Generation V Internal Engine 2013-20xx LT1

5.3 Reliability with 500-600whp

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 6, 2017 | 07:45 PM
  #1  
GTOFAN91's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Default 5.3 Reliability with 500-600whp

Hey guys I am doing some research on a couple things. What would you say the reliability of 500-600whp is on a 5.3, particularly from a 2014-2017 silverado 1500. I want to do some towing with it too, and it would tow my 32ft travel trailer mostly, if that effects anything.
Thanks!
Reply
Old Feb 6, 2017 | 10:15 PM
  #2  
JakeFusion's Avatar
Super Hulk Smash
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 11,258
Likes: 146
From: Pace, FL
Default

Denmah took a Gen IV to like 996rwhp. So.

But the 14+ 5.3s are direct injection. They will make 600rwhp falling down backwards. But if you're retrofitting, the 05-13 Gen IV motors would be easier I think (and cheaper).

A Gen IV engine would be plenty reliable at 500-600rwhp with a good tune. If you are turbo'ing it, get a boost controller and intercooler and towing shouldn't be a problem either. Just turn the boost down and adjust timing etc for a tow tune.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2017 | 01:03 PM
  #3  
ls1charged's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 3
From: FL
Default

i just put a 07 iron 5.3 in my car,waiting to get the turbo kit..... but from all the research ive done, it wont even blink at 500-600 hp, assuming you got a good tune of course
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2017 | 02:14 PM
  #4  
PowellSixO's Avatar
Launching!
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 210
Likes: 13
Default

I'd be worried towing a 32' camp trailer, with 500-600 rwhp, and a 1500. The motor might be reliable, but the rest of the truck won't be.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2017 | 03:10 PM
  #5  
steves86ta's Avatar
Launching!
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 299
Likes: 2
From: Cherry Valley CA
Default

Originally Posted by PowellSixO
I'd be worried towing a 32' camp trailer, with 500-600 rwhp, and a 1500. The motor might be reliable, but the rest of the truck won't be.
that and i would think with that kind of hp, you will have a fairly loose convertor... loose convertor and towing... idk about that
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2017 | 03:51 PM
  #6  
PowellSixO's Avatar
Launching!
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 210
Likes: 13
Default

A diesel is what you need my friend. It will cost you a lot less in the long run, and be 10x more reliable.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2017 | 06:40 PM
  #7  
GTOFAN91's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
 
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Default

I thought about a diesel, but man for what they are asking nowadays for a new diesel.....From what I have seen and heard a 1500 thats a long wheels base, and has around 3.73-4.11 gears pulls pretty nice, I also don't think its too heavy, its only around 6800lbs. Its a Jayco super lite so its very lite for what it is. I wonder how much you can get into a 13-15 Duramax anymore.
Reply
Old Feb 8, 2017 | 11:12 PM
  #8  
kinglt-1's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,897
Likes: 254
From: Ft. Wayne, IN
Default

You can not beat a diesel for towing. That being said I would not turbo a 5.3 and use it for towing. If you want to tow with a gas engine then go bigger displacement.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 9, 2017 | 07:50 AM
  #9  
PowellSixO's Avatar
Launching!
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 210
Likes: 13
Default

I tow a bass boat and a camp trailer a lot. What it came down to for me, was off-roading. If you only tow with your truck, and like to go fast, then a diesel is for you. If you spend anytime off-roading, I'd stick to a gas truck. Get a newer 2500HD with the 6.0 or 6.2 and modify it to 500 rwhp. They will hold up a hell of a lot better than a 1500. I had a diesel, and when you get one of them stuck they are really stuck. Since I spend a good amount of time offroad, I went back to a gas truck. My camper weighs in at 8500 when full and my truck tows it very well with the mods I have done to it. It drinks the gas when towing, but it tows well for what I use it for.


My baby.
Name:  20170101_063914_zpstknu0yh5.jpg
Views: 3394
Size:  178.2 KB


My camper is the one on the left.
Name:  20161128_073618_zpsymyynwd5.jpg
Views: 3408
Size:  245.4 KB
Reply
Old Feb 10, 2017 | 05:54 AM
  #10  
96 Comp T/A's Avatar
TECH Regular
20 Year Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 429
Likes: 2
From: Tampa FL
Default

32 foot trailer and a 1/2 ton. No bueno. Get at least a 2500. Gas or Diesel is up to you. Yes a diesel is way more expensive, however it seems that the diesel trucks also hold their resale value quite well, so it's sort of a wash. A modern 32 foot travel trailer is going to be close to the max trailering capacity for a 1/2 ton, once you fill it with beer/soda/ice/food/clothes/propane/water/people/whatever. At the very least you will beat the transmission out of that thing prematurely, assuming you don't burn the brakes off of it first, or worse end up wadded up in the ditch, because it won't stop when you really need it to. I would think you make some good deals on some gently used Gas 2500's. The 6.0 liter is a proven powerplant, if you are are keeping it in the GM family. If you are buying new, a gas 2500 doesn't really cost any more than a comparatively equipped 1500. You just get crushed on the resale (and the gas pump).
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2017 | 01:21 PM
  #11  
KW Baraka's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 2,180
Likes: 132
From: S.A., TX
Default

Originally Posted by kinglt-1
........If you want to tow with a gas engine then go bigger displacement.
My thoughts exactly!

And whether you go with a 5.3, 6.0 or 6.2.....even with 500+ HP I wouldn't go with more than a 2600 stall TC if you plan on towing.

And to be honest, if I was in your position, I'd say "to hell with HP", and concentrate on building a torque monster engine. It would be way more beneficial in the long-run versus a high HP mill.

KW
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:43 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