5.3 engine build
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
5.3 engine build Hey everyone I'm looking for some info. I'm going to be rebuilding my chevy truck 5.3 and I'm thinking about stroking it to a 383 and possibly twin turbo. I'm looking for suggestions on cams, if the stocks heads ported out are good enough or aftermarket suggestions, intake suggestions I know the truck intake is great for low range torque but how about with this build are their better options? I'm looking to make some serious torque and power but don't want to sacrifice too much low end being in a truck.
If you go NA then you want a high compression setup - Flat Top Pistons and a moderately aggressive cam.
If you go Twin Turbo you want a low compression motor and a turbo grind cam.
Well, the cam is going to be different for N/A or Turbo. You need to first figure out if you're going to stay N/A or go Turbo. Once you've figured that out, then you can get the correct cam for you application. On a side note, if you are going turbo, I wouldn't waste time and money going with a 383. Stock 5.3 turbo cars/trucks are making HUGE power.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?
Pouria Savadkouei
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
stock 5.3 w/ a ls6 cam & springs can easily get you up to 600 hp safely without touching the bottom end. A good friend of mine has a 2003 silverado boosting 550 conservatively with his stock 5.3 and it's lasted him for the past 4 years 35,000+ miles considering he also uses the truck to tow his wake boarding boat on occassion and takes the truck up the mountains for snowboarding every winter. It's seen a lot of abuse and has held up fine.
And the best part is you can do it safely on the stock bottom end. People blow **** up when they get too greedy and keep feeing it more and more boost. In regards to the bottom end, ARP rod bolts would be a great investment and help secure the bottom end. Take some time and check out the FI section on here. There is even a thread about 5.3's and what kind of power they are making.
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I am thinking about sort of the same project. Had my sights on an all aluminum 6.2 from an escalade but that deal fell through on me but can get me hands on a 5.3, wondering what kind of options I could have with the 5.3, had already done some homework on the 6.2 but now plans will have to change... Building it for a S-10 mostly drag truck but always have to drive it around town some too....
I'd hit up Martin Smallwood (Tick Performance) for the cam. They have some shelf turbo cams that would probably work, or he could do you up a custom cam. Are you going twin turbos, or a larger single? In the near future, I'm going to get a junkyard LQ4 and go with a S480 turbo.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
I'd hit up Martin Smallwood (Tick Performance) for the cam. They have some shelf turbo cams that would probably work, or he could do you up a custom cam. Are you going twin turbos, or a larger single? In the near future, I'm going to get a junkyard LQ4 and go with a S480 turbo.