Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Building the 5.3L block

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 2, 2007 | 12:01 PM
  #1  
Josh@KY-Turbo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Banned
iTrader: (120)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,199
Likes: 1
Default Building the 5.3L block

I have tried using the search and have yet to find a a rock solid answer.

What is the max bore for a 5.3L iron block?

I want to stay in the 346-348ci range on my next turbo engine and would like to use the 5.3L block with my 3.905 dish pistons. I dont mind the weight and like the idea of the extra stregnth.

Thanks ahead of time.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2007 | 12:06 PM
  #2  
PREDATOR-Z's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 14,620
Likes: 17
From: BFE
Default

347 is regularly done on a 5.3L iron block

Last edited by PREDATOR-Z; Dec 2, 2007 at 12:44 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2007 | 12:18 PM
  #3  
Josh@KY-Turbo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Banned
iTrader: (120)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,199
Likes: 1
Default

Yeah but I already have a set of -26cc dished 3.905 pistons.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2007 | 12:33 PM
  #4  
Josh@KY-Turbo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Banned
iTrader: (120)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,199
Likes: 1
Default

Well I dug through some threads and found a few posts stating that you could bore the 5.3L out for 3.905 pistons. How it will handle 14+lbs of boost I dont know, but am gonna find out.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2007 | 12:35 PM
  #5  
sroach20's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (31)
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,318
Likes: 1
From: houston, Texas
Default

http://www.performancetrucks.net/for...ighlight=3.905
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2007 | 12:42 PM
  #6  
cook_dw's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Lebanon, TN
Default

Josh what you are wanting to do; I did with the engine that is in my old black SS at the shop. It can be done & yes 3.905 is the max. The Lunati pistons I used were 3.903 and the bore was 3.905.
Reply
Old Dec 2, 2007 | 10:50 PM
  #7  
Josh@KY-Turbo's Avatar
Thread Starter
Banned
iTrader: (120)
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,199
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by cook_dw
Josh what you are wanting to do; I did with the engine that is in my old black SS at the shop. It can be done & yes 3.905 is the max. The Lunati pistons I used were 3.903 and the bore was 3.905.
I bought a set of lightly used -26cc dished Mahle pistons. They are for a 3.905 bore. I got a good deal on them. I figure I can pick up a 5.3 iron block for around a $100 or so and have it bored to fit the pistons. Run a 6.125 rod and stock LS1 crank and have a nice solid 347ci short block. It will see 14+lbs of boost at time, but will spend the majority of its life around 10lbs. I am just looking to build a cheap stockish cube boost ready short block.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:58 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE