Iv been talking to the local junkyard about snagging a 5.3 on the next "nice" truck that they get. I can get a 120k + mile 5.3 for around 400 or I can get a "rebuildable" core 6.0 for about 250. The cores could be anywhere from spun bearing or knocking to just a high mileage or low oil pressure motor.

If you guys had a choice what way would you go?

 

IF you know the guys there pretty well and they seem dependable, for peace of mind I would go for the engine out of the "nice" truck, if the mileage is within reason. And see what they will do on a 6.0 out of a nice truck. You never know....
And if that same deal is good on a '07-up 5.3, go for that, as it's a Gen IV with a MUCH better bottom end.

 

Yea I know the guys pretty well. I get some "deals" but they generally sell all the ls stuff at market price. Last I checked they could get me a 6.0 for 1300. I have only been pricing for gen 3. Just didnt want the extra cost for the DOD delete.

 

I don't think the Gen IV 6.0's, which are HD truck only, have DOD. The 5.3's do, however. I didn't know how much you are/were going to do to the engine of choice, so I put those out here.

 

I suppose that would help. The plan is a torqstorm supercharger. Roughly 10 psi, cam, long tube headers in a 1968 lemans. I just assumed all gen 4 had dod.

 

LS2's, LS3's, LSA's, LS9's don't have DOD or VVT.

 

Good info. They usually have gen 3 motors out at the yard. I think I'm leaning towards the 5.3. The only bad thing is when I look for supercharger cams they're usually better suited for bigger motors. Iv seen several brute speed forces induction cams for cheap but probably wouldnt be that great in a 5.3.

 

Call Cam Motion. They'll set you up with a good blower cam for the size engine you have.

 

I just went through this, and went 6.0. Unless you are changing the heads, or having the valves reworked you will likely have issues with 10 lbs of boost. The heads on 5.3 trucks have small intake valves (1.89 if memory serves) and a good bit of shrouding on the exhaust side. You will be packing a lot of air, and a decent portion of the boost will be wasted. Also the early 706 head cracked around the center bolt so make sure it is post 2005 if you go with 5.3, Spend the extra grand and get a Procharger, you will be happier. With that boost you will be pushing the limits of the stock I beam rods. Not sure if 5.3's have cast or nodular iron cranks, but you want the nodular if you can get it. I know there are magazine articles where people are spinning 5.3's to 6800 and generating 800 hp. But that is on a dyno in a controlled setting, not bolted to a 3000 lb car or 6000 lb truck, not driving around on 100 degree asphalt.

If you can get a 6.0 longblock with the 317 heads (great for boost) you will make a ton more torque and have many more options for the future. Once you are on the boost crack you won't want to stop at 10 lbs. Shop around, I found one for $700 plus the shipping.

 

Iv been shopping around. Currently prices for anything around for ls stuff is high. 6.0s and ls1's are stupid money for what they are. Torqstorm seems to be a great company and anyone I have talked to with one is extremely happy so I'm still planning on going with them vs procharger.
As far as prices go, that's why I asked about the core vs the running 5.3 from the yard.

I can always change heads or rework what I have if I went with a 5.3. There are several 5.3s with a torqstorm supercharger, cam and headers in the high 400 low 500 whp range. That's plenty for me.

 

Thanks for considering Torqstorm Superchargers for your car Cypris09!
A cammed 5.3 with our supercharger will make a great street car. There are several of them out there. We had a 98 ws6, junkyard 5.3 with a baker cam, 1 3/4 headers through a t56 make 573 whp with our supercharger kit.
Pretty impressive and comes with a limited lifetime warranty. Our conversion kit is only $2800. I don't believe "said competitor" has a kit for a grand more.

Feel free to get ahold of us if you have any questions. We would love to help you out.
Thanks
Torqstorm

 

I have heard nothing but good things about you guys. A crammed 5.3 and your kit puts me at a power level I was aiming for with good drivability.
By the looks of things my best bet is just going with a running 5.3 and roll with that.

 

Several have chosen that path and were very pleased. As I'm sure you would be.

 

When converting hydrocarbons to mechanical force via the process of oxidation more is better. Mainly because the process is terribly inefficient. Mechanical force known as hp and torque. Both are like money and p@&&y, you can't have too much.

Going with 5.3 over 6.0 is giving up a cylinder of combustion.

 

you get what you pay for, without exception. There have been a good many "powerdynes" come and go, but "said competitor" has stood the test of time.

 

I'm not comparing a 6.0 to a 5.3. It's a good running 5.3 with harness and ecm for 400$ vs a 250$ "rebuildable" core 6.0. It can be a high mileage motor that someone wanted to replace or it can be locked up. I'm not opposed to getting a 6.0 or ls1 however a 5.3 will do the job. Im basically asking what people would do and why. Maybe even an expected cost.

As far as torqstorm goes, they appear to be a great company and have great customer service. Only time will tell about them but I hope they pull through. What's wrong with having another supercharger on the market?

 

I thought kingtalon was banned?

 

SOMEBODY had to take his place...… lol

 

I just went through this. I had a 5.3 in the truck with 180,000 miles I put on it. 2 years ago I thought about a 6.0 but decided to go 5.3 with ported 706 heads, 2.02 intake and a smaller rebuilt supercharger.

Even with flowmaster headers and true dual it just could not build torque in the low end. The 706 heads are just not good with boost.

I just finished a 6.0 build with a procharger. I went all in with all forged internals, h beams, the whole deal. Before it is over I plan to run 20ish lbs. I could have just had the crank balanced and let it fly. I bought the long block for $600 plus shipping from a salvage yard in Indiana. Told the guy would not buy it unless he warranted the rotating assembly was usable. No spun bearings, no twisted crank, etc.

I bought a procharger D1sc with everything but the intercooler and the blow off for $3600. It took me 3 weeks to even get a price from torquestorm (I have the emails to verify this) because there was not even a price on the web site. Once we got past that there was the 2 to 3 week build time. The procharger showed up in 4 days.

All of this was done with the advice of veteran engine builders and hours surfing sites like this one.

 

Hmm, when was this Phil? I'm assuming over a year ago? We have since hired a designated salesman, and myself the online tech support. We pride ourselves on having the best customer service, warranty and technical assistance. As well as a top notch product for considerably less than the competitors.

Torqstorm