I need schooling on 5.3 blocks
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From: Williamsburg, VA
I need schooling on 5.3 blocks Speciffically iron 5.3s. Do they use the same mold as the LS1 or LS6? Same engine covers? Can they be bored and to what extent?
The older gen 3 iron block 5.3L - LM7 are just about identical to the ls1/ls6 blocks. The alternator mounting is differant from iron to aluminum. The iron blocks are missing one of the threaded holes that the aluminum block uses for the mounting bracket. People have drilled and taped the the iron block to use the F-body alternator mount.
All the covers will bolt right on from the aluminum to iron, and you can bore the 5.3L out to a 5.7.
All the covers will bolt right on from the aluminum to iron, and you can bore the 5.3L out to a 5.7.
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Thanks guys. What c.i. can be achieved with that 3.905 bore? How long of a stroke can these clear? What are the differences between it and the alinimum version?
Last edited by LS1HIGHLIFE; Jan 20, 2014 at 09:46 AM.
You can get 383ci with a 4" stroke, and 395ci with a 4.125" stroke. The 4.125" stroke crank can be tricky and can end up a disaster if not done properly, so I'd suggest a 4" stroke max.
The differences are basically cosmetic. The main saddles are beefier on the aluminum blocks since they're aluminum, and the big water plug is different. That's about it though.
The differences are basically cosmetic. The main saddles are beefier on the aluminum blocks since they're aluminum, and the big water plug is different. That's about it though.
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Sweet. What's the weight diff between the cast 5.3 and the LS1? FYI, the reason I'm interested is my stock LS1 block may have a couple of cracked slaves and I can get my hands on a iron 5.3. I wonder what the cost to resleve is vs boring and building a 5.3....
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It cost me $300 to bore and torque plate hone my 5.3 block 0.124" over to 3.903" bore. This was at HKE in Houston in 2011.
My advice is try to find a used 6.0 block before dropping that money on a 5.3 block. Everything that swaps over to the 5.3 block will also work with the 6.0 block. They are identical except for the bore size.
My advice is try to find a used 6.0 block before dropping that money on a 5.3 block. Everything that swaps over to the 5.3 block will also work with the 6.0 block. They are identical except for the bore size.
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11 Second Club
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Williamsburg, VA
It cost me $300 to bore and torque plate hone my 5.3 block 0.124" over to 3.903" bore. This was at HKE in Houston in 2011.
My advice is try to find a used 6.0 block before dropping that money on a 5.3 block. Everything that swaps over to the 5.3 block will also work with the 6.0 block. They are identical except for the bore size.
My advice is try to find a used 6.0 block before dropping that money on a 5.3 block. Everything that swaps over to the 5.3 block will also work with the 6.0 block. They are identical except for the bore size.
I apreciate all the info gents.
