Hey 70TWO NOVA, did you use the stock 5.3 connecting rods?

 

Is this not just a l33. L33 have flat top pistons. I believe this is what GM did to raise the horsepower in this motors.

 

yes, I used the stock 5.3l rods, I heard about this mod from Camaro Performers Mag. They built a 5.3 for their project Track Rat and used the 4.8l pistons in it. With my setup I should have around 9.75:1 comp. You would have more if you use the stock 5.3 heads. (im using a set of 317 heads milled .030= 66cc)

 

I don't know how much those pistons cost, but why not just have the engine honed to 3.89x and install OEM LS1 pistons and rods? The cost of rods and pistons should be almost nothing and with the hone you know you will have a proper ring seal. You'll also end up with 346ish cubic inches. The cost should be comparable and if not only slightly more for the LS1 piston setup that'll make more power.

 

Yeah your right, im sure you could do it for less. I paid $176 for the 4.8 pistons and $35 to have them put on the old rods. Ive see LS1 pistons and rods for like 40 bucks. But I dont know what a bore and hone would cost to get them in there. I just went with the 4.8s because it was something different and I wanted to keep it a 5.3l.

 

this is too cool i'm thinking of picking up a 70-73 camaro and a 5.3l build like this or the 5.3 with 5.7 pistons and rods would do nice work for that.

 

I know around here because you are removing so much material from the cylinders that they charge for two hones. It comes out to being right around $200 for the finish hone to piston size. My friend has done quite a few of them this way. He had a way of picking up 5.3 engines with problems for extremely cheap. He's done a lot of cool swaps with them S10, 300zx, mustangs, a 240sx, but all were bored to 3.89x with LS1 pistons.

 

Wiseco is now making forged pistons for the 5.3/4.8. Try checking with them.

 

part #?....

 

K474M96 - 3.78 Bore/3.622 Stroke/6.098 Rod/Flat Top w/2.2cc valve relief

K474M965 - 3.80 Bore/3.622 Stroke/6.125 Rod/Flat Top w/2.2cc valve relief

K473M96 - 3.78 Bore/4.00 Stroke/6.098 Rod/7cc Dish w/ valve relief

K473M965 - 3.80 Bore/4.00 Stroke/6.125 Rod/7cc Dish w/ valve relief

 

Did this build end up working good for you? I'm planning on doing this because I broke a piston on my 4.8 and have a 5.3 with low compression. Just wondering if it worked so I can just buy the pistons and use the crank and rods from the 5.3

 

It worked great, car put down 311 hp to the ground on a chassis dyno through a 4L60E so we think the engine is makeing around 375hp or so.

 

pleeze tell me you are joking......some idiot is really gonna do that now. Lol

 

Read the WHOLE thread next time. Go down a few posts.
Vannatta says, "Just teasing, my buddy".

 

as far as balancing. check the bob weight for a 4.8 vs 5.3vs 6.0, but then I have put together a butt load of gen 1 without balancing.

 

Yea, I know - this is an old thread. The big trouble I see with using these 5.3 liter truck motors in a car is the 5.3 liter oil pan. It hangs down a lot.Typically, maybe two inches or so. Yes, the 5.3 liter engines are abundant and cheap but you do need to budget for a different oil pan. Otherwise, you are going to leave your engine oil on the street someday and quickly weld up the internal parts of your engine into a pasty grey metallic pulp.

I had to go with the Holley 302-2 pan on my El Camino to avoid this problem.

Rick

 

sometimes it's the little things that get ya caught up.........thousands into an ls swap but too cheap to get the right pan,might wanna cancel that 102mm throttle body and get the right pan, plan on running before running fast....

 

Speed way has LS1 pan kits for 200 bucks....

 

I used an Fbody pan in the 80 camaro this motor went in. It worked great

 

what if you put ls1 pistons on a 4.8 crank and rods , will it work and what would it displace?