5.3 C10 Budget Build?
I have a 70 C10 and been looking at a 5.3 swap and a C5 that sucks the mod money. I respect your desire to build an engine, heck I want to, to say I've done it. However GM know how to build them. I have thought about a used 5.3s, decking some 243s I have sitting around, and a CamMotion drop in cam to use inexpensive GM valve springs. Cheap simple, quick, reliable. If you are on a budget total up the cost of parts and tools needed and decide for yourself where your budget leads.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Dec 2005
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I have a 70 C10 and been looking at a 5.3 swap and a C5 that sucks the mod money. I respect your desire to build an engine, heck I want to, to say I've done it. However GM know how to build them. I have thought about a used 5.3s, decking some 243s I have sitting around, and a CamMotion drop in cam to use inexpensive GM valve springs. Cheap simple, quick, reliable. If you are on a budget total up the cost of parts and tools needed and decide for yourself where your budget leads.
Stampede.
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2017
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I'm running 3in dual's on my LQ9 6.0L iron block 85 vette. Works good, shorty headrs and no x pipe. The engine is super responsive.
Been impressed on how well a stock 6.0L engine works vs. the stock SBC I ripped out.
My daily is a 02 dodge 2500 4x4 cummins twin turbo auto
Been impressed on how well a stock 6.0L engine works vs. the stock SBC I ripped out.
My daily is a 02 dodge 2500 4x4 cummins twin turbo auto
Teching In
Joined: May 2012
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Anyone have any feedback on summits 5.3 blocks? Only $460 delivered: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-4853l. Cam bearings installed. This would be less expensive than having my machine shop freshen up my block and I could sell it for a few bucks.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 8
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From: Boise, ID
Summit blocks:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...hine-shop.html
I would do 2.5" after the X pipe, if you do an x pipe. My old C5 ran Kooks 1 3/4" no cats 3" to the X 2.5 after. Most ran 3" all the way to the over axle pipe. Allan Futral comment the car made great torque when he tuned it a decade ago.
A friend had the same heads, cam, year short block, and the same guy port his TB, and tuned by Futral on the same day. He had 3" turn downs in the TA, the torque jump was substantial but peak rwhp was almost the same. I went 2.5" despite what most Corvette guy do as was a Chevelle guy and sold roller big block guys were surprised at how little they picked up on 3".
In a truck with a little 5.3 I would error on the side of torque and run the 2.5 any gain from 3" would be in an area of the power curve you don't spend much time in and you're likely to give up power where you are cruising.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...hine-shop.html
I would do 2.5" after the X pipe, if you do an x pipe. My old C5 ran Kooks 1 3/4" no cats 3" to the X 2.5 after. Most ran 3" all the way to the over axle pipe. Allan Futral comment the car made great torque when he tuned it a decade ago.
A friend had the same heads, cam, year short block, and the same guy port his TB, and tuned by Futral on the same day. He had 3" turn downs in the TA, the torque jump was substantial but peak rwhp was almost the same. I went 2.5" despite what most Corvette guy do as was a Chevelle guy and sold roller big block guys were surprised at how little they picked up on 3".
In a truck with a little 5.3 I would error on the side of torque and run the 2.5 any gain from 3" would be in an area of the power curve you don't spend much time in and you're likely to give up power where you are cruising.
After watching an episode of engine masters (you can laugh at me!) I am thinking of going with an H-pipe.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 8
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From: Boise, ID
I'm running 3in dual's on my LQ9 6.0L iron block 85 vette. Works good, shorty headrs and no x pipe. The engine is super responsive.
Been impressed on how well a stock 6.0L engine works vs. the stock SBC I ripped out.
My daily is a 02 dodge 2500 4x4 cummins twin turbo auto
Been impressed on how well a stock 6.0L engine works vs. the stock SBC I ripped out.
My daily is a 02 dodge 2500 4x4 cummins twin turbo auto
I cant wait until I get to that point - a lot of work ahead! Nice power numbers too.
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 19
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a 5.9L or 6.7L would be a bunch of work. You would have to adjust the firewall for that beast of engine. I have a few friends that have done one.
65gregg your truck looks really good. Curious on how well that TSP cam works out for you. Looks like a decent grind.
My 85 corvette, there was no room to run a AC unit like you, I have to adjust mine next time the engine comes out and put if into the factory position.
My LQ9 is probably around the same power as your 5.3L
65gregg your truck looks really good. Curious on how well that TSP cam works out for you. Looks like a decent grind.
My 85 corvette, there was no room to run a AC unit like you, I have to adjust mine next time the engine comes out and put if into the factory position.
My LQ9 is probably around the same power as your 5.3L
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TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 661
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From: S.F. East bay
gregg.....do you know what your compression ratio is at?....l33 that's flat tops yeah?......awesome engine bay....I did a lm7 with 4.8 flat tops...and 64cc heads with asa cam in a 68 c10 and I'm really pleased with the outcome as opposed to the 220 cammed lm7 that I have in my nova.....the truck with the flat tops and asa cam just seem so much more powerful. .....hard to think that that the flat tops and asa cam are really that much of a difference, but my butt dyno seems to think so....