So after replacing everything on my truck but the short block, something finally gave in. I just got the 4.30 gears and detroit TrueTrac broken in and wham, heard a small tick for a few miles, thought it was a lifter, tick became a knock and then a rattle with within seconds along with a slight loss in power so I shut it down and towed it home. So I need to swap the short block but am debating as to what will be the best decision. Pull this 5.3 and rebuild it or find a used short block and risk going with something used again?
Mods that will swap over to the short block are in my sig. Looking to spend no more than $1,500. What are some good ideas? I can do all BUT machine work myself so the $1,500 only needs to cover parts and machining. Help me guys!

Here is how it was running the other day, was my first time pegging it with the 4.30 gears, hit 6,800 rpm red line quicker than I thought it would.

 

I would pull your motor down first and see what happened and how bad the damage. Then make up your mind to rebuild yours or another choice would be to get a junk yard LQ4/LQ9 6.0l and swap your heads / cam / intake over to that.

 

Sure ran great... Take it apart.

 

I pulled the valve covers off and turned the engine over. All rockers are working great so i have to pull the heads now.

 

are ls6 springs compatible with a Thumper cam?

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Iron-short-b...-/281137769411

 

LS6 cam
204/218 int/exh @ 0.05" duration
0.551" / 0.547" int/exh lift
117 LSA

Thumpr Cam
219/233 int/exh @ 0.05" duration
0.553" / 0.536" int/exh lift
109 LSA

I have about 10,000 miles on the current setup and have yet to have an issue until now. I have many times ran it up to 6,800 rpm without a problem.

 

not bad, thanks I will add that to my options.

 

So you don't even know what's wrong with it and you are asking what you should do with $1500 before you even took the valve covers off?

 

Thompson motorsports shortblock..

Hard to beat

 

Kind of obvious when a tick turns to a hard knock then a rattle then a loss in power. And everything but the short block is new.

 

I am debating on ordering some 0.030 over hypereutetic pistons, reusing the stock rods and crank and throwing in new bearings and ARP bolts. I might be able to squeeze that in for under $1,000.
Any thoughts?

 

So yesterday i picked up an awesome deal.
2001 LS1 out of a SS Camaro.
I got the heads, cam and short block. Has 68,000 miles. 241 heads CNC'd with dual valve springs, titanium retainers, and blower cam. Bottom end is stock. Picked up for $400. Guy put in a blown LS3 and the owner had no place or want to keep the LS1. I am gonna pull it completly apart, put in new bearings, rings, seals, ARP rod bolts, turn the crank, check the rods and pistons, clean and mill the heads then add my thumpr cam and bolt ons. Hoping for a 50 HP increase over my worn 5.3