5.3 need for balancing
07-03-2021, 12:36 AM
#1
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5.3 need for balancing Hi everyone
I’m new to ls motors, I’ve stripped down my 5.3 and there are water stains in some bores, I see summit sell forged pistons with plus 5 thou(3.785), will these fit on my 2003 connecting rods, will I need to have assembly re balanced?
Any advice would be great !
I’m new to ls motors, I’ve stripped down my 5.3 and there are water stains in some bores, I see summit sell forged pistons with plus 5 thou(3.785), will these fit on my 2003 connecting rods, will I need to have assembly re balanced?
Any advice would be great !
Last edited by dave350v8; 07-03-2021 at 12:43 AM.
07-03-2021, 04:55 PM
#2
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What are the goals for your engine? You might not need forged pistons.
It also matters what year your engine is. Gen III or Gen IV?
It also matters what year your engine is. Gen III or Gen IV?
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07-03-2021, 11:19 PM
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The motor is Gen III so I presume I'm gonna need press fit Pistons? because they are 5 thou over will that throw out my balance too much? Im intending to go turbo so forged would be best?
I was hoping to give it a hone which would save machining bores out to to the next piston size.
I was hoping to give it a hone which would save machining bores out to to the next piston size.
Last edited by dave350v8; 07-03-2021 at 11:27 PM.
07-03-2021, 11:57 PM
#4
TECH Senior Member
Never assume. Gen III came both ways. That's why I asked the year.
Soooo.... what year is it?? Could have saved some time here...
Soooo.... what year is it?? Could have saved some time here...
07-04-2021, 10:46 AM
#7
TECH Senior Member
If it was OE in a 2003 Silverado it IS Gen III, and pressed pin. No doubt. Floating pins came in 2004 on up.
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07-05-2021, 11:28 AM
#9
On The Tree
weigh them Hello,
Get a scale and weigh the pistons. Different makers end up with different weighs . If they are close you can lighten the new ones if they are heavier. It is hard to get an answer what they weigh before you buy them. OE pistons will probably be close.
Hope this helps.
Get a scale and weigh the pistons. Different makers end up with different weighs . If they are close you can lighten the new ones if they are heavier. It is hard to get an answer what they weigh before you buy them. OE pistons will probably be close.
Hope this helps.
07-05-2021, 05:35 PM
#10
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Having said that, I would balance it if I were building it. I always do. Here’s why…the out of balanced assembly will create harmonics somewhere in the rpm powerband, and that will cause it to fight against itself, costing you performance. NOW….if this is not a performance build, and just a cruiser or woods buggy, then just send it.
Need to balance? No, in this situation. Good idea to balance? Always. Most shops are around $250 if no heavy metal is needed.
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07-06-2021, 04:58 PM
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Does it NEED balancing to run good? Prolly not. GM never balanced it to start with. They “weight match” sets of piston/rod assembly’s to certain bob weight cranks and throw it all together.
Having said that, I would balance it if I were building it. I always do. Here’s why…the out of balanced assembly will create harmonics somewhere in the rpm powerband, and that will cause it to fight against itself, costing you performance. NOW….if this is not a performance build, and just a cruiser or woods buggy, then just send it.
Need to balance? No, in this situation. Good idea to balance? Always. Most shops are around $250 if no heavy metal is needed.
Having said that, I would balance it if I were building it. I always do. Here’s why…the out of balanced assembly will create harmonics somewhere in the rpm powerband, and that will cause it to fight against itself, costing you performance. NOW….if this is not a performance build, and just a cruiser or woods buggy, then just send it.
Need to balance? No, in this situation. Good idea to balance? Always. Most shops are around $250 if no heavy metal is needed.