LS Noob with Gen4 5.3L
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
LS Noob with Gen4 5.3L Hello everyone,
Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask. I'm still very new to this site but I've read a plethora of information from old threads so I wanted to try my hands. I recently got my hands on gen4 5.3L block and crank out of an '08 Silverado for some pocket change. I've been planning out the build in advanced but I've wanted to make sure it would work.
My plans are to make at least ~400hp to 450hp NA in my '79 vette
So to start, Gen4 block and crank
gen4 rods and some type of working piston
799 heads
LQ9 intake adapted to DBC for ease of swap into my vehicle with upgraded injectors
54-459-11 Camshaft with the correct springs, rockers, rods, and upgraded trunions.
I think I need the LS2 style timing chain stuffs
external fuel pump with a corvette style filter/regulator
I havent looked into what I would be using for computer but my car has a t56 magnum so transmission control is not needed
Im not sure if I'm missing anything/something critical. I'm hoping to get some insight into if the pieces in my plan here are compatible. I was worried about issues using all this Gen3 stuff on my Gen4 block but from what I've read I think I'm ok. There is no rhyme or reason to the parts I chose, just that I can get these parts local and cheap. I wanted to try to get as much HP on the cheap doing the work myself with the parts I could find.
Thanks in advanced. I've seen some amazing information come from this site and wanted to see what you experts have to say.
Sorry if this is the wrong place to ask. I'm still very new to this site but I've read a plethora of information from old threads so I wanted to try my hands. I recently got my hands on gen4 5.3L block and crank out of an '08 Silverado for some pocket change. I've been planning out the build in advanced but I've wanted to make sure it would work.
My plans are to make at least ~400hp to 450hp NA in my '79 vette
So to start, Gen4 block and crank
gen4 rods and some type of working piston
799 heads
LQ9 intake adapted to DBC for ease of swap into my vehicle with upgraded injectors
54-459-11 Camshaft with the correct springs, rockers, rods, and upgraded trunions.
I think I need the LS2 style timing chain stuffs
external fuel pump with a corvette style filter/regulator
I havent looked into what I would be using for computer but my car has a t56 magnum so transmission control is not needed
Im not sure if I'm missing anything/something critical. I'm hoping to get some insight into if the pieces in my plan here are compatible. I was worried about issues using all this Gen3 stuff on my Gen4 block but from what I've read I think I'm ok. There is no rhyme or reason to the parts I chose, just that I can get these parts local and cheap. I wanted to try to get as much HP on the cheap doing the work myself with the parts I could find.
Thanks in advanced. I've seen some amazing information come from this site and wanted to see what you experts have to say.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,289
Likes: 3,615
From: Central Cal.
You're good!
400-450 flywheel, or at the wheels? Huge diff..
What are the specs on the cam? Duration(s), lift, LSA.... @.050
LS2 is kinda the default replacement timing chain of late
Just what I caught from your post.
400-450 flywheel, or at the wheels? Huge diff..
What are the specs on the cam? Duration(s), lift, LSA.... @.050
LS2 is kinda the default replacement timing chain of late
Just what I caught from your post.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
That cam is a comp cams 231/239 @ .050, 0.617/.0624 lift with factory rockers, with a 113 LSA. It seems to be Richard Holdners go to cam for making power. CCA-54-459-11 part number on summit.
I just wasn't sure if my build was gonna work using all these 'gen3' parts on my gen4 block. I'm not sure what the difference is besides AFM and VVT but I don't think my 08 block came with them anyways.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,289
Likes: 3,615
From: Central Cal.
You've got the good rods, and if it didn't come with AFM/DOD or VVT, a few less things to deal with.
You have a solid foundation.
Get a new high pressure pump, billet barbell, cam retainer plate, new lifters, pushrods (measure first...) and do a trunnion upgrade.
You have a solid foundation.
Get a new high pressure pump, billet barbell, cam retainer plate, new lifters, pushrods (measure first...) and do a trunnion upgrade.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
Sounds good. I was gonna do a cam upgrade kit through COMP to have the whole top end taken care of.
I'm still in the process of hand cleaning the block, crank, and intake so I have some time to keep an eye for deals on parts.
I'm still in the process of hand cleaning the block, crank, and intake so I have some time to keep an eye for deals on parts.
TECH Regular
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 420
Likes: 115
If you already have the parts, then OK. But, things to consider:
1) Its usually more reliable and cost effective to spend a few $$ and get a good lower miles short block or long block, and leave it alone, rather than to rebuild one. If you can live with stock pistons
2) That's a pretty big cam for a 5.3. I would guess something 224-228 might be more enjoyable to drive if its a street car.
3) For low cost, you might find that 4.8 pistons + CNC ported 5.3 heads (706/862) will work better than 799/243s. (Stock for stock, the 706/862s will win anyway but I would port then and run a smaller cam)
4) Does the truck intake clear your hood? The LQ9 intake is just a regular Gen 3 truck intake nothing special. If you can clear it, then look for a TBSS intake instead, and run a 92mm throttle body, or an adapter to run an older 3 bolt TB.
I would consider:
5.3 Engine, don't care if its gen 3 or 4. You won't be stressing it enough.
4.8 pistons
706 or 862 heads, basic porting, and a good valve job. Consider milling them a little to bring compression up to 11:1 or so
224 to 228 (intake) duration cam around .600 lift. Elgin sloppy stage 2 is cheap if its in stock. Or check with Summit, they have good support.
TBSS or Dorman LS2 intake manifold
92mm throttle body
headers to fit your car, 2.5" dual exhaust of your choice.
1) Its usually more reliable and cost effective to spend a few $$ and get a good lower miles short block or long block, and leave it alone, rather than to rebuild one. If you can live with stock pistons
2) That's a pretty big cam for a 5.3. I would guess something 224-228 might be more enjoyable to drive if its a street car.
3) For low cost, you might find that 4.8 pistons + CNC ported 5.3 heads (706/862) will work better than 799/243s. (Stock for stock, the 706/862s will win anyway but I would port then and run a smaller cam)
4) Does the truck intake clear your hood? The LQ9 intake is just a regular Gen 3 truck intake nothing special. If you can clear it, then look for a TBSS intake instead, and run a 92mm throttle body, or an adapter to run an older 3 bolt TB.
I would consider:
5.3 Engine, don't care if its gen 3 or 4. You won't be stressing it enough.
4.8 pistons
706 or 862 heads, basic porting, and a good valve job. Consider milling them a little to bring compression up to 11:1 or so
224 to 228 (intake) duration cam around .600 lift. Elgin sloppy stage 2 is cheap if its in stock. Or check with Summit, they have good support.
TBSS or Dorman LS2 intake manifold
92mm throttle body
headers to fit your car, 2.5" dual exhaust of your choice.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: May 2021
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
If you already have the parts, then OK. But, things to consider:
1) Its usually more reliable and cost effective to spend a few $$ and get a good lower miles short block or long block, and leave it alone, rather than to rebuild one. If you can live with stock pistons
2) That's a pretty big cam for a 5.3. I would guess something 224-228 might be more enjoyable to drive if its a street car.
3) For low cost, you might find that 4.8 pistons + CNC ported 5.3 heads (706/862) will work better than 799/243s. (Stock for stock, the 706/862s will win anyway but I would port then and run a smaller cam)
4) Does the truck intake clear your hood? The LQ9 intake is just a regular Gen 3 truck intake nothing special. If you can clear it, then look for a TBSS intake instead, and run a 92mm throttle body, or an adapter to run an older 3 bolt TB.
I would consider:
5.3 Engine, don't care if its gen 3 or 4. You won't be stressing it enough.
4.8 pistons
706 or 862 heads, basic porting, and a good valve job. Consider milling them a little to bring compression up to 11:1 or so
224 to 228 (intake) duration cam around .600 lift. Elgin sloppy stage 2 is cheap if its in stock. Or check with Summit, they have good support.
TBSS or Dorman LS2 intake manifold
92mm throttle body
headers to fit your car, 2.5" dual exhaust of your choice.
