Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Stock 5.3 Upgrades

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 5, 2012 | 11:13 PM
  #1  
jonnyv713's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 43
Likes: 2
Default Stock 5.3 Upgrades

I was planning to do a turbo build in my Cutlass, but money is not permitting it right now. So, I am going NA for the time being. I am getting a junkyard 5.3 out of a truck, and I just want to do a few upgrades that I have some questions about.

I want to do a Z06 cam and an LS6 intake on it, and maybe some headers. Will I need to retune to run these?

Also, I will need to get a new converter for my th400. WIth that cam, what has worked good for you guys? I am going to drive this car on the street mostly, and go to the strip occasionally. What would be best?

Thanks in advance guys. I really appreciate the help.
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2012 | 06:03 AM
  #2  
supersick99z's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (66)
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 793
Likes: 0
From: NC
Default

Check out the dyno in the dyno section who is boosting a stock 5.3 with ls6 cam at 6 psi. Pretty impressive stuff he has, but I'm pretty sure he has some details on his build you might be interested in seeing
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2012 | 07:11 AM
  #3  
Daniel0026's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Default

Once you start swapping cams in and out it is always best to do a tune. A tune will make sure that you are getting the most power/improvement/efficiency out of your new cam as well as physically see the changes that the swap made to make informed decisions on upgrades in the future. So: tune needed and recommended.
Im running a th400 also but I have a pretty high stall at about 3600. Im driving street/strip and the converter slips a little too much for a DD. Check out some of our sponsors, I was talking to one guy who was a sponsor on here about a converter and he was extremely helpful. I will try to get his name for you.
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2012 | 09:29 AM
  #4  
SN-95's Avatar
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 51
Likes: 0
Default

If you are still looking at going with a turbo later and money is tight, make sure to keep that plan in mind when buying a converter so you wont have to swap later.
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2012 | 10:34 PM
  #5  
jonnyv713's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 43
Likes: 2
Default

Alright thanks guys. Is there a way I can affordably tune myself?
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2012 | 12:04 PM
  #6  
Daniel0026's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Default

Have you tuned anything before? You can have someone drive-and-tune with a handheld, thats the cheapest way to go...
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2012 | 01:07 PM
  #7  
jonnyv713's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 43
Likes: 2
Default

Originally Posted by Daniel0026
Have you tuned anything before? You can have someone drive-and-tune with a handheld, thats the cheapest way to go...
No I have not, but I think I should learn. What kind of handheld would they be using? Can I buy this?
Reply
Old Mar 7, 2012 | 08:39 PM
  #8  
Daniel0026's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Raleigh, NC
Default

There are a few different brands/styles for sale. Basically its like a laptop and tuner in one. You can see the readings and change tuning features on the handheld and then it flashes the engine ecm. It plugs into an obd port. This is a cost effective tune-it-for-the-street approach and I use it for customers with street driven only cars with bolt on type mods. For specific brands and what people like/dislike, try a search on here or flip through your favorite catalog, they all function similarly. Once you decide and build a fi setup, I would highly recommend and dyno tune though.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 10, 2012 | 02:09 AM
  #9  
jonnyv713's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 43
Likes: 2
Default

Well... I have decided to go carbed! I think this is the right choice. I bought a 5.3 tonight with 40,000 miles tonight and no wiring harness.

My plans are to run a Victor Jr, MSD 6010 box, and a Holley 750 DP, longtubes, and a gnarly cam.

I will be running a TH400 and around a 3000 stall I believe, that is what I was told to stick around. I suppose that will depend on the cam though also.

My question is, what cam should I run? I wanna stay cost efficient but I will spend as much as I need to. I read that with the carbed set up, I want a tighter LSA, 111 at most, with 108-109 being best? Not too sure, Its gonna be a street car that will go to the strip occasionally. I like a lopey idle too!

I was looking at the Edelbrock 2215 with a 11 LSA, but it only has .510 lift, and I think I would want a little more?
Reply
Old Mar 10, 2012 | 11:47 PM
  #10  
garygnu's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,445
Likes: 4
Default

look at comp 54-455-11.
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 03:51 PM
  #11  
jonnyv713's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 43
Likes: 2
Default

I ended up getting a TR224-12 from a guy on here. Should do pretty good I think. I'm at a stand still right now because of money, but I did get my new valve springs today. I will get those on and save up some cash to move forward!
Reply
Old Apr 16, 2012 | 08:38 PM
  #12  
batboy's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 2
From: middle of nowhere, Kansas
Default

You can't tune for a cam with a handheld tuner. You'll need something like HP Tuners and a laptop. It's fairly complicated. I'd recommend having an experience tuner do it.
Reply
Old Apr 23, 2012 | 11:17 PM
  #13  
jonnyv713's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 43
Likes: 2
Default

Originally Posted by batboy
You can't tune for a cam with a handheld tuner. You'll need something like HP Tuners and a laptop. It's fairly complicated. I'd recommend having an experience tuner do it.
I ended up going carbureted... Thanks though bud
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:29 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE