Sorry if this isn't in the right place but i have a question...My 99TA is down a cylinder and its time for a motor build. My question is whether its better to spend the $$$ to build a solid 408 with good internals and add nitrous....or spend that money on a well built turbo setup with a 5.3 with only a cam and arp main and rod bolts. my issue im having is if i put all that money in a nitrous motor and blow it up then im out big $$$ where as if the 5.3 blows its 700 bucks to replace.....

 

Turbos>NOS IMO
Turbo408>Turbo5.3 but that's more money too

 

Turbo 5.3 is more money? In the research I've done a solid 408 with a mamo intake heads and cam Ls3 block good crank rods and pistons runs around 7-8k. 5.3 $700 and a good single turbo setup is around 5k all of the fuel upgrades are a wash either way.

 

[QUOTE=....... if i put all that money in a nitrous motor and blow it up then im out big $$$ where as if the 5.3 blows its 700 bucks to replace.....[/QUOTE]
you kinda answered your own question.. I've never been a fan of nitrous.. my .02.. build a solid 408...turbo later.. OR turbo 5.3 now and take some time to build a 408

 

Well secondary question is it worth it to buy a 5.3 because I have a 5.7 tha needs new rings but haven't heard much about people boosting 5.7s seems everyone uses 5.3s

 

really either build could reach high $$... and why ls3 block?. for my build..lq4 short block..$150.

 

Ive been told to not run an lq4 due to short cylinder sleeves and big bores over .030 with boost or nitrous are not recommend

 

If you already have theLS1, just use it. A 5.7 can handle boost just fine. Plenty of 800+hp boosted 5.7's.

 

Thats what i was wondering mine runs good just low on compression on one cylinder. So maybe re ring it add arp goods and boost?

 

I would like to hear more about why not to boost a LQ4. I have the 6.0 iron block and have been told by many that boosting this engine is fine and the 317 heads are a great head for turbos.

 

I was told a stock bore or anything under. 030 over is fine but i wanted to go over that. I also was going to use a 4.10 crank which pulls the piston a good way out of the cylinder

 

I like the stealthiness of a quiet mellow turbo engine where the power is always there. A stroker engine will fool NO one at a ; and the different tune usually needed to run NOS adds more complications to obtaining reliability. You said it yourself that the junkyards loaded with 700 dollar donor engines almost begs you to thrash the hell out of it.
If you decide to re-ring your LS1 then just go .005" over and put forged rods and pistons in it. That way; not if but when you decide to turn it up you're all set.

 

Nitrous is addictive, but the smart/long term money is on the turbo.

408 if you can swing it. Someone mentioned the 346 which could be a good choice. 325's in good shape are always an awesome deal at $500 - $700 a piece.

Please post back with your final decision. And Pictures!!

 

Ive decided to run a 428 and nitrous, I use only 1 tune to run both.

 

LQ4 is iron block. Doesnt have sleeves. Why would you want more than .030" bore anyway just curious? Not saying you think this way but I cant tell you how many local people think I got 408ci from going crazy over boring. Boring is only to get the scrapes out the cylinder wall from wear and .030" usually is more than enough.

 

You could also go the 370ci route with the LQ block. Bore .030 over with stock crank and forged rods/pistons. Will cost more than a $700 5.3 but be a lot cheaper than a 408 build mainly cause you won't need a crank thats going to run you $800+. You'll make good power NA depending on your cam and top end set up and can still throw boost at it when you're ready too.

 

Did we ever find out if this is a track car, or just a fun weekend warrior? I would think filling bottles all the time would get old, and the only time you're reaping the benefit of nitrous it at WOT, while with a boosted setup, you see different levels of boost at different RPM intervals.

 

If you've got the funds to go turbo, do it. I did the nitrous thing for a long time and have twin turbos now. Waaaaaay more fun with boost. You rarely hear about people leaving forced induction in favor of nitrous but the inverse happens all the time.....that should tell you something!

 

That's my thinking too. I was all ready to get a nitrous plate setup for my car, but I've decided that I'm just going to keep saving and go FI. Haven't decided if I want to go the turbo route or Procharger, but either way, it's boost for me.

 

I would go the boosted route,but also think a 370 or a forged 5.3 would be my choice. sure ,there are lots of boosted 5.3s living with a stock bottom end,but there are also a shitload that have been blown. at the end of the day,the budget is quite a bit even with a stock bottom end when you throw in head studs ,gaskets, cam, springs,p-rods, good fuel system and a turbo kit.
spending money on a set of rods/pistons, no matter the block you choose and main studs and new rings/bearings is a wise decision.not everybody wants to be throwing in junk motors all the time because your stock rods bent, a piston broke and took out your turbo, yada yada yada. just my $.02