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Old Mar 30, 2010 | 04:59 PM
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Default 5.3 Build....

Im planning on building a 5.3 LM7 for my dads 80 Camaro. So far what i have is a stock bottom end 5.3. My plan is to mill a set of 317 heads I have .030". Install a 2002-2004 LS6 cam and LS6 intake to the top end while leaving the bottom end basically stock (will be installing new bearings and re ringing the pistons though) What do you guys think of the combo and what would you do different? Im hoping to make 350ish HP with it.
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Old Mar 31, 2010 | 08:20 AM
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For your horsepower level, an LS1 intake will probably be perfectly adequate, and is a lot cheaper than the LS6 intake.
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Old Mar 31, 2010 | 06:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Jim85IROC
For your horsepower level, an LS1 intake will probably be perfectly adequate, and is a lot cheaper than the LS6 intake.
ok cool, i actually bought an LS1 intake last night so ill just use that but i still plan on the ls6 cam and the milled lq4 heads
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Old Apr 1, 2010 | 07:01 PM
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Default 317 heads

will the 317 heads bolt right on the 5.3?
is there a reason for the 317 heads?

I have a 5.3 and can buy some 317's from a friend.

thanks.
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Old Apr 1, 2010 | 07:02 PM
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yeah the 317s will bolt right on. The reason im using them is that i got them for free, they flow almost the same as the 243s and with .030" mill they are about the same cc too.
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Old Apr 1, 2010 | 07:09 PM
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Originally Posted by 70TWO NOVA
yeah the 317s will bolt right on. The reason im using them is that i got them for free, they flow almost the same as the 243s and with .030" mill they are about the same cc too.
the 317s do flow as well as the 243/799 becuase they use same design ports valve sizes.
317=71cc chamber
243/799=65cc chamber
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Old Apr 1, 2010 | 07:10 PM
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Originally Posted by NemeSS
317=71cc chamber
243/799=65cc chamber
317 w/ .030" mill=66cc chamber
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Old Apr 1, 2010 | 07:15 PM
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ur scr will be under 10:1 even with milled 317s
what yr is ur 5.3?
the dish piston 5.3 are around 9.4:1scr with stock 706 62cc chamber heads.
so u will drop the scr even more even with milled 317s if ur 5.3 is dish piston motor
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Old Apr 1, 2010 | 07:20 PM
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my 5.3 is a 2004. CR is 9.5:1 with the stock heads (61cc chambers) im thinking i should be around 9.2:1 now with the larger chambers. Its cool though cause i want to run 87 octane pump gas in this thing. I think i should hit the 350-380hp number still though
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Old Apr 1, 2010 | 07:27 PM
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Originally Posted by 70TWO NOVA
my 5.3 is a 2004. CR is 9.5:1 with the stock heads (61cc chambers) im thinking i should be around 9.2:1 now with the larger chambers. Its cool though cause i want to run 87 octane pump gas in this thing. I think i should hit the 35-380hp number still though
my truck make 302rw thru stock drivetrain on 87 with upgraded 241s h.o 5.3/5.7 gaskets
stock manifolds,intake and exhaust, ls6 cam with tune. so i think u should have no prob. hitting ur goal. u may have to use ls2 head gaskets though. or may get away with h.o. 5.3/5.7
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Old Apr 1, 2010 | 07:30 PM
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Originally Posted by NemeSS
my truck make 302rw thru stock drivetrain on 87 with upgraded 241s h.o 5.3/5.7 gaskets
stock manifolds,intake and exhaust, ls6 cam with tune. so i think u should have no prob. hitting ur goal. u may have to use ls2 head gaskets though. or may get away with h.o. 5.3/5.7
oh really? thats good to know. Whats the difference between the ls2 head gaskets and the h.o. 5.3 5.3 gaskets? thickness?
I plan on using the ls6 cam, intake, obviously the 317s, long tube headers, with a 4l60e
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Old Apr 1, 2010 | 07:47 PM
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ls2 gasket 4.045 bore .051 compressed. lq4 gaskets is same bore but .058 compressed
the 317 heads came on 4.00 bore engines and came with larger bore gaskets obviously. compare the chambers and u will see the difference.
may need 4.0+ bore gaskets with 317 heads and 3.78 5.3 bore.
the 241 came on 3.9 bore, so thats y used 5.3/5.7 h.o. gaskets.
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Old Apr 1, 2010 | 07:49 PM
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Originally Posted by NemeSS
ls2 gasket 4.045 bore .051 compressed. lq4 gaskets is same bore but .058 compressed
the 317 heads came on 4.00 bore engines and came with larger bore gaskets obviously. compare the chambers and u will see the difference.
may need 4.0+ bore gaskets with 317 heads and 3.78 5.3 bore.
the 241 came on 3.9 bore, so thats y used 5.3/5.7 h.o. gaskets.
gotcha, appreciate the info
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