Flat top 4.8 Pistons into my 5.3 HOW TO Video
#1
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Huntsville, Alabama - SA, TX is home
Posts: 676
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hey guys, thought I'd share this quick video I made of swaping in some used flat top 4.8 pistons into my 5.3 at home in my garage. This 5.3 will be going into my 1987 Chevy truck as a daily driver with a lil added ***** and tow ability for my LS swapped 1992 Camaro. These pistons will bring me up from 9.5:1 to 10:1. After I port and mill the 5.3 (862) heads I should be around 10.5:1.
Specs:
160k mile 5.3
used 4.8 pistons
220r cam
ported & shimed oil pump
CTSV oil pan
Warning: this is a budget build. All those who want to comment with negativity about buying new stuff can just troll on to the next thread. Once this engine is together it will be ran on a test stand for all to see on video how it worked out. I video just about everything I do and post it on my YouTube channel at AGearHead4Life - YouTube
Click Here for the video:
Enjoy!
Specs:
160k mile 5.3
used 4.8 pistons
220r cam
ported & shimed oil pump
CTSV oil pan
Warning: this is a budget build. All those who want to comment with negativity about buying new stuff can just troll on to the next thread. Once this engine is together it will be ran on a test stand for all to see on video how it worked out. I video just about everything I do and post it on my YouTube channel at AGearHead4Life - YouTube
Click Here for the video:
Enjoy!
#2
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (9)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
cool how-to man. nothing wrong with working on a budget.
i knew and old boy who would grab pistons out of a pile, wipe them off, and stab them in. flat-tops, domed, dished, didn't matter, he would just throw them together....the engines always started, and very rarely did he grenade them.
i'll have to check out some more of your videos.
i knew and old boy who would grab pistons out of a pile, wipe them off, and stab them in. flat-tops, domed, dished, didn't matter, he would just throw them together....the engines always started, and very rarely did he grenade them.
i'll have to check out some more of your videos.
#3
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Huntsville, Alabama - SA, TX is home
Posts: 676
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
cool how-to man. nothing wrong with working on a budget.
i knew and old boy who would grab pistons out of a pile, wipe them off, and stab them in. flat-tops, domed, dished, didn't matter, he would just throw them together....the engines always started, and very rarely did he grenade them.
i'll have to check out some more of your videos.
i knew and old boy who would grab pistons out of a pile, wipe them off, and stab them in. flat-tops, domed, dished, didn't matter, he would just throw them together....the engines always started, and very rarely did he grenade them.
i'll have to check out some more of your videos.
Hope you enjoy the videos. Don't get lost in them there's a bunch. about a hundred, but they're organized into playlists. that should help.
#5
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Huntsville, Alabama - SA, TX is home
Posts: 676
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I don't know but obviously willing to chance it. lol I highly doubt that it'll be noticeable, but we'll soon see. I don't mind being a test dummy. Good questing though. I still have a dished piston I can weigh, but too late to measure the 4.8's weight.
#6
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (25)
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I have some 4.8 flat top pistons but they aren't disassembled I could weigh for you. If they're at my apartment I will take one to work and punch it out. If not it may take me some time to do it. If you really want me to that is lol. Great video by the way
Trending Topics
#9
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Huntsville, Alabama - SA, TX is home
Posts: 676
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Very good point! I noticed that it appeared that way also. I checked them before I put them back on... I think. You've got me questioning myself now. Lol i may have to pull that one back out just to make sure now.
#11
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (25)
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 547
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/ranks/ls1tech10year.png)
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
![Icon Lol](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies2/icon_lol.gif)
#12
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
How much power are you hoping to make with the switch to the flat tops? Might have to look for a set of 4.8 pistons for my 5.3l now.
Awesome video, I work in my flip flops all the time too!
Awesome video, I work in my flip flops all the time too!
#16
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Huntsville, Alabama - SA, TX is home
Posts: 676
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I don't have a set number of gains from just the pistons. I know that I'll be a little over 400 CHP though. I just know the compression ratio I'd like to have and all that comes with it. Performance engines have a higher compression for a reason.
![Happy](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/smilies/LS1Tech/gr_stretch.gif)
My last 5.3 was about 400chp with only a LS6 Cam, home ported heads and a .030 mill bringing the compression to about 10:1. So this engine should have even more power and still be a great daily driver. Probably drive and sound like stock if it wasn't for the 112lsa.
#20
![Default](https://ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
My last 5.3 was about 400chp with only a LS6 Cam, home ported heads and a .030 mill bringing the compression to about 10:1. So this engine should have even more power and still be a great daily driver. Probably drive and sound like stock if it wasn't for the 112lsa.