5.3L build help
5.3L build help I picked up a 5.3 with only 60k on it and tore it down lastnight and its pretty clean and the internals are still in great shape, I'm wanting to do a basic bolt on w/H/C build. I have my bolt on's figured out and heads but I need help with the cam decision. I'm wanting to be making around 350-380hp but I have no idea which cam to get. I've researched and alot of people say if on a budget to get an 03 ls6 cam and springs since they are cheap, then I read more and it says that the ls6 cam doesn't make that big of a difference and to go with something else.
I haven't done any engine builds in the past, this is my first, so I'm looking for some help on which cam to get. The car will be a DD for awhile so I don't want something to crazy that will kill my mpg (I'm getting 13 w/ my ls1 right now), but I'd like something that will still lay down decent numbers like I mentioned in the first paragraph.
Thanks Zac.
I haven't done any engine builds in the past, this is my first, so I'm looking for some help on which cam to get. The car will be a DD for awhile so I don't want something to crazy that will kill my mpg (I'm getting 13 w/ my ls1 right now), but I'd like something that will still lay down decent numbers like I mentioned in the first paragraph.
Thanks Zac.
I really wouldn't expect good help choosing a cam without telling what heads. Which casting number, and who ported them, to which stage.
The power level you're asking for is pretty easy, even with a "baby cam" if the heads are good enough. The TFS top end kit for the 5.3L does 456 HP on an engine dyno, with a 216 / 220, -114, 560 / 560 cam.
A pure stock LS1 can see 440 HP from the 212 / 218 -113+4, 531 / 531 Lunati VooDoo cam, on an engine dyno. That's a good mild cam, elsewhere demonstrated to be 30 horses up from the '02-'04 LS6 cam.
Or did you want your 380 horses at the rear wheels? If so, which transmission will you be using?
The power level you're asking for is pretty easy, even with a "baby cam" if the heads are good enough. The TFS top end kit for the 5.3L does 456 HP on an engine dyno, with a 216 / 220, -114, 560 / 560 cam.
A pure stock LS1 can see 440 HP from the 212 / 218 -113+4, 531 / 531 Lunati VooDoo cam, on an engine dyno. That's a good mild cam, elsewhere demonstrated to be 30 horses up from the '02-'04 LS6 cam.
Or did you want your 380 horses at the rear wheels? If so, which transmission will you be using?
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,445
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consider some trick flow small bore heads,or a 243 heads with stock valves.$25 more for a custom cam from Patrick-G over a shelf cam.what intake do you have?243 heads with a good valve job a tr224 at 112 lsa,with a ls6 intake mite make 380 rwhp.
The motor came with 862 heads, I was going to use them until I found a set of 243's of 315's for cheap. I was looking at 380 at the flywheel. I have a truck intake and ls1 intake which from what I've read are pretty much the same but the truck intake gives a little more power up top but I was planning on buying a ls6 intake if I could find one for cheap.
And I have a t56 to pair with the motor.
And I have a t56 to pair with the motor.
