Street Driven 5.3 What Heads/Cam
Street Driven 5.3 What Heads/Cam Hello All Im pretty new to the LSx world and currently gathering all the parts for my ls swap into an e30 bmw. Currently I have a 5.3 all stock, I have bought a ls1 intake, rails, injectors, and Fbody accessories so that it will fit in the tiny engine compartment. I will also be running sanderson block hugger headers. My goal is to have a quick street car with good all around power. My limitations are a low budget and shitty california 91 oct. I will be running a T56 and have the options of 2.93,3.73, and 4.10 diff. With all this being said would would be the best stock Heads and either stock or readily available aftermarket cam to get me a quick street car? I was hoping to get in the High 3s low 400 wheel range if that is possible with such a set up.
Thanks
Thanks
If going for a budget build I would just get your stock head done by AI and find yourself a used ($200) or new ($300) .550 lift z06 cam, or for $400 you can get the tried and true 224 cam...
Launching!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu, Hawaii
If your in Cali CBM or west coast cylinder heads in so cal to get your cnc head work done. (Cbm is in so cal not sure where west coast machine shop is at)You probably have 862 5.3L heads. Depends on what power your want for your build. A Cnc ported 5.3L heads makes its power on the lower end, and a cnc ported 243 heads make its power mid to high end. 5.3L head however are only good when ported and bigger flowing exhaust valves. If your budget build doesn't allow you to spend 1000$ on head work, I would go with set of used stock 243 or 799 usually around 300-400$, 243-799 heads best stock flowing head. Call CBM or west coast and see what they will charge for a new valve job and hott tank. Brain tooley duel valve springs good for cam swap budget. For a cam, comp cam 223/231 would be a good street able cam with awesome low end tq, comp cam 227/235 if you want to go alittle bigger. Them two are good for low end tq and broad power range, ask CBM&WC if they do custom cam grinds they should be able to hook you up. That ls1 intake manifold will choke you up abit. I would get rid of it and get a ls6 or ls2 intake manifold. Ls2 intake mani would be better alittle more expensive, ls6 alittle cheaper around 300$ or so. Ls1/ls6 intake mani have a three bolt throttle body, I know CBM makes a billet 4 bolt conversation plate so you install a 4bolt 90mm throttle body on a ls1/ls6 intake mani if you go that route. Hope this helps.
Launching!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Hello All Im pretty new to the LSx world and currently gathering all the parts for my ls swap into an e30 bmw. Currently I have a 5.3 all stock, I have bought a ls1 intake, rails, injectors, and Fbody accessories so that it will fit in the tiny engine compartment. I will also be running sanderson block hugger headers. My goal is to have a quick street car with good all around power. My limitations are a low budget and shitty california 91 oct. I will be running a T56 and have the options of 2.93,3.73, and 4.10 diff. With all this being said would would be the best stock Heads and either stock or readily available aftermarket cam to get me a quick street car? I was hoping to get in the High 3s low 400 wheel range if that is possible with such a set up.
Thanks
Thanks
Launching!
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 245
Likes: 0
From: Honolulu, Hawaii
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,445
Likes: 4
you can find used 243/799 heads for $400 in the used parts section.or check out a ls corvette forum .get a valve job .you can get a ls6 or a bbk intake used for $300.a Texas Speed torquer v2 cam should make close to 400 rwhp ,with a good tune.
