Reliable Power
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Teching In
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Reliable Power Hi! I am trying to read up on this by myself but there is so much info that I get lost.
I want to build a 5.3 or 6.0 LS for a project.
I want around 700Hp at the crank. (with room for more would be nice, but maybe not possible given budget)
Budget for the whole engine build is 10 000 dollars or less. The less the better.
I also want this to be reliable. I will only be using the car on nice weekend days. So not daily driver reliable, but I want the thing to last.
Car will be used max 2 times a week (Saturday and Sunday) Those will be long drives, 2+ hours
Is this even achievable with my requirements? 700hp - Reliable - Under 10k
Not guessing cam, springs and turbo is reliable. So what other parts do I need?
Injectors? fuel system? any forged internals? Gaskets? Studs? Heads?
Any tips, recommendations or inputs are welcome.
I want to build a 5.3 or 6.0 LS for a project.
I want around 700Hp at the crank. (with room for more would be nice, but maybe not possible given budget)
Budget for the whole engine build is 10 000 dollars or less. The less the better.
I also want this to be reliable. I will only be using the car on nice weekend days. So not daily driver reliable, but I want the thing to last.
Car will be used max 2 times a week (Saturday and Sunday) Those will be long drives, 2+ hours
Is this even achievable with my requirements? 700hp - Reliable - Under 10k
Not guessing cam, springs and turbo is reliable. So what other parts do I need?
Injectors? fuel system? any forged internals? Gaskets? Studs? Heads?
Any tips, recommendations or inputs are welcome.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2022
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From: Louisiana
It's probably wouldn't hurt to put a little more detail, vehicle description? Do you have the transmission already? Torque converter? Rear end? Ecu? Wiring harness, etc? Forced induction? Is this 10 thousand for engine only or is it to cover everything, including parts I've just listed.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Florida
i had a awd silverado first with a 4.8 then a 5.3 that was likely just over that number and i towed, drove it all over the state, beat it to death, etc and was dead reliable for a few years. it was a real basic combo, ebay head studs, triple 12 cam, pac 1218 springs, two turbos.
700 crank is a pretty easy number these days, especially with a 10k budget.
700 crank is a pretty easy number these days, especially with a 10k budget.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2023
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It's probably wouldn't hurt to put a little more detail, vehicle description? Do you have the transmission already? Torque converter? Rear end? Ecu? Wiring harness, etc? Forced induction? Is this 10 thousand for engine only or is it to cover everything, including parts I've just listed.
Not sure about what car to put the engine in yet. But I'm in no rush, so scouting for some good deals.
I have nothing yet, no parts . So nothing has been decided yet. Not even dead set on the engine yet. But ls seemed like it aligned the best with my interests.
10k for complete engine only.
Thread Starter
Teching In
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Here you go. From 4.8 to 7.0 and how to get to 700hp. From boosted to NA.
https://youtu.be/v52TgZ5DHOA
https://youtu.be/v52TgZ5DHOA
And the idea I got from reading a bit was that these builds are to showcase what can be done with a few mods. But not for a reliable build. Just for cheap power until the engine blows.
But I might have gotten the wrong idea? So please correct me on that
Thread Starter
Teching In
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i had a awd silverado first with a 4.8 then a 5.3 that was likely just over that number and i towed, drove it all over the state, beat it to death, etc and was dead reliable for a few years. it was a real basic combo, ebay head studs, triple 12 cam, pac 1218 springs, two turbos.
700 crank is a pretty easy number these days, especially with a 10k budget.
700 crank is a pretty easy number these days, especially with a 10k budget.
What broke in the end?
What would be weak point of this build?
Would it be even better with arp head studs and something like a btr cam and btr springs?
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I have seen this and many of Richards other videos.
And the idea I got from reading a bit was that these builds are to showcase what can be done with a few mods. But not for a reliable build. Just for cheap power until the engine blows.
But I might have gotten the wrong idea? So please correct me on that
And the idea I got from reading a bit was that these builds are to showcase what can be done with a few mods. But not for a reliable build. Just for cheap power until the engine blows.
But I might have gotten the wrong idea? So please correct me on that
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Launching!
