5.3 mods
5.3 mods Im looking to get a 5.3 truck in the near future. I know people are putting ls6 cams in them. I was wondering what yall thought about 5.3 with ls6 cam, ls1 heads, and ls1 or ls6 intake.
LS6 cam and LS6 valve springs work pretty good in a 5.3 truck, but the Comp Cams 212/218 cam is better. I would not do LS1 heads, they will lower the compression ratio too much and flow is not any better. The LS1 intake sucks and the LS6 intake will have interference problems unless it's modded.
Teching In
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From: Jax fl
5.3 gto cam Hi, highjacking this thread with similar question about this set up. I have a 5.3 with 862 heads and a gto cam. also have 1.75 rockers. will this set up work for a 3000# street car?
what valve springs stock or gto?
thanks for your time.
what valve springs stock or gto?
thanks for your time.
LS6 cam and LS6 valve springs work pretty good in a 5.3 truck, but the Comp Cams 212/218 cam is better. I would not do LS1 heads, they will lower the compression ratio too much and flow is not any better. The LS1 intake sucks and the LS6 intake will have interference problems unless it's modded.
The accessory brackets and alternator is what interfers (I think). Notice how the truck intake is really tall? I know the LS6 manifold can be swapped, but you have to mod some stuff. The truck intake manifold is pretty good anyway, you'll not gain much.
Which GTO cam and springs? 2004 LS1 or 2005-2006 LS2? Don't use the LS1 springs. Some of the LS2 springs are the same as the LS6 springs and some are wimpy. Since you have higher ratio rockers, I'd invest in new springs, at least LS6 ones.
Which GTO cam and springs? 2004 LS1 or 2005-2006 LS2? Don't use the LS1 springs. Some of the LS2 springs are the same as the LS6 springs and some are wimpy. Since you have higher ratio rockers, I'd invest in new springs, at least LS6 ones.
Teching In
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From: Jax fl
springs ok got the lowdown apparently the cam & springs are from a 04 gto.
so back to square 1 the heads are on the motor with no springs but
have shims in seats. he had a big cam that was set up by a gm specialist
in the 5.3 before he bought the gto motor and swaped over the cam &
springs
. I got the left overs .
do I need to remove the shims or leave them there before instaling new springs?
Also are ls3 cams good for this set up?
how about ls3 cams good or useless? are yellow gm springs any good?
thanks again
so back to square 1 the heads are on the motor with no springs but
have shims in seats. he had a big cam that was set up by a gm specialist
in the 5.3 before he bought the gto motor and swaped over the cam &
springs
. I got the left overs .
do I need to remove the shims or leave them there before instaling new springs?
Also are ls3 cams good for this set up?
how about ls3 cams good or useless? are yellow gm springs any good?
thanks again
Last edited by ronjax; Apr 3, 2012 at 06:37 PM. Reason: adding more
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no the manifold itself isnt what needs to be modded the idler pulley needs to be moved or removed the water pump neck interferes with the throttle linkage theres a couple different ways to address that issue either by "massaging" the neck to clear , running an f- body pump with 3/4 inch spacers or the newer ls3 vette pump with i believe inch n a quarter spacers and the coolant crossover tube either needs to be modified or replaced with the ls6 crossover n block off's
TECH Apprentice
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From: osawatomie ks
Ive been reading up on mods for the 5.3l in my 04 Avalanche, and from what I gather I would be better off having my stock intake ported rather than swap to an LS6 intake. I just saw a thread the other day a company was advertising porting and polishing for truck intakes and TBs for $325 if you send them yours with a 3 day turn around. I would have to do some looking to find the thread again but if I find it Ill post a link
Do you mean a stock LS3 cam? Better do some research, I was thinking they had only a single bolt instead of the gen III three bolts for the timing gear. LS3 cams generally have a bigger duration split pattern than you probably want.
Either an LS6 cam 2001 has .525" lift or 2002-2004 has .551" lift or an LS2 cam is the same as the 2001 LS6 cam . You can find 1 in the classifieds here 4 about $50-60 but You'll need the newer timing cover that has the cam sensor in the timing cover (Rupperts used auto in Ok for $35 plus shipping) and the LS2 chain and gears and lengthen the cam sensor wires and switch the 2 outside wires . Brand new GM yellow springs at Fred Beans Parts 4 $59
Either an LS6 cam 2001 has .525" lift or 2002-2004 has .551" lift or an LS2 cam is the same as the 2001 LS6 cam . You can find 1 in the classifieds here 4 about $50-60 but You'll need the newer timing cover that has the cam sensor in the timing cover (Rupperts used auto in Ok for $35 plus shipping) and the LS2 chain and gears and lengthen the cam sensor wires and switch the 2 outside wires . Brand new GM yellow springs at Fred Beans Parts 4 $59
Registered User
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I have a question I bought an LSA cam off a cts-v and want to install it in my 5.3l what mods will I have to make I know I need a single bolt cover meaning I'm gonna need to change timing gear chain also will a ls3 timing gear fit the same eat as the one from my 5.3
Teching In
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After reading a few threads and this one, I've come to the conclusion that I might have messed up.
02' Chevy 1500 5.3 motor. Has 317 heads, ls9 headgaskets, mild port on exhaust to match the 5.3 manifolds. Otherwise stock. I bought a 2013 camaro ss ls3 cam, springs, chain, cam gear. I was reading some 3 bolt cam I have in the car now, and the ls3 is a single bolt. I'm not a genius, but that don't sound good to me.
Option 1 sell cam, springs ect ect.....buy the right cam.
Option 2, buy lower cover plate, do some **** with cam sensor...... ect ect.(No ****** clue)
Option 3, remove motor from chevelle and drop in 496 BBC, cause these ls motors and so many options are sounding like Honda's and all there Bullshit.
02' Chevy 1500 5.3 motor. Has 317 heads, ls9 headgaskets, mild port on exhaust to match the 5.3 manifolds. Otherwise stock. I bought a 2013 camaro ss ls3 cam, springs, chain, cam gear. I was reading some 3 bolt cam I have in the car now, and the ls3 is a single bolt. I'm not a genius, but that don't sound good to me.
Option 1 sell cam, springs ect ect.....buy the right cam.
Option 2, buy lower cover plate, do some **** with cam sensor...... ect ect.(No ****** clue)
Option 3, remove motor from chevelle and drop in 496 BBC, cause these ls motors and so many options are sounding like Honda's and all there Bullshit.
I have a 2001 5.3 lm7 with 208-218 .550 lift ls6 cam, ls6 intake manifold, stock heads milled .030, with ls6 sprigs and correct pushrods. Longtubes and a tune made 320 hp on a chassis dyno in my firebird. About to put a 150 shot on it.