Power Potential for 5.3L?
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
Power Potential for 5.3L? Hey Everyone.
Trying to figure about how far i can go with this motor before its much more cost efficient to just find an LS1 shortblock.
Here's my current mods:
LS6 intake
TR230 cam
918 Springs
1 5/8" LT headers
ORY
Magnaflow catback
CAI
ASP Underdrive
Would heads, like say the PRC Stg. 2.5 5.3L heads make much of a gain on this motor?
Im figureing im about at as big as a cam i should go with the motor, as its got a smaller displacement. I know i can bore the 5.3L to 5.7L bore size, then id be better with the 5.3L heads and a bigger cam.
Any opinions on whats my max for this engine? or an idea or where id be at right about now hp wise?
Sheldon
Trying to figure about how far i can go with this motor before its much more cost efficient to just find an LS1 shortblock.
Here's my current mods:
LS6 intake
TR230 cam
918 Springs
1 5/8" LT headers
ORY
Magnaflow catback
CAI
ASP Underdrive
Would heads, like say the PRC Stg. 2.5 5.3L heads make much of a gain on this motor?
Im figureing im about at as big as a cam i should go with the motor, as its got a smaller displacement. I know i can bore the 5.3L to 5.7L bore size, then id be better with the 5.3L heads and a bigger cam.
Any opinions on whats my max for this engine? or an idea or where id be at right about now hp wise?
Sheldon
i was wondering the same thing regarding the 5.3 motors. i think you could simply deduct 15-20whp from a fully built setup comparable to an ls1 because of the cubes. perhaps that can be overcome with rpm, as less displacement would allow more rpm? i dunno, but i'd like to build one and find out. the engines are cheap and parts are all interchangable. only problem is - accessories won't coexist between the ls1 and lm7/lq motors.
i'd love to see a huge cammed 5.3 with some ported/milled heads on it and a vic jr. swap rod bolts and say hello to 7500 rpm.
i'd love to see a huge cammed 5.3 with some ported/milled heads on it and a vic jr. swap rod bolts and say hello to 7500 rpm.
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
WOW!
That is impressive. We have CNC ported 799 casting heads here (TSP Stg. 1) that my dad is using on his LS1, never imagined they would ever work on mine.
Good to hear the power outputs here. I read the 4.8L had flat top pistons, is this true? Could i buy a set of new 4.8 pistons and put them into my 5.3L for the flat top?
Or i could buy some 5.3l pistons from the 05+ trucks.
This is awesome info! Im hoping with my cam in around 360 - 370rwhp. Maybe some head porting, & flat top pistons i can start fighting LS1's
That is impressive. We have CNC ported 799 casting heads here (TSP Stg. 1) that my dad is using on his LS1, never imagined they would ever work on mine.
Good to hear the power outputs here. I read the 4.8L had flat top pistons, is this true? Could i buy a set of new 4.8 pistons and put them into my 5.3L for the flat top?
Or i could buy some 5.3l pistons from the 05+ trucks.
This is awesome info! Im hoping with my cam in around 360 - 370rwhp. Maybe some head porting, & flat top pistons i can start fighting LS1's
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (4)
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
GMPD Says $43 each for 5.3L Pistons w/Eng code "B", im assuming this is the 5.3 HO vin code? Their an extra $10 each over regular ones. These the flat tops?
Sheldon
Sheldon
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Atascadero, CA
thread resurrection I'd like to bring this thread to life again. Reason being: I have 63 Nova that needs building. I had been looking for a lq4/lq9 to put in it. Then I came across a guy that practically gave me a complete 5.3L w/only 40k on the ticker so I couldn't pass it up. The year is approx. 03/04. With that being said, I'd like to keep the rotating assy as is as it looks to be in real good shape. With that being said, keeping the motor N/A and no juice, what can I get outta this thing. The plan is to put a t56 behind it (still looking for one of those). Here's my plan "A" so far: I was thinking about the TSP 228R with a set of PRC 5.3L 2.5's. I was also thinking about that new Edelbrock Pro-Flo XP intake. I think that thing would look pretty bitchin' in the Nova. I'm not looking to blow the doors off everybody in the county, just spirited driving from time to time. But, I don't want the thing to be a slug either. I'm kinda looking to be between 350 rwhp and 400 rwhp. What kinda power am I looking at here? Let's assume I'm not going to bore this thing out. If I did, I know what I'd use and about how much power I'd be putting down. So, it's staying 5.3L for now. Where am I at boys and girls?
Last edited by Tack; Apr 23, 2009 at 04:12 PM. Reason: because i forgot something.
I'd like to bring this thread to life again. Reason being: I have 63 Nova that needs building. I had been looking for a lq4/lq9 to put in it. Then I came across a guy that practically gave me a complete 5.3L w/only 40k on the ticker so I couldn't pass it up. The year is approx. 03/04. With that being said, I'd like to keep the rotating assy as is as it looks to be in real good shape. With that being said, keeping the motor N/A and no juice, what can I get outta this thing. The plan is to put a t56 behind it (still looking for one of those). Here's my plan "A" so far: I was thinking about the TSP 228R with a set of PRC 5.3L 2.5's. I was also thinking about that new Edelbrock Pro-Flo XP intake. I think that thing would look pretty bitchin' in the Nova. I'm not looking to blow the doors off everybody in the county, just spirited driving from time to time. But, I don't want the thing to be a slug either. I'm kinda looking to be between 350 rwhp and 400 rwhp. What kinda power am I looking at here? Let's assume I'm not going to bore this thing out. If I did, I know what I'd use and about how much power I'd be putting down. So, it's staying 5.3L for now. Where am I at boys and girls?
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Atascadero, CA
I have done this build already. I did a set of TEA 243 heads, a 224/227 570/577 cam, prof products intake, full exhaust though a six speed. It was an HO 5.3 out of a 06 truck. It put down 386rwhp with 361 ft pounds. With a bigger cam would have made 400 easy
Most people who run them, have them pushing a 4500+lbs. truck (may be similar to your weight) and then are still able to make good power, and run damn good times at the track.
Personally, to gain the most out of that 5.3 while still retaining good driving qualities in your car, I would try and run a similar setup to the original thread starters.
The same bolt on setup:ls6(if staying efi), or the gm/vic jr. intake w/ a 750-850 cfm carb, headers, ud, etc...
A Cam with low 23x/23x duration, around .59x/59x (+or- .010) lifts, and a 113 (+or- 1 degree)lsa
A good flowing set of 5.3 ported heads with a little milling and/or thinner gaskets (to get around 10.8:1 CR), and a good beehive with some titanium retainers to keep the valve-train lighter (for some good hi revs)
A decent 3200-3600 stall (if you end up going auto)
Some 3.73s to get her moving
And you would have a really decent "budget" ride that you could drive everyday (if need be),abuse at the track, then drive home, still have lots of life to live. And would react well to a little nitrous if you ever decided to switch to the dark-side.
Last edited by wzup1000; Apr 24, 2009 at 05:07 AM.
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Atascadero, CA
That's great input. Thanks. FYI, curb weight of a 63 Nova with 6 banger/2 spd power glide is no where near 4800lbs. It's a skimpy 2800lbs or so. So I figure it'll be about 3k lbs w/5.3l + t56. Thanks again guys.
Teching In
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Atascadero, CA
Well, nevermind I guess. I just won an auction on ebay for a ls1/t56 out of a gto. hell yeah. thanks again for all the replys though, it's appreciated. by the way, i have a complete low mileage 5.3L for sale! 
