building a 5.3
building a 5.3 Hello ls1 tech,
I have made a thread similar to this in the past but some new questions have come to mind. I am building an L33 to put in a 350z. I planned to keep it NA but after some research and input from others it seems that I will not reach my power goals with an NA 5.3. I want to reach at least 400rwhp or more. not flywheel hp... who counts flywheel Hp anyway? So I've done a little looking into turboing the 5.3 to make some power But I don't want reliability issues and won't have the money to fully build an engine and build a turbo kit. So which do you all recommend? Build for NA or turbo on low psi and do minimal upgrades to the engine to handle the boost?
Thanks
I have made a thread similar to this in the past but some new questions have come to mind. I am building an L33 to put in a 350z. I planned to keep it NA but after some research and input from others it seems that I will not reach my power goals with an NA 5.3. I want to reach at least 400rwhp or more. not flywheel hp... who counts flywheel Hp anyway? So I've done a little looking into turboing the 5.3 to make some power But I don't want reliability issues and won't have the money to fully build an engine and build a turbo kit. So which do you all recommend? Build for NA or turbo on low psi and do minimal upgrades to the engine to handle the boost?
Thanks
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
why not just do a cam with headwork (mill 'em a bit to raise compression), and a plate nitrous setup?
350-375 at the wheels, and the torque that'll come with it, is going to be a LOT more fun than the stock VQ. add the 75-100 shot for when you want more fun.
350-375 at the wheels, and the torque that'll come with it, is going to be a LOT more fun than the stock VQ. add the 75-100 shot for when you want more fun.
Hello ls1 tech,
I have made a thread similar to this in the past but some new questions have come to mind. I am building an L33 to put in a 350z. I planned to keep it NA but after some research and input from others it seems that I will not reach my power goals with an NA 5.3. I want to reach at least 400rwhp or more. not flywheel hp... who counts flywheel Hp anyway? So I've done a little looking into turboing the 5.3 to make some power But I don't want reliability issues and won't have the money to fully build an engine and build a turbo kit. So which do you all recommend? Build for NA or turbo on low psi and do minimal upgrades to the engine to handle the boost?
Thanks
I have made a thread similar to this in the past but some new questions have come to mind. I am building an L33 to put in a 350z. I planned to keep it NA but after some research and input from others it seems that I will not reach my power goals with an NA 5.3. I want to reach at least 400rwhp or more. not flywheel hp... who counts flywheel Hp anyway? So I've done a little looking into turboing the 5.3 to make some power But I don't want reliability issues and won't have the money to fully build an engine and build a turbo kit. So which do you all recommend? Build for NA or turbo on low psi and do minimal upgrades to the engine to handle the boost?
Thanks
If you were to build it for 400whp without a power adder, it would be very simple to bore and hone the block to 3.898" and use a stock LS1 rotating assembly. Then you really just need the basic bolt ons and a cam swap to hit 400whp.
Either plan would be similar in cost, I would think.
I've thought about nitrous as an option but am not all that excited to go that route. I would rather turbo it and shoot for closer to 500rwhp or just have it all motor and raise the compression run e85 and get as close to 400hp that I can. As far as turboing I have read that you can boost a stock 5.3 but it's not very safe. Most say to swap the rod bolts and head bolts out for arp and it will be fine. But I've not actually seen anyone actually doing it and how long they have run it.
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
not sure if you've seen this oldie but goodie, but it's a good base from which to start.
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...e/viewall.html
that's far more attainable than you may think.
not sure if you've seen this oldie but goodie, but it's a good base from which to start.
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...e/viewall.html
not sure if you've seen this oldie but goodie, but it's a good base from which to start.
http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...e/viewall.html
I have seen this article. All the power they make is on an engine Dyno. But it does look good. If I where Building my L33 for NA power I was looking to get TSP Cam Upgrade Kit 228r 112lsa not sure if I want dual valve springs or single? Also comes with chromoly Push Rods And I Would Get Ls7 lifters and arp rod bolts. Mill the head down for some extra compression And Possibly Run e85. If I where boosting it, I would only do rod bolts head studs and add a turbo kit. So I'm having trouble deciding. Turbo means more power but more cost with tuning and of course the kit it self. I not sure which is the better for me.
I've thought about nitrous as an option but am not all that excited to go that route. I would rather turbo it and shoot for closer to 500rwhp or just have it all motor and raise the compression run e85 and get as close to 400hp that I can. As far as turboing I have read that you can boost a stock 5.3 but it's not very safe. Most say to swap the rod bolts and head bolts out for arp and it will be fine. But I've not actually seen anyone actually doing it and how long they have run it.
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I have seen this article. All the power they make is on an engine Dyno. But it does look good. If I where Building my L33 for NA power I was looking to get TSP Cam Upgrade Kit 228r 112lsa not sure if I want dual valve springs or single? Also comes with chromoly Push Rods And I Would Get Ls7 lifters and arp rod bolts. Mill the head down for some extra compression And Possibly Run e85. If I where boosting it, I would only do rod bolts head studs and add a turbo kit. So I'm having trouble deciding. Turbo means more power but more cost with tuning and of course the kit it self. I not sure which is the better for me.
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I'm pretty sure a 5.3 can get to 400rwhp naturally aspirated with OEM castings.
Get the heads ported and milled, a nice cam with a FAST intake and you should easily reach 400 with all other bolt ons (udp, headers, cai etc). Just make sure to get good compression and to go with a well matched cam.
Get the heads ported and milled, a nice cam with a FAST intake and you should easily reach 400 with all other bolt ons (udp, headers, cai etc). Just make sure to get good compression and to go with a well matched cam.
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
If I where Building my L33 for NA power I was looking to get TSP Cam Upgrade Kit 228r 112lsa not sure if I want dual valve springs or single?
As for E85, make sure you update your fuel system to handle it. The ethanol runs a higher risk of corroding things quicker, and the Z wasn't intended to be run on E85. Plenty of guys on the Z boards had issues with seals and pipes deteriorating within a few months of starting to use it without replacing/updating with appropriate kit.