ConfusedPerson

I’ve been trying to decide between building a 5.3 with a 7875 or just investing the money into a 408. My budget is 10k.. obviously if I have to go over it’ll just take longer but won’t be no big deal. Just looking for some advice on what would be best as a daily driver as this is going into my c10. Thank you!

G Atsma

What's your HP goal? If over 500, put it under pressure.

Che70velle

iTrader: (6)

I vote 408 with a 7875, but I like to go fast...
FI is your friend if driveability is a major concern. Is this a driver or a race deal?

G Atsma

You DO like the best of both worlds, huh? lol

ConfusedPerson

Around the 800 range

ConfusedPerson

Driver.. I’ve read up on daily 408 and they all say it’s not bad if you build it right

Che70velle

iTrader: (6)

Nothing wrong with a properly built 408 for a driver. But since your looking for 800, and reliability because it’s a driver, the turbo 5.3 might be a better choice here. The bigger stroke of the 408 is harder on pistons, even though custom pistons are built nowadays just for this stroke and cylinder design. Doable? Sure. I just think you might be better off with the turbo 5.3 for this scenario. And if it gets hurt badly from boost, you can find a replacement long block all day long for $500 dollars or less.

ConfusedPerson

Thank you so much for the feedback/advice! 5.3 it is.. just new to all this stuff but really want to learn it so I’m trying to do as much as possible on my own and I just wanted to make sure I went with the right choice before I started to spend the money!

1988montecarloss

iTrader: (6)

Just do the 5.3, run a 4th gen bottom end or rod and pistons if you’re worried about it

Utinator

I'd like to know where you shop. I haven't seen a 5.3 around here for less than $2k.

Che70velle

iTrader: (6)

$2k for a used 5.3? Geesh. A used 5.3 in these parts are literally a dime a dozen. Yards are stuffed full of them. I’ve sold two pullouts, out of my shop myself for under $200 each. Shoot I have a NICE low mile built 5.3 in my way right now with 243 heads, tsp 228 camshaft, bigger injectors, ARP headbolts, all new gaskets, intake to pan, I’d let go for $1500. Maybe less, it’s my nephews. Runs strong.

Che70velle

iTrader: (6)

I just sold a built ls2 with ls3 heads/intake/injectors, Mast camshaft, Holley pan, ARP man studs/line honed, ARP head bolts, Mahle .010 forged pistons, new GM gaskets/seals throughout, all accessories on the front, Hooker headers, coils, wires, needs a harness and ECM to run, for $4500. An honest 500 horse engine. 1500 miles. Fresh!

Utinator

Wow, that must be nice. The junk yards around here have hundreds of 5.3's piled up. The cheapest I saw was $1700, but that was without an intake. The cheapest 6.2L blocks around here are about $4500, but that is with melted heads or broken engine mounts. A low mileage, running 6.2L is going to cost you about $6k around here. You're better off just ordering a new LS376 from a Chevy dealer.

MY_2K_Z

iTrader: (1)

I see your in San Antonio so I'd suggest looking on Craigslist. I see gen 4 aluminum 5.3s for cheap. Usually 250 for a short block or 500 loaded.

LLLosingit

iTrader: (4)

All I can say is WOW! Around here you can get a 5.3 and 6.0's from the local pull your own yard for $275 plus a core charge of $50 and they are on the local sale ads all the time for 3-5 hundred for 5.3's and 6.0's 5-8 hundred

BlwnLs1GTO

iTrader: (12)

These engines you guys are talking about for $500 and less are not the same depending on where you're located in the country.
I can say that that a JY Iron LM7 complete engine with 100-200k miles averages approximately $1500. There are other "No guarantee" shortblocks available
for less but I don't trust engines that have been either cracked into or raped for parts. You just never know. Complete engines are usually sold complete because
they've compression checked them and/or ran them for verification.

You guys are lucky further east! The L33's complete are extremely over priced here, too.

I agree though, a 5.3 with some mild parts like valvetrain, mid lift cam and a turbo or 2 will do it for you. And, as always, you WILL have additional parts to purchase that
you weren't planning on, taking the budget up more. Trust me. (Or anyone who's done this before)

A replacement engine is so much easier with the 5.3 ltr.

Good Luck!

JoeNova

Car-part.com shows dozens of $600 5.3s in your area.

SLOW SEDAN

iTrader: (13)

Currently 493 5.3's on ebay for under $650, I've gotten a few from ebay they show up on a pallet good to go. Not sure who would ever pay over $1000 for a JY 5.3L, $2000 is absolutely insane.

JOHNNY59

iTrader: (398)

Just got a complete 5.3 last month at the u-pull for $300. They pulled it and loaded in my pick up, didn't even get my hands dirty. Oh I forgot it came with a GM rebuilt 4L80e trans!

Utinator

Run that search again for the aluminum Gen-IV engines and you will see what I'm talking about. The Gen-III 5.3's are cheaper, but they won't hold the 800hp that the OP is wanting. I know the Gen-IV motors will hold 800hp, but it takes some boost to get there. I've never seen an N/A LS motor with anywhere near 800hp.