Cheep 5.3 build
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 55
Likes: 1
Cheep 5.3 build I am newish to this and need some pointers. I have a 01 5.3 iron block engine to start with. I have an LS2 intake with stock 33lb/hr injectors, fuel rails and a 3 bolt throttle adapter. I also have an LS1 intake, fuel rails and a set of injectors from a 2001 BMW 740. These are 19 lb/hr injectors at 50 PSI and I guess around 21 lb/hr at GM's higher PSI. I have a stand alone harness set up for the LS2 injectors but I can always switch the ends. I have a truck and a car 3 bold cable operated throttles. I am planing to install an LS6 cam. I have seen a few posts that the LS 6 valve springs can be bought at the dealer for around $60.00. Ok here are my questions.
1. What intake should I use? If the answer is the LS1 are my BMW injectors to small? If so what should I look for.
2. From what I can tell the truck and car throttles are the same except for the steam tube any preference?
3. The LS6 cam. I read I need to replace the springs. The GM LS6 springs seem like a good cheep option. I have seen allot of posts on push rod length. Any one have any experience?
All of this is going into a Gen 1 Nova with a 4L60 E and a 373 8.8 posi if this affects your answer.
Thanks for any help
1. What intake should I use? If the answer is the LS1 are my BMW injectors to small? If so what should I look for.
2. From what I can tell the truck and car throttles are the same except for the steam tube any preference?
3. The LS6 cam. I read I need to replace the springs. The GM LS6 springs seem like a good cheep option. I have seen allot of posts on push rod length. Any one have any experience?
All of this is going into a Gen 1 Nova with a 4L60 E and a 373 8.8 posi if this affects your answer.
Thanks for any help
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 714
Likes: 0
From: Tampa FL
The LS6 intake outflows the LS2 piece even ported from what I understand. The injectors you have a going to be too small. The stock gm injectors are 24lbrs so you will probably be fuel starved. I'd pick up a set of 32lb SVO injectors so you have room to grow.
The title is cheep build. And it's a 5.3 not a 5.7 or 6.0.
With the smaller displacement and smaller intake valves, you're not going to see any difference on a 5.3 between a stock LS1,2,6 intake until probably 6000rpm, if at all. Spending $300 for an LS6 intake for a couple hp at that rpm is a waste of money.
With the smaller displacement and smaller intake valves, you're not going to see any difference on a 5.3 between a stock LS1,2,6 intake until probably 6000rpm, if at all. Spending $300 for an LS6 intake for a couple hp at that rpm is a waste of money.
Last edited by garys 68; Apr 5, 2013 at 11:57 AM.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 55
Likes: 1
Sorry it took so long to get back to you. The story on this build is I bought a couple abandon projects.The car an 64 Nova and the Engine. The 5.3 radiator stand alone aftermarket harness, Ls2 intake Ls2 injectors, 3 bolt adapter Truck throttle F body water pump, Dirty dingo water pump spacers and idler pulley and ECU all came form a guy putting together a swap for an old truck and he died of an overdose before he got it going. His father in law sold me all this stuff with no info. He did not know the year millage 4.8 or 5.3 ect. I did a little reasearch and this is what I have. The ECU looks to be a desirable one 12200411. I don't know who made the harness but it is new not reworked. I recently read that I can use flat top 4.8 pistons in this engine and get 10.5 to 1 compression. I know nothing about this engine except it is a 2001 5.3 with 862 heads. Th looks clean inside when I took off the pan and it turns over. It may be a good Idea to take it apart and do a minor rebuild. If I am doing that it would be cool to do some cheep improvements like rod bolts pistons. It came with an LS2 cam. I also got the BMW injectors that are just like LS1 injectors but less output. I have an Ls1 intake with rail throttle, no injectors and a late LS6 cam. I want to spend less than 500.00 on this project and can sell the extras to fund it if I need to. I really appreciate any advise or input you have. I have been a mechanic all of my life but it has all been on BMW's. No real experience on GM
The 411 ecu can be programmed for DBW or cable and works well with auto or manual, so you're good there.
Next, figure what your harness is set up for. Will it plug into the 411 ecu or is it made for later LS2 ecu. If it's set up for the 411 and LS2 injectors, I would say use it.
Next figure out if the harness is set up for DBW or cable TB.
Also note if the MAF wiring includes IAT sensor.
If you have the LS6 cam, you might as well use it. I understand you need the LS6 springs. Not sure if that's a coil bind or rpm/spring pressure issue. You can post the question over on the conversions page.
Next, figure what your harness is set up for. Will it plug into the 411 ecu or is it made for later LS2 ecu. If it's set up for the 411 and LS2 injectors, I would say use it.
Next figure out if the harness is set up for DBW or cable TB.
Also note if the MAF wiring includes IAT sensor.
If you have the LS6 cam, you might as well use it. I understand you need the LS6 springs. Not sure if that's a coil bind or rpm/spring pressure issue. You can post the question over on the conversions page.
