Joined: Dec 2018

Posts: 1

Likes: 0

From: Clarkesville GA

Just picked up a Jeep with a 5.3 in it, and after reading and snooping around on these forums it’s got me really interested in these ls motors. I know my way around a common rail 24v but this is all new. I’m having an airboat built towards the end of February and with the prices of all the engines these builders use there’s no way I’d be able to afford one, and probably wouldn’t buy one even if I could. You’re probably thinking I should be on an airboat forum and I’ve already spent some time on one and usually everyone’s either pushing a big block or one of the 20k dollar builds from some of these airboat builders. I’ve found very little on ls engines and airboats and what I have is nothing like the info I’ve found on here. From what all I’ve gathered each one has somewhat of its own pros and cons, and all I’m trying to get out of one is about 500-550hp but it’s GOT TO BE RELIABLE. I’d imagine the load from the prop would be similar(could be wrong)of towing. Weight is a pretty big deal also and I found an ls2 block fresh out of the machine shop for a thousand bucks, but also read where the ls3s are stronger and don’t know if not because of the power, but because of the constant load if it would be worth going with the ls3 block instead? Usually with the reduction drive boxes it’s gonna spend most of its time below 4K rpm with the exception of short dry runs and then will be around 6k rpm. Low end torque is a big deal and would like for it to be as fuel efficient as possible. I haven’t made any phone calls to anywhere yet and would like to try and pick up all the main stuff like heads, block and whatnot used if possible and when everything is figured then the pistons, cam and everything else later. Definitely want to stay fuel injected but aside from that the simpler, the better. What’s the best foundation/starting point for what I’m wanting do to?

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 967

Likes: 53

From: Winter Haven FL

Joined: Jan 2018

Posts: 1,251

Likes: 239

From: Dade City, Fl.