Dillon F

Ive been planning out a future build and wanted your guys opinions on the parts i have listed and any recommendations or additions to the list. This will be a daily driven street car but may also see some track time.

Specs:
2002-2005 lm7 5.3 engine
forged wiseco stock size pistons
forged hbeam robs( Notdecided on which yet)
arp rod bolts
arp main bolts
gt45 ebay turbo charger
44mm wastegate
intercooler
blowoff valve(not decided which one yet)
2 stage Manuel boost controller
ls6 stock spec cam
snow meth injection kit
80 lb injectors
3 bar map sensor

This will all be tuned with hptuners by myself and will normally run on 10-12 psi of boost but have the 2 stage controller to turn it up to about 18 psi
so what do you guys think?

JoeNova

Why go through the effort of forging the shortblock for a GT45 or an LS6 cam?

Any build using either of those should probably stick to the stock short block.

Dillon F

I was planning on forging it to accept high boosts in a future setup but do you think the stock bottom end can handle 18 psi of boost reliably then ill just delay the forging uuntil i want to make large numbers. I am still fairly new to engine building thus why i ask for opinions here so any input is appreciated and regardless i am probally replaceing the pistons due to this engine likley being close to 150,000 miles on it

89BANDIT

Was just about to type the exact same thing. If your going to build a stout, Forged short block. Get a custom spec'd cam. You will always regret going with a stocker. Then have to swap cams. Just get one with the build. Or keep the short block stock. Do crank Bearings and drop a boost stick in it.

Dillon F

Alright if I decide to go with the forged rods/pistons then ill probally talk to elliot at elliot ports work about getting a custom cam but is there any internal mods im missing to be sure the engine is reliable?

JoeNova

A GT45 isn't the most efficient turbo. You're going to have to have a pretty terrible tune to hurt even a a stock gen3 short block with one.

Suncc49

Or you could get a decent L33, gap the rings, no forged crap, boost it to 20lbs and survive fine making good power....

Dillon F

interesting!Thanks for the input because im defianatly not set on the gt45 I will look into other options for sure im probally going to look at the l33 or 2 smaller turbos for a twin setup and use the money saved from the crossover to justify it. thanks for all the help ive heard the stock engines are very strong so maybe ill just keep it stock and only replace worn parts in the engine

Dillon F

Is there any turbos you can reccomend around a 1000 or under that would be better. I think with this budget i might have to go used but any help is appreciated im still quite a noob when it comes to turbocharging

slocaddy

S475 is always a bargain, forged is a great idea, (not sure its needed) just give it a custom Cam too! Good luck

kingtal0n

iTrader: (1)

My recommendation for vehicle weight under 3500lbs:

stock 5.3L IRON $500
stock 5.3L L33 $?

You buy those two engines. Build yer kit around the iron engine, learn on the iron engine, w/ stock cam it will produce 500~rwhp or more. When it blows up and you've learned from the mistake, swap in the Al version with a cam and achieve 600+.

The jump from stock longblock to forged engine for a mere 100-300 extra horsepower is not easy, reliable or affordable for most. If you have never had one, then definitely not. I would avoid a built engine at all costs until you absolutely were sure you needed one, i.e. you are hungry at 600-800rwhp and blew up the second Al L33.

ls72nova

I spent $600 on two 61mm turbos from ON3. They light off pretty quick on my 6.0. It’s all stock except I added a BTR turbo cam