5.3mustang

I'm thinking about dropping some forged pistons and rods in my 5.3 while I have it apart just for insurance. This is strictly a budget build, I am looking to go with Wiseco's drop in pistons with eagle h-beam rods. This will be a boosted application, single tc-78 on e85. This is extremely budget minded. The piston/rod weight will be approx 15grams heavier than the stock pistons/rods. Can I get by without rebalancing the rotating assembly? Shops around me want ~$400 to balance it and I am trying to get this build done as cheap as possible, it's not worth it to me to do the build if I am going to have $2000 in a 5.3...might as well bore it out to a 346/347 if that's the case...

White_Ls1

I used an LS1 rotating assy with 4.8 pistons, no balancing and no issues. $400 is crazy for balancing, I paid $175 last time I had some LS stuff balanced.

redtan

iTrader: (5)

On a boosted application like yours, there are many benefits to keeping the smaller bore. And a few extra ci is not going to be missed with boost.

Stick to the 5.3 displacement and do it right the first time. Either keep it stock and just refresh the rings, bearings and connecting rod bolts, or forge it right without half assing it.

JakeFusion

iTrader: (7)

Find a new shop. You should be able to get the balancing done for 200 or less. Don't cut corners on things like that. What's $200 now vs a lot of blown money down the road because of a cut corner?