boaring the 5.3l block........
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: wauconda, il
boaring the 5.3l block........ was wondering what the max bore would be on a stock 5.3l block? i have heard that you can boar the cyl. to accept the 5.7 pistons. has anyone heard of this, if so, what are the advantages of going this route instead of just using the aluminum 5.7? 
I know of one guy who bored his 5.3 block to a 3.905 bore
he did this to use it for a forced induction application for its streagth.
Alot of us FI guys are using the aluminum block (some with over 800rwhp) and havent had a problem with the strength of the aluminum yet.
i wouldnt use the cast iron block unless you use the 6.0 to go bigger then a a 4" bore.
unless you have a 5.3 sitting around and just want to play with it.
he did this to use it for a forced induction application for its streagth.
Alot of us FI guys are using the aluminum block (some with over 800rwhp) and havent had a problem with the strength of the aluminum yet.
i wouldnt use the cast iron block unless you use the 6.0 to go bigger then a a 4" bore.
unless you have a 5.3 sitting around and just want to play with it.
To be safe have the block sonic checked for wall thickness. We've seen several 5.3l blocks bored to 3.905" and it makes a nice upgrade for those with trucks, because then the intake valves can get upgraded to the larger 2.00" valves or even 2.02".
Good luck,
Richard
Good luck,
Richard
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: wauconda, il
thanks. im beginning to gather parts to swap an ls1 into my 78 malibu, and i can get my hands on a complete 5.3l for pretty cheap. just trying to get some diffrent opinions. i want to build a pretty healthy engine thats drivable on the street, but be able to give it a good amount of nitrous also.
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Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Albuquerque, NM
You said it right, Turbo, the truck engines are very cheap compared to the aluminum LS1/LS6 stuff. I just had a 5.3/4.8 block bored to 3.905 and aquired some other LS1 parts. Total build should come in around $1500. It's hard to get any type of LS1/LS6 engine that needs rebuild work for that amount. Now I am gonna go with a stroker kit to get things up to 382 cubes. Boring can be done on the aluminum blocks but there are steel sleeves inserted that have limited space to cut on. The 400+ cube engines are getting new sleeves installed which requires a very knowledgable machine shop. There are many out there now so just be careful if you go that route.
All in all, cost and weight will be the deciding factors. I may have been able to do the same work on an LS1 engine but where's the fun in that?!?
PS, I intend to take some pics of the buildup and post them later. Should have the stroker kit delivered by early April ( Eagle is redoing their cranks right now ).
All in all, cost and weight will be the deciding factors. I may have been able to do the same work on an LS1 engine but where's the fun in that?!?
PS, I intend to take some pics of the buildup and post them later. Should have the stroker kit delivered by early April ( Eagle is redoing their cranks right now ).
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7
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From: wauconda, il
thanks for the info guys. i was looking at the cost and reliability factor more than anything else. im not really interested in building a big bore engine. just something thats gonna be nice n/a, and even better on the spray. :-) guess i have some thinkin to do............
