What type of block is this...
Launching!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 222
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From: Ontario Canada
As far as I know GM no longer has a production 5.7L engine and this new 5.3L casting takes its place having sleeves that can be finished for either bore size.
I first heard about this here on LS1Tech (the search feature doesn't work very well these days so I cant find it) and there is enough material in the sleeve for the 3.90 bore size, apparently the block was designed this way, you know keeping production costs down.
So for now as far as new GM blocks, as far as I know you will be seeing blocks with 5.3L and 6.0L cast in the back of the block with the 7.0L soon to follow
Also as far as I know all 5.3L engines are aluminum block now and there is no longer an iron 5.3L production engine from GM.
I first heard about this here on LS1Tech (the search feature doesn't work very well these days so I cant find it) and there is enough material in the sleeve for the 3.90 bore size, apparently the block was designed this way, you know keeping production costs down.
So for now as far as new GM blocks, as far as I know you will be seeing blocks with 5.3L and 6.0L cast in the back of the block with the 7.0L soon to follow
Also as far as I know all 5.3L engines are aluminum block now and there is no longer an iron 5.3L production engine from GM.
Launching!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by CamaroJoe
As far as I know GM no longer has a production 5.7L engine and this new 5.3L casting takes its place having sleeves that can be finished for either bore size.
I first heard about this here on LS1Tech (the search feature doesn't work very well these days so I cant find it) and there is enough material in the sleeve for the 3.90 bore size, apparently the block was designed this way, you know keeping production costs down.
So for now as far as new GM blocks, as far as I know you will be seeing blocks with 5.3L and 6.0L cast in the back of the block with the 7.0L soon to follow
Also as far as I know all 5.3L engines are aluminum block now and there is no longer an iron 5.3L production engine from GM.
I first heard about this here on LS1Tech (the search feature doesn't work very well these days so I cant find it) and there is enough material in the sleeve for the 3.90 bore size, apparently the block was designed this way, you know keeping production costs down.
So for now as far as new GM blocks, as far as I know you will be seeing blocks with 5.3L and 6.0L cast in the back of the block with the 7.0L soon to follow
Also as far as I know all 5.3L engines are aluminum block now and there is no longer an iron 5.3L production engine from GM.
Thanks for the info Camaro Joe. This is what I thought that GM was doing. If all the new truck motors are alum. the there will be a lot more good cheap core motors out there. This might be a good way to go for alot of people.
Launching!
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Ontario Canada
Originally Posted by StickSS
Thanks for the info Camaro Joe. This is what I thought that GM was doing. If all the new truck motors are alum. the there will be a lot more good cheap core motors out there. This might be a good way to go for alot of people.
Actually I was wrong a bit, it looks like there is a high output 5.3L for the trucks which is aluminum and there is still an iron 5.3L but I'm pretty sure the other info is correct.
I wonder though how much longer Iron 5.3L and Iron 6.0L blocks will be produced with the LS2 6.0L aluminum block having what looks like some provision for DOD cast into the block.
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 252
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From: ONTARIO/CANADA
Hi Matt, the new 5.3 bare blocks we buy from GM are identical to a 2001 ZO6 block except for 2 things; the bore is smaller (5.3 stock) and the material behind the sleeves is a bit thicker as well. These blocks also lend themselves as a better choice for a 427 re-sleeved engine as they have the bay to bay breathing (ZO6) and the extra material behind the sleeve gives better cylinderwall stability.
The identical shortblock you have (block and all) was in Mighty Mouses car for a few years and made over 800rwhp with no issues Ask dave how reliable the shortblock was, he actually came in with a cracked cylinderwall ( 5.7 block) and we replaced it with a 5.3.
These blocks cost us a bit more to but but are more reliable and this is what we have been selling for the past year as a 5.7 as someone mentioned this is the replacement for the 5.7 anyway.
I will " RE-SEND" the engine build sheet over to you today, not sure why you didn't recieve it? I know it was sent. I will call after it is sent just to follow up and answer any other questions on the engine.
The identical shortblock you have (block and all) was in Mighty Mouses car for a few years and made over 800rwhp with no issues
Ask dave how reliable the shortblock was, he actually came in with a cracked cylinderwall ( 5.7 block) and we replaced it with a 5.3.These blocks cost us a bit more to but but are more reliable and this is what we have been selling for the past year as a 5.7 as someone mentioned this is the replacement for the 5.7 anyway.
I will " RE-SEND" the engine build sheet over to you today, not sure why you didn't recieve it? I know it was sent. I will call after it is sent just to follow up and answer any other questions on the engine.
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: ONTARIO/CANADA
The 5.3 blocks alum. or steel can be bored to 3.900 no problem ( sonic testing is manditory ) We have done many with no isues. The cast 5.3/4.8 block has just as much wall thickness as the 6.0 (steel) after it is bored to 3.900
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Originally Posted by technical
I don't think there was a 5.3 Al block before. It's new because GM is now putting Al 5.3 engines in the Monte SS, and the Impala SS, Grand Prix GXP and some trucks.
The 5.3l Aluminum block was introduced first in the SSR. From 99-02 the 5.3 blocks that came in the gmc sierra and chevy silvy were iron blocks. The best way to tell them apart is that the 5.3 iron block and the 4.8 are the exact same block just different internals( rod length, crank), and the block says 5.3/4.8 on it!!!!!! Since this one says 5.3 only on it its probably the aluminum block 5.3. I have also heard that broing these out above 3.903 is very unstable however when done in the iron block it holds stable!! You can bore the iron block 5.3 out to 3.903 at max and throw in a 4.00 crank with 6.125 rods and obtain a 383iron small block!!!
