i have looked around here on LS1tech but there is soooooo much info so i am starting another thread as i'm a bit confused.

i grew up and got into V8s years ago when i was working in a machine shop and did a 318 for my old D100. while working there and learning more about high HP motors it seems that you take a certain factory OEM motor, take everything off it and throw in the dumpster and keep just the block. the more i look into the LSx platform and talk with the guys at the machine shop the more i am seeing that is NOT the case now. GM really did their homework on these and the LS is a VERY solid motor from the factory, only reason a 5.3 doesn't make 400hp "stock" if for emissions reasons, fuel economy, and that won't last 200k working that hard.

i am going for a 5.3 out off a 2001 GMC 1500 series truck that i plan to get this week. my brother worked in the mentioned machine shop for 7 years and still has a key to the place so we go there and tinker with things and have done a few motors, just finishing up a mild 4.0 jeep rebuild.

plan... tear 5.3 down to long block and inspect, bearings, seals, check oil for metal ect ect. if all is good new oil pump, water pump and seals.
i want a larger cam but, what's good and what do i need to change alone with it? i want max HP around 6,000-6,200 at most, 6k is preferred. i also wanted to change out the rockers as the stock ones are ok but not as good as i'd like. i was wondering if there is a good all included kit i can buy, cam lifters, springs, rockers, gaskets and everything so it's a one buy deal that has everything i need.

what do people recommend for parts and why?
what else needs to be upgraded as well, springs? push rods? rockers?

let me know what you guys think and i am going for 350+ crank HP which would put 275-285 HP at the wheels.
jeep... 1999 Jeep Cherokee, 4l60E trans, ???? trans case, on fab 609s, pushing 37in KM2s. not sure on the trans case yet still have 4 months to figure that part out.

 

I wouldn't get too far into the motor, honestly. No need to pull the caps off etc. The only things you'll need to achieve your goals are a comp 212/218 (265) low lift cam, 7.400" pushrods, and C5 Z06 springs. You can add the Z06 lifters and new retainers if the motor is really dirty when you pull it apart.

This and a good tune and you'll have huge torque from 1000 RPM while having the top end you're looking for. This is probably the best cam you could ever install in a 5.3, speaking from experience of course.

 

thanks for the info and why the push rod upgrade, stock can't handle the extra springs weight?
also any links or what model i should be using when i am looking for parts? google brings up way too many things and cams from $350 to 700

in all honesty i'm not looking for a good daily driver or even really useful motor. high HP and and very mean sound at idol is what i'm looking for but not much higher than 6,000RPM. this is just a toy jeep, like my horrible version of a muscle car on huge tires and 4 wheel drive.

 

You'll need new pushrods b/c all aftermarket cams have a smaller base circle than your OE one, so your stock pushrods will be too short. The cam i listed above will make power everywhere in a 5.3...my Silverado shifted at 6k and it was still pulling but I didn't want to break anything on a lifted truck with heavy wheels and BFG's.

How the 5.3 idles with this cam is all in the tune. It can have a moderate chop, light chop, or nearly smooth. Mine had a light chop at idle in park that went away in gear, just right IMO. But, that's what I wanted so that's how I tuned it.

You don't need a kit. Grind Number: LS1 XR265HR-14 is the cam, get 7.400" pushrods, then go down to your local Chevy dealer and get LS6 springs and an LS2 timing chain. On my phone so I cannot post links at this moment.

 

Oh thanks a lot. I'll look into that.

I'm heading out now to pick up the 5.3 today.

 

Got all this for 349 at a pick and pull yard. After I finish a few other things I'll be pulling this a part some.

 

Killer good deal on all these parts...

 

I'd also consider the Lunati VooDoo #20540710 (212/218 113lsa+4, lift .531"/.531"), and the SDPC HT1 Truck Cam # CC54-ST1-11 (214/218 111lsa+2, lift .559"/.562").

http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...oducts_id=4626
http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...oducts_id=5086

 

now that i have the motor i'll start working more on the LS stuff, my goal is 350hp+ or really as much as i can get from a cam and intake swap along with a tune.

i'll be talking a lot more with Bill the owner of a machine shop i worked at and the owner of a CNC shop who does a lot of work with the LSx platforms and is a big GM fan boy.