1) Its usually more reliable and cost effective to spend a few $$ and get a good lower miles short block or long block, and leave it alone, rather than to rebuild one. If you can live with stock pistons
2) That's a pretty big cam for a 5.3. I would guess something 224-228 might be more enjoyable to drive if its a street car.
3) For low cost, you might find that 4.8 pistons + CNC ported 5.3 heads (706/862) will work better than 799/243s. (Stock for stock, the 706/862s will win anyway but I would port then and run a smaller cam)
4) Does the truck intake clear your hood? The LQ9 intake is just a regular Gen 3 truck intake nothing special. If you can clear it, then look for a TBSS intake instead, and run a 92mm throttle body, or an adapter to run an older 3 bolt TB.
I would consider:
5.3 Engine, don't care if its gen 3 or 4. You won't be stressing it enough.
4.8 pistons
706 or 862 heads, basic porting, and a good valve job. Consider milling them a little to bring compression up to 11:1 or so
224 to 228 (intake) duration cam around .600 lift. Elgin sloppy stage 2 is cheap if its in stock. Or check with Summit, they have good support.
TBSS or Dorman LS2 intake manifold
92mm throttle body
headers to fit your car, 2.5" dual exhaust of your choice.
2) I am really pushing for 450hp so I was thinking a big boom stick would help. I've definitely heard of the SS2 cam but will it make the power I'm looking for if I bump the compression?
3) and 4) I chose the 799s and lq9 intake because I can get them cheap locally. I could maybe go TBSS but not for the same price that's for sure. And I'm not sure if it'll clear my hood but an L88 was in the plans anyways.
Thanks for your insight. I'll definitely be considering a few different things since right now I only have the block and crank
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TECH Regular
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 420
Likes: 115
The "Sloppy Stage 2", or any of the dozen that are almost the same, is I believe a 228/230, with a 0.585 lift. Still pretty healthy for a 5.3.
You want to think about your goal. You have different ways to get to your number. A big cam gets you to a peak number, but likely quite soft on the bottom end. You'd want to look at your DCR for sure with that cam. If you keep the lift reasonable, you can use single springs (cheaper). But if you port your heads to take advantage of flow at higher lifts, by all means go with more lift.
But, if you add compression, you will pick up everywhere
If you add a decent manifold (TBSS, Dorman LS2, or an older used FAST), you will pick up everywhere
If you do a good valve job and port the heads, you will pick up everywhere.
Those kind of things will likely add 50 hp, without even discussing the cam. Then you can go with a smaller cam, still make the peak number, but have huge gains under the curve.
In my GMC, I run a small cam, a 223/231 (this is in a 6.0), and I have CNCd heads and a TBSS intake. Pulls strong to 6500, would probably pull to 7000 in a 5.3. And still cruises with a locked converter at 1600 rpm.
You want to think about your goal. You have different ways to get to your number. A big cam gets you to a peak number, but likely quite soft on the bottom end. You'd want to look at your DCR for sure with that cam. If you keep the lift reasonable, you can use single springs (cheaper). But if you port your heads to take advantage of flow at higher lifts, by all means go with more lift.
But, if you add compression, you will pick up everywhere
If you add a decent manifold (TBSS, Dorman LS2, or an older used FAST), you will pick up everywhere
If you do a good valve job and port the heads, you will pick up everywhere.
Those kind of things will likely add 50 hp, without even discussing the cam. Then you can go with a smaller cam, still make the peak number, but have huge gains under the curve.
In my GMC, I run a small cam, a 223/231 (this is in a 6.0), and I have CNCd heads and a TBSS intake. Pulls strong to 6500, would probably pull to 7000 in a 5.3. And still cruises with a locked converter at 1600 rpm.
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On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 108
Likes: 40
From: Lombard, Il
Your choice of cam (231/239 @ .050, 0.617/.0624) is great if you plan to drive your car on the dyno....If you plan to drive your car on roads and stuff where you can enjoy it, get something a little lighter in the duration. Watch you cam timing and how it plays into your DCR.
Be careful, you don't want to ask too many cathedral port questions in the Gen IV section!
Be careful, you don't want to ask too many cathedral port questions in the Gen IV section!