to use an air chisel/hammer to get more room. Mine was tighter than most people have but i got it to work. I wanted enough space so that flexing and turning of the trans/engine would leave room to not have the plug hit. i probably got a little too carried away but i didn't want anything to breakEdit* found it. Ignore the undercoating. i sprayed some on to stop rusting and then later i sprayed SOM over it that i got sent to me via rattle can.
Last edited by Cole Train; Aug 20, 2014 at 09:48 PM.
well the 5.3 i'm getting has 706 but they are the older ones and not the castech's. Would the work milled down or should i mill 317's down? Or i could just find some 241's for cheap and run those. I want to avoid forging and spending too much on the lower. My initial thought is new bearings and have the crank cleaned up, new rings, stock heads, new dual springs, hardened pushrods, custom grind cam, new oil pump, lifters, LSA or LS9 headgaskets, LS2 chain. Any other ideas is appreciated or am i on a good track?
It's your money, spend it as you want. But, treat a 5$ ***** like she is worth 5$. Treat a 300$ motor likewise.
good to know on the heads. i wasn't sure what would be the best. i can get a set of 317's, complete and good shape for like $150 so i figure wouldn't hurt to have them milled and run 'em.
^^as stated above, for those power goals leave the block alone, get a nice cam, some good springs, pushrods, headstuds, and dont skimp out on the tune.
Denmah has beat those things to death as have others. If you have the extra cash and want to do the other stuff like rings, bearings etc....more power to ya. I am building a 5.3 turbo setup and am not planning to open the block up besides the addition of a cam.
Denmah has beat those things to death as have others. If you have the extra cash and want to do the other stuff like rings, bearings etc....more power to ya. I am building a 5.3 turbo setup and am not planning to open the block up besides the addition of a cam.
I don’t get what the “risk” with the LS1 is? Why swap out anything? An LS1 will take 650hp easily in stock form just as well as an 01 5.3 will. You already have the nicer LS1 heads, lighter motor, more cubes and a cam… Few guys making 800 at the wheels with stock bottom end LS1’s on here. An 01 5.3 is a step backwards IMO.
I say K.I.S.S. Leave the current LS1 setup. Match the turbo to the cam installed now and just run what you have. LS1’s from what I’ve seen aren’t really all the desirable these days. I wouldn't waste the time and effort pulling/selling it off. Run the bigger, lighter motor. The 650hp levels your not in danger of hurting anything if you tune it correctly.
I say K.I.S.S. Leave the current LS1 setup. Match the turbo to the cam installed now and just run what you have. LS1’s from what I’ve seen aren’t really all the desirable these days. I wouldn't waste the time and effort pulling/selling it off. Run the bigger, lighter motor. The 650hp levels your not in danger of hurting anything if you tune it correctly.