Whats up guys new to the forums and new to v8's my name is church. im done tinkering with 4 cylinder turbos. im getting a 5.3 vortec gen three and i plan to build heads the heads and snag a cam with it.

Im wondering whats the best combination to make the most power for a decent price. so if something can stay oem I'd prefer it however if something could make more power id upgrade it.

so if you were building an all motor 5.3 vortec gen 3 what would you use for

head casting:
valves:
rockers:
pushrods:
retainers:
springs:
lifters:
valves:
cam:
timing chain:
cam gear:
keepers:
valve seals:
headgasket:
headstuds:
injectors:
intake:

and anything else Im missing.

i also read online sometimes the cam keeper will make metal shavings , rub, and destroy motors how can i avoid that? are there cost effective pre assembeled heads out there?

 

Define "most power" also "decent price"

 

What kind of budget are you working with?

 

List all the details for the vehicle (weight, trans, gear, what's it used for, other mods, etc)

There's not such thing as a "best cam"

 

Car is a 1993 240 sx weight 3k pounds with motor.

j30 lsd.

budget is 1500$

GTO T-56 transmission

i know about google man but i just wanted to have a decent discussion. im pretty new to this stuff.

anyways i was thinking about LS6 cam and heads.
felpro headgaskets and arp head studs.

anybody have any opion about the cam keeper rubbing and making shavings in the oil?

 

With 1500 bucks to buy what? A complete motor? A complete drivetrain? Harness and computer? Need more info.

 

sorry 1500 for upgrades to the motor. Im going to use a painless wiring harness and the 5.3 I plan on getting on the cheap. lets not worry about anything else in the car in terms of $ for the sake of this discussion.

 

I would make sure you get the aluminum block version 5.3 or a 5.7 LS1 better yet; you would not want 100+ extra lbs of iron block V8 on the front end of little 240 unless its a drag car or going turbo IMO.

 

I plan to go turbo next year or maybe the year after that. but i cant justify spending 4k+ on an ls1 when a lm7 does the same job for 3k cheaper. does 243's and a 228r sound like a good choice?

 

4K?! I bought a complete LS1 with just a blown head gasket for $250, lucky score for sure, but there's certainly deals to be had if you look hard enough is the point....I'll sell it to somebody for "just" 3-4K LMAO

That cam/head combo seems decent that application though

 

Man you guys are so lucky it seems like I'm always reading about people who get smoking deals all the time. Im never lucky enough. besides werent you scared that the block was going to be cracked with the HG being gone? People are selling lm7s on ebay for 1200 + shipping, but your finding Ls1's for 250$ I guess its all about your region. FL and TX get sick deals but up here in RI, I cant find anything. Where can i find good deals? CL and ls1Tech classifieds?