5.3l with 4.8l pistons
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.
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.
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Verdad Gallardo 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
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
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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.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 661
Likes: 91
From: S.F. East bay
pleeze tell me you are joking......some idiot is really gonna do that now. Lol
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Joined: Dec 2017
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From: Bossier City, Louisiana
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
I had to go with the Holley 302-2 pan on my El Camino to avoid this problem.
Rick
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 661
Likes: 91
From: S.F. East bay
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
I had to go with the Holley 302-2 pan on my El Camino to avoid this problem.
Rick
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 661
Likes: 91
From: S.F. East bay
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.