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

Need help calculating 5.3 compression

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 6, 2012 | 03:35 PM
  #1  
northcorner's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Riesel Texas
Default Need help calculating 5.3 compression

I'm not asking anyone to calculate it for me. I need the dish cc for stock '04 LM7 pistons, and how far out of the hole are they ( if any). I tried the search feature, google, etc. with mixed results.

Last edited by northcorner; Nov 6, 2012 at 05:01 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2012 | 06:01 PM
  #2  
batboy's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 2
From: middle of nowhere, Kansas
Default

I thought the LM7 used flattop pistons? As for how far out of the hole, you have to measure it. But, LS engines typically are about .005 to .006 above the deck.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2012 | 10:05 PM
  #3  
northcorner's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Riesel Texas
Default

Originally Posted by batboy
I thought the LM7 used flattop pistons? As for how far out of the hole, you have to measure it. But, LS engines typically are about .005 to .006 above the deck.
Thank you for your reply. .005 to .006 has been the consensus on how far out of the hole the stock piston is, so far. The '04 LM7 pistons have a dish, it appears that the dish is the same on all LM7 engines, but so far no one has a spec on them. I thought for sure that GM had some info, but I just can't unearth it. I'm not sure why it's so hard to find a measurement that is blueprinted with GM, on such a popular platform.
Reply
Old Nov 6, 2012 | 10:41 PM
  #4  
batboy's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 2
From: middle of nowhere, Kansas
Default

Vortec 4.8 / 5.3 differences: GM used a shorter stroke crankshaft in the 4.8L and a longer connecting rod. 99 to 03 or so, the 4.8L's all had completely flat top pistons. 5.3L's had a slight dish. However, after about 2004 sometime, the 5.3L's could have true flattop's. So really the BEST way to tell is measure stroke, or casting number on crankshaft. Of course if you are standing in-front of a vehicle, you can look at the VIN#. 8th digit is the Engine, 10th digit is the year. T = 5.3L LM7, V= 4.8L LR4, Z = 5.3L L59 Flex Fuel
Does your pistons have a true dish or just small valve reliefs? I've seen several references that said -2cc valve reliefs.
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2012 | 08:54 AM
  #5  
northcorner's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Riesel Texas
Default

They have a true dish. I've also seen the 2cc reference, but also seen a 7 to 8 cc reference, but nothing definitive.
Attached Thumbnails Need help calculating 5.3 compression-img_1791.jpg  
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2012 | 10:47 AM
  #6  
batboy's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,309
Likes: 2
From: middle of nowhere, Kansas
Default

Maybe I'm thinking of the L33 having flattops.

When I crunched the numbers on the compression ratio calculator, looks like the dish is probably about -7 to arrive at the advertised stock CR.
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2012 | 12:24 PM
  #7  
chrisfrost's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 16
From: phx the cactus patch
Default

Hello , I measured My 1999 5.3L stock dished pistons at 9cc
Also a really good source for engine and car calculators is Wallace Racing . They have evry calc You can think of and many more like static comp, dynamic comp, all You're cam calcs, 1/4 n 1/8th mile et, gear ratios, check it out honestly there are probably 100 to 150 different calcs maybe more and They're free

As far as piston out of hole ,,,,,,,I could'nt get an exact measurement but I used feeler gauges and it appeared that They were out of hole roughly .015" ,,,,,,hope this helps

Last edited by chrisfrost; Nov 7, 2012 at 12:49 PM.
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2012 | 12:29 PM
  #8  
northcorner's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 55
Likes: 0
From: Riesel Texas
Default

Thank you guys.
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 Nov 7, 2012 | 12:50 PM
  #9  
chrisfrost's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 16
From: phx the cactus patch
Default

You're welcome ,,,,,,,,,and I edited My last post .
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2012 | 04:36 PM
  #10  
zpi28's Avatar
Teching In
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: Marion, AR
Default

What is the advertised Comp. of the LM4?
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:51 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