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 295
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From: Duluth, Minnesota
my two cents on the build is do it right. $10k for a motor with 700hp should easily be doable while avoiding knockoff parts. You also don’t have to spend the most money for the best parts. Search and find deals.
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Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Central Cal.
Common sense should dictate how long an engine with 800 HP will live vs one with 400 HP
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Teching In
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TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Florida
the 5.3 never broke, i took it out to put a bbc in and the project ended up abandoned.
the 4.8 wouldnt have ever broken either if i put the correct tune back in after experimenting.
If you want to do a solid build that will out last your use of it then go with the following:
Eagle H beam forged rods
Weiseco forged pistons for FI
clevite bearings
Mahle or Diamond piston rings for FI
You can keep your stock crank since LS cranks can easily handle upwards of 1K hp with 0 issues
Then you’ll have to get the right turbo for the engine size you’re going to use.
If you’re going with a 5.3 a precision 7675 should be plenty. If you’re going with a 6.0 then a Borg s475 would be more along the lines.
There are variables with each platform so the best thing would be to settle on what engine you’re going to use and then more precise info about turbos what heads to use best compression ratio with what fuel youll and so on will again be easier for us to guide you with. Right now not knowing the engine size we will throw **** against the wall to see what sticks.
Last edited by 02*C5; Jun 15, 2023 at 03:57 PM.
Thread Starter
Teching In
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The first thing is landing on the platform you want to use. 5.3 or 6.0. You need to go FI or nitrous to get to that number so if you’re going FI are going turbo or SC? After that you have basics that need to be done
If you want to do a solid build that will out last your use of it then go with the following:
Eagle H beam forged rods
Weiseco forged pistons for FI
clevite bearings
Mahle or Diamond piston rings for FI
You can keep your stock crank since LS cranks can easily handle upwards of 1K hp with 0 issues
Then you’ll have to get the right turbo for the engine size you’re going to use.
If you’re going with a 5.3 a precision 7675 should be plenty. If you’re going with a 6.0 then a Borg s475 would be more along the lines.
There are variables with each platform so the best thing would be to settle on what engine you’re going to use and then more precise info about turbos what heads to use best compression ratio with what fuel youll and so on will again be easier for us to guide you with. Right now not knowing the engine size we will throw **** against the wall to see what sticks.
If you want to do a solid build that will out last your use of it then go with the following:
Eagle H beam forged rods
Weiseco forged pistons for FI
clevite bearings
Mahle or Diamond piston rings for FI
You can keep your stock crank since LS cranks can easily handle upwards of 1K hp with 0 issues
Then you’ll have to get the right turbo for the engine size you’re going to use.
If you’re going with a 5.3 a precision 7675 should be plenty. If you’re going with a 6.0 then a Borg s475 would be more along the lines.
There are variables with each platform so the best thing would be to settle on what engine you’re going to use and then more precise info about turbos what heads to use best compression ratio with what fuel youll and so on will again be easier for us to guide you with. Right now not knowing the engine size we will throw **** against the wall to see what sticks.
I will be going for a turbo 5.3
Cam and injectors won't be needed?
Thread Starter
Teching In
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of course but injectors are easy you can go with 1100cc injectors to be able to handle what you’re throwing at it. When it comes to a cam I personally would call Comp Cams or Texas speed and see if an off the shelf will work for what you want to do or if a custom grind will work best.
Absolutely correct, Gary. The more power you make, the shorter the lifespan. Sure, an extra 50hp-100hp on a stock build, lets say a cammed and ported LS6 engine, isnt going to throw reliability in the toilet. But years ago, I read several different articles on engine development, by different writers and engines from different manufacturers. Even motorcycle engines and diesels were included. In almost every case, the engines (back then!) were over engineered to the point that you wouldn't appreciably shorten engine life if you didnt increase output more than 20%. Anything over 20% generally shortened engine life. One of my sons works as an ME at Cummins diesel. I asked him about the "Bully Dog" handheld tuners, which one of my friends has, and gives a tremendous boost to diesel output. He said they found thru R&D that engine life was always compromised when using such a tuner, which changes the point the waste gate opens on turbos. They know when someone has tuned their diesel. He said they had to learn how to track it, because it became obvious that warranty claims were increasing right along with hand held tuner sales, lol....