5.3; what heads?
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 415
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From: Bothell, WA
5.3; what heads? Not sure if this should go here or the conversion board...
I'm picking up a 5.3 core out of an '03 burban. From what the tech is telling me there was a problem with the castings of a lot of these heads being too porous and letting coolant seep through them consequently wiping out the mains and giving you no oil pressure. Anyone heard of this? If that's the case I'll need new/used heads. From what I'm seeing while searching stock 243's are an okay choice but will lower compression if not milled. How much so? Would that be okay for a forced induction setup later? I'm just looking at a bare bones swap just to get a gen III motor into the car and go from there later on. Any suggestions welcome.
I'm picking up a 5.3 core out of an '03 burban. From what the tech is telling me there was a problem with the castings of a lot of these heads being too porous and letting coolant seep through them consequently wiping out the mains and giving you no oil pressure. Anyone heard of this? If that's the case I'll need new/used heads. From what I'm seeing while searching stock 243's are an okay choice but will lower compression if not milled. How much so? Would that be okay for a forced induction setup later? I'm just looking at a bare bones swap just to get a gen III motor into the car and go from there later on. Any suggestions welcome.
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: Bothell, WA
What is the casting number of what?
You're saying I should just find another set of 5.3 heads?
Side question; there's no low buck cam upgrade like there was for my old lb9 motor is there? ($10 later lt1 cam)
You're saying I should just find another set of 5.3 heads?
Side question; there's no low buck cam upgrade like there was for my old lb9 motor is there? ($10 later lt1 cam)
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 14,620
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From: BFE
If I get you story straight, you're putting a 5.3L 2003 in your 91 TA.
Which heads to get? ported 5.3L heads would be the choice (2.00/1.55 valves) with a nice 218/220 .605/.581 110+2 XFI/XE-R cam.
Which heads to get? ported 5.3L heads would be the choice (2.00/1.55 valves) with a nice 218/220 .605/.581 110+2 XFI/XE-R cam.
