I've been coming to this web site for years, getting info from here, there, everywhere and the one place that I always come back to is this site. I guess I'm a little over due to become a member here, LoL.

I'm going to be doing some major overhaul to my 01 Silverado soon and I'm going to be needing some expert advice (the reason I came here, hehe).

All the below parts are going on/into a 5.3 LM7 engine that I'm rebuilding to put into a Cali 01 Silverado Z71 (still have to pass the sniffer, keep this in mind). The truck has 207k on it and its about time I worked up a rebuild list for a new motor project to go into it. Any and all help with adding/changing to this list would be great as this will be my first major overhaul of an engine like this. The engine will be bored to LS1 stats at a shop I know, the guy said to bring $200 cash and a pack of beer and we'll have at it, sounded good to me. I will be using the original crank in it as it already has the same stats as the LS1 anyway. My budget for the rebuild is around 3.5k, most of it is going towards the heads/cam from Texas Speed (pretty sure those are what I would like to run but unsure if it will pass smog with those).

The way I figure, what could it hurt to do it all myself, I have the tools, might as well. :-D


Precision Race Components Stage 2.5 LS6 Heads & Cam Package: Item # 199-PKG3 Price: $2,069.99 at Texas Speed
Cam needed for Cali Smog (included with PRC heads): Texas Speed 220R 114 LSA cam
Update: After a little more research and a bit of guess work, I'm going to be going with the 5.3 2.5 heads that PRC offers as they will save me some $$$ in the long run and get me the same results as I'm not going for race power but more reliability and towing power.
Precision Race Components Stg. 2.5 5.3L Heads & Cam Package: Item # 199-PKG1 Price: $1,779.99 at TSP
Cam needed for Cali Smog (included with PRC heads): Texas Speed 220R 114 LSA cam

Timing Chain Assy: Cloyes Billet Steel Timing Set P/N 9-3672TX9Z Price: $267.95 @ Summit
Update: Leaning towards the Comp Cams Double Roller set CCA-7106 Price: $127.95 @ Summit (Less than 1/2 than Cloyes)
Question??? Will the Comp Cams Double Roller set fit under a stock 5.3 cover or will I run into complications here?

Not sure as to which pistons & rings as of yet. (a little help here)

Rod Bearings: SLP-8-7100CH Price: $56.95 @ Summit

Main Bearings: CLE-MS2199H Price: $149.95 @ Summit
Update: Main Bearings: CLE-MS2199P Price: $85.95 @ Summit (Thanks for the tip RezinTexas)

Connecting Rods: SCA-26100927 Price: $332.95 @ Summit

Headers: Gibson GIB-GP116S Price: $529.95 @ Summit

Spark Plug Wires: Katech MS KAT-A6442 Price: $215.99 @ Katech Motorsports (I have a set of MSD's but would like to run these)
Update: Going with Davis Unified Wires P/N C9LSRD for $115.00 @ Summit to save some $$$

Intake: Staying with the stock 5.3 intake but will look into a new TB

Ignition: I'm looking for a set of MSD Coil Packs to go on the engine but damn, thats $$$$. So LS7 packs should work in their place. Price: Find set on Ebay
Update: If my truck coils will work for this application then I've no need for anything higher correct???? MSD is nice but damn, the $$$ shelled out for that I would rather put into the Fast 102mm intake.

Programmer: Not sure yet, too much as of now to afford 1, any help on this???? (Not going to get a programmer, going with dyno tune when it's all said and done)

Oil Pump: Chevy Performance Pump NAL-17801830 Price: $99.95 @ Summit

* Update: Total Cost thus far $3,128.69~ not including SH, tax, or any labor charges as of yet. Price still needs to come down a bit as I still need parts for this build.

Thanks for the help gang.

(A few updates done on the list.....see above.)

 

Personally, I would just send out the current heads you have to AI and get them ported.

Also it might be overkill to spend $268 on a timing chain, you can go with the C5R chain for $150 or even an LS2 chain for $50 and still be a good upgrade.

As far as pistons on a budget, get some Mahle's flat tops and maybe some basic I beam rods.

For the money, you can get truck coils or LS2 coils and be ok.

Then get it all tuned, don't bother with a handheld programmer on a h/c engine.

 

If it were me- I would run the LS2 chain along with some new LS7 wires and stock coils. That alone will save you some money. All those parts will work just fine with what you are trying to do. Spend the money on a good quality tune and it will pay off in the end.

The engine will be bored to LS1 stats at a shop I know, the guy said to bring $200 cash and a pack of beer and we'll have at it....


Make sure you commence the drinking after the machine work

 

LOL

Will do!

Thanks for the help guys. Also, is there someone in here that would be able to tell me if the head & cam combo I'm looking at will pass the Cali sniffer????

 

I was also wondering what the voltage values are from the stock 5.3 coils to the LS2 coils, LS7 coils, MSD coils and so on. Obviously the MSD coils would be the best bet for voltage through the ignition but is it actually cost effective for my application?

 

Might as well been my post! LOL Dead on what I was going to post.
I have a set of heads that would perform up to par VS the ls6 heads you are looking at for much cheaper.

Leave stock coils... The MSDs are a waste for what you are doing. Put the money somewhere else.

 

Some things I would also include if not included already are oil pump, lifters, lifter trays, and new head and main bolts. I agree with the guys above I would not spend the money on the msd coils, the stock coil will do more than you need. As far as pistons you have tons of options whether it is Wiseco, Diamond, Mahle and many others all make something that will fit your budget and goals. Also don’t spend money on a handheld programmer, it won’t be able to do what you need, just get a good dyno tune once it is all done

 

O_O

Could you put up some flow numbers? And what cam would you recomend? I'm almost leaning more for the cheaTR V3 cam vs the 220R from TS.

 

if you're using the stock crankshaft, go with Clevite P series main bearings. that will save you some money.

 

Not going with the stock cam, please look at the top post.

oops.....way too strung out on coffee.....LoL ma bad!! And yes, I will be staying with the stock crankshaft. The shop I'm going to have the engine board out at also has a balancer and I can have it checked there for about $20 (or in my case, another 6 pack for the tech doing it, LoL).

 

I'm sure you guys have had this question before but just in case. Will the L76 p/n 12590123 work with the LS6 heads combo or am I second guessing myself over my stock truck intake?

NVM, that intake will only work on LS3/L92 heads :-(

 

RevinTexas said Crankshaft not cam.Your truck intake will work fine.You will need bigger injectors.

 

I was looking at the LS2 Z06 injectors for this motor, shouldn't be that much.

 

Thanks for the help guys, please see first post as I do update it for new parts and pricing.

Also, as I am looking at purchasing a set of LS6 heads, what intakes would work for these or can I still get away with using the stock 5.3 intake?

 

Interesting thread, curious to see where everything lands when you are done. What are your plans after the engine is built? Ever plan to go FI?

 

Well, the plan is to replace the worn 5.3 engine I currently have in my 01 Silverado Z71. The engine is staying FI as that is how the engine was suppose to be set up. You could run carbs on it but I don't think the smog police would look at that too kindly where I'm at.

 

Quick question????

What do you guys think of the LS1 engine rebuild kits on Ebay, like the one I've provided below.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2001-Chevy-P...70829799155%26

I'm just trying to keep the costs down and this may be a great way to start. Any ideas, thoughts, rants....let me know.

 

No, way.. It was fuel injected already? From the factory? Was that extra?

FI - Forced Induction

Turbo / Super charger

 

LoL

I work nights, not enough coffee in me just yet

No, it will be N/A.

 

I've been doing a bit of reading and some study on LSX engines. What I've found is that if I do have good compression across all 8 pistons, don't have any "blow by", and my last smog turns out like it would stock. Wouldn't it be safe to assume that all 8 cylinders are in proper working order? If thats the case, if I were to to a head, cam, header, + other bolt on's that the lower end should take it? Or am I just better off doing the whole engine given it does have 207k on it?

Just looking for ways to cut some $$$ of the price of a rebuild. Looking for better than stock #'s at the same, if not better, reliability and streetability.