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5.3 Heads (need to make a decesion quick)

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Old May 2, 2006 | 10:02 PM
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Default 5.3 Heads (need to make a decesion quick)

Hey guys, I may have a chance to buy some 5.3 heads for like $200. They have Comp Dual springs on them, they are unported, and I don't think they have been milled. Should I buy these or should I pass? I may try to port them myself at home, if I do this do you think I could net some decent gains?? I don't really have the money to upgrade valves and all that.

My only goal is to eventually have 400 RWHP. Do you think this is feasable with these heads this cam---> Comp- XE-R 228/232 .588/.595 110LSA +2, and of course the bolt ons like headers, true duals, LS6 intake? Thanks for any help guys.
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Old May 2, 2006 | 10:09 PM
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Buy them and sell them to me for 201.00 lol.....They up your compression quite a bit im looking to buy some real soon here in the future. I have a buddy running the same cam with ported LS1 heads. A FEW boltons he dont even have the LS6 intake....He put down 394 to the wheels. So ya its a very reasonable man. Just remember making horsepower doesnt make you fast its only half the game.
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Old May 2, 2006 | 10:15 PM
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He runs the exact cam that I'm wanting to get? How will my horsepower level be with ported 5.3 heads as compared to ported LS1 heads?
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Old May 2, 2006 | 10:21 PM
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I'm pretty sure the 5.3's come with smaller valves than stock LS1. I'd pass on that if you don't plan on getting bigger valves and a valve job. You could find some cheap 241's and port those and probably be better off, especially if you get them milled to bring the compression up.
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Old May 2, 2006 | 10:27 PM
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Friend had milled ported 5.3's with a 224/224 and went 11.37 in a c5 so 5.3 can work! Cam/head/ex only.
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Old May 3, 2006 | 12:02 AM
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Well I am on a budget. What would give me more power- my LS1 heads home ported (possibly milled, depending on cost) or the home ported 5.3 heads?
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Old May 3, 2006 | 12:19 AM
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Consider this: 5.3's have an intake valve size of 1.89 inches and 5.7 241's or 853's have a 2.00

https://ls1tech.com/forums/showpost....2&postcount=41

I'm going to venture to guess a 241 or 853 decently ported head that's milled around .030 (~62.5 combustion chamber size) will make more power than a 5.3 head that has the stock intake valve size (1.89) and stock combustion chamber size of about 61.

I don't hear much about people using 5.3 heads with stock intake valves, do you? Maybe the 5.3 would make more power due to the compression? Not sure exactly. But to do the 5.3 right, it needs a valve job and bigger intake valve. Food for thought: Many people have gotten good results from hand ported DIY 241's and 853's.

Last edited by Xtnct00WS6; May 3, 2006 at 12:35 AM.
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Old May 3, 2006 | 01:33 AM
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Originally Posted by Xtnct00WS6
Consider this: 5.3's have an intake valve size of 1.89 inches and 5.7 241's or 853's have a 2.00

https://ls1tech.com/forums/showpost....2&postcount=41

I'm going to venture to guess a 241 or 853 decently ported head that's milled around .030 (~62.5 combustion chamber size) will make more power than a 5.3 head that has the stock intake valve size (1.89) and stock combustion chamber size of about 61.

I don't hear much about people using 5.3 heads with stock intake valves, do you? Maybe the 5.3 would make more power due to the compression? Not sure exactly. But to do the 5.3 right, it needs a valve job and bigger intake valve. Food for thought: Many people have gotten good results from hand ported DIY 241's and 853's.
What he said, if you go with 5.3s you need to increase the intake valves to at least 2.00"
Now LS2 heads are 64cc and they are getting cheaper.
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