You don't have to pull the heads to change springs. It'll be as easy or easier than the cam install with the engine out of the car!

 

Im not really looking to mod this motor though, maximum I want is 98-2000 LS1 cam and LS6 intake, if I cant do that Ill leave the cam alone, dont wanna put any money into this 5.3L. If I go LS6 springs I mite as well go LS6 cam and thats $100 more than I wanted to spend, + $50 for the springs. Ive also gotta pay for my trans rebuild and a clutch/flywheel.

 

I wouldn't bother with the cam swap. I have the LS1 cam in my 5.3 truck and there is no noticeable top end difference with a small loss of bottom end. The truck feels lazy until about 4200 RPM.

 

heads do not need to come off for spring swap.
i also recommend the spring swap, the stock springs on the 5.3 are worn, and will become a liability with a m6 and aggressive driving

 

Are the 5.3L springs the same as the LS1 springs? The long block is a 2002 and is low mileage.

 

i think they are weaker than the ls1 springs.

 

id really like to see this car together and get some feedback...i also bought a low mileage lm7 to replace my 98 ls1...however its sitting on the engine stand and i cant make up my mind what i wanna do...I kinda want to have it bored to the 3.898 bore and do a forged 346....then another part of me see's a clean 30,000 mile engine sitting on the stand that will support over 500rwhp without blowing apart..."the hp will be from the help of n2o of course...

I thought abot doing a mild bowl blend on the heads having them milled to 59cc sticking the stock 98 cam in with some ls6 springs...but im afraid it will not perform as well as a lid catback ls1...I sold my h/c package off my old engine to fund x mas and really not wanting to drop another 4 grand into an 11 year old car...

please update this when you get the engine in the car...

 

lol sitting them side by side they look the same i guess you could have them checked with a pressure tester...
if i do this ill use ls6 springs and maybe retard the cama few degrees...my whole setup was setup for higher than 6500 rpm shifts and im just worried that its gonna run like *** even on the hose....

 

Yes the springs are the same.

 

I knew they were because they wouldnt waste money manufacturing a separate set of springs for a different engine when itd be cheaper to use what they have. If I can find a 98-00 cam for cheap Ill do it, if not im just gonna go with what comes with my LM7.

 

yep they sure do

 

i bought a 01 camaro z28 with a 5.3 in it. It only had a lid and gears and went 13.6...not to bad..but took it out and put an ls1 in it.