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Iron 5.3 block question

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Old Jun 10, 2011 | 01:47 PM
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Default Iron 5.3 block question

I am not sure if this should be in gen 3 or gen 4 internal engine section so if I'm wrong sorry in advance. I was thinking of rolling the dice and getting a shortblock off ebay that is built using the cast iron 5.3 block with stock ls1 internals for 1000 dollars just to get my car back on the road until I can afford to build my engine the way I want to. What is the difference in weight between my stock ls1 block and a cast iron 5.3? Is there any issues with these blocks?
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Old Jun 10, 2011 | 02:19 PM
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My understanding is about 75lbs. I wouldnt think there are any issues other than the weight diff between them. I had actually thought of doing the same thing when the time comes. Get one and let us all know how well it holds up. Hell, for $1000 thats about the cost of a good used 6.0 engine that who knows how was previously treated or maintained. I think its a good deal personally.
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Old Jun 10, 2011 | 03:29 PM
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Id get a 6.0 personally. unless the block is bored to a ls1 all the internals between the two are the same except for balancing of the internals. Basically your buying a stock 5.3 unless like I said earlier its bored out. But for another few hundred bucks you could get a low mileage 6.0 if you look around you would beable to find a 6.0 for that maybe even alittle cheaper.
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Old Jun 10, 2011 | 03:56 PM
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you say just to get your car running again, then i would look at the salvage yards in your area you should be able to find a low mileage 5.3 or a 6.0 to install as a long block cheaper than a short block on e-bay.
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Old Jun 10, 2011 | 08:09 PM
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I just need a shortblock because I already have some 243 heads and a new cam I wanted to install. I have low compression on cylinder 7 with 125,000 miles I would rather use a new shortblock than a used out of a salvage yard. I am a GM tech so labor is no problem.
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Old Jun 10, 2011 | 08:25 PM
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Originally Posted by parks450
Id get a 6.0 personally. unless the block is bored to a ls1 all the internals between the two are the same except for balancing of the internals. Basically your buying a stock 5.3 unless like I said earlier its bored out. But for another few hundred bucks you could get a low mileage 6.0 if you look around you would beable to find a 6.0 for that maybe even alittle cheaper.
The iron 5.3 block is bored to use stock ls1 pistons. Its cheaper than a reman ls1 and has the iron block to boot, not that it matters at what kind of power stock stuff is reliable at...
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Old Jun 13, 2011 | 07:38 AM
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I've heard that the 5.3 aluminum and the LS1 blocks are factory rated up to 650hp and the iron 5.3L is rated to somewhere between 800 and 900 hp and I've read on here a cpl different poeple boring the 5.3L iron block out to the 6.0L bore at 4.007 or whatever but that's pushing it a little IMO . If it were me , that does make sense what the previous posters are saying about getting a 6.0L engine that runs for now , then later when time and money permit rebuild the 6.0 maybe make it a 6.2L and BUILD IT right . Just my .02 cents
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Old Jun 15, 2011 | 09:50 PM
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I found a brand new 5.3 iron block for 99 dollars so I decided to go that route for now and build it with a stock crank, eagle rods, and some probe pistons. It will run me about 1500 for a short block once I'm done with misc and I can use the 243 heads, fast 90, and new cam I already have. I am going to mill the heads and try to get 13:1 or 14:1 and get it tuned for e85.
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Old Jun 16, 2011 | 12:12 AM
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Yea i picked up my 06 model LQ4 with roughly 36,xxx miles, fully assembled ready to bolt in for 700 bucks. Craigslist is where i found mine. The 6.0s have alot more power and can handle alot more. If you decide you still want to go with a 5.3 ive got a used one in my shop that i took in on partial trade in for a engine swap i did for a guy and ive been askin 500 for it. Its fully assembled ready to go with about 150,xxx miles.
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