5.3L gets over 400 hp
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 84
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From: Naples FL
5.3L gets over 400 hp
I've noticed some curiousity about the 5.3 out there. Well, my dyno guy at MAS performance in Wisconsin just finished a 5.3 that dyno'd out at around 410 hp and 420 tq (I forget the exact #s). I forgot to ask him if it was a iron or aluminum block. Wasn't really interested when I talked to him. I really don't know much about these late model engines, just thought you guys might like to know what's possible. I guess the only big change on the engine was a .530 lift cam. Pretty sure he said the short block is all stock.
One of these days I'll have to get into these LS engines. I just haven't developed much interest in them yet.
Have fun!
One of these days I'll have to get into these LS engines. I just haven't developed much interest in them yet.
Have fun!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
5.3 is a truck engine. GM started using them 8 or 10 years ago. Aluminum heads and iron block. LS1 stroke with a smaller bore. Not too good of a platform for performance engines. If you have to have a truck engine to start with, the 6.0 is a much better start.
To get that kind of HP out of an N/A 5.3 you would need a big cam and some pretty serious head work. I have a 5.3 in an '05GMC truck that makes 420 hp and 450 tq, but it has a blower on top with 9psi of boost. Also bigger cam, headers, and boost cooler.
The 5.3 is basically an iron blocked LS1 with smaller bore, heads that don't breathe too well, and a smaller cam. Made more for low rpm power than performance apps.
To get that kind of HP out of an N/A 5.3 you would need a big cam and some pretty serious head work. I have a 5.3 in an '05GMC truck that makes 420 hp and 450 tq, but it has a blower on top with 9psi of boost. Also bigger cam, headers, and boost cooler.
The 5.3 is basically an iron blocked LS1 with smaller bore, heads that don't breathe too well, and a smaller cam. Made more for low rpm power than performance apps.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,370
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh NC
There is an all aluminum 5.3. The LS4 found in Impala SS's and Grand Prix GXP's. Rated at 303hp and 323 ft-lb torque. My wife has an '06 Impala SS that I took to the track...13.75 at 101.6...stock right down to the paper filter with very little traction
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,771
Likes: 177
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
I just assumed he was taking about the 5.3 truck engine.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Social Circle Georgia
As soon as we dyno C4orce, I'll let you know what type of power we are making with it's 5.3. Don't hold your breath though, it's a good number of months away before we get that car near a dyno. Hopefully by summer next year.
A 5.3 can be an excellent choice for an engine. Is the 6.0 better, sure, but it depends on your goals and budget. I wouldn't dismiss a 5.3 though.
A 5.3 can be an excellent choice for an engine. Is the 6.0 better, sure, but it depends on your goals and budget. I wouldn't dismiss a 5.3 though.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
From: National City MI
The 5.3 has plenty of displacement for that kind of horsepower. I am sure as time goes by there will be more and more aftermarket parts for them also.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
As mentioned, the LS4 5.3L is designed for FWD applications. My vote
is that it wouldn't be likely to migrate an LS4 into a RWD application
simply or cheaply.
The RWD versions of the 5.3L are the LM4 (Al block/Al heads), LM7
(Fe/Al) and the L33 (Al/Al). At least this was the case as of 2007/03
when I gathered some information on the subject - see post #55 in
Corvette Fever- Project C4orce- Have you heard?
I still haven't heard of anyone taking up my suggestion of playing
'mix-'n-match' with bores and strokes. With a 3.27" stroke and a
6.278" rod, interesting things become possible. In a V8 block with
a 4" bore, a 3.27" stroke gives a displacement of 5.4L (329 ci). Such
a combination would produce redlines of the following values
By the way, has anyone discovered a steady source of sub-$1K 5.3L
engines? RAM AIR FORMULA kept talking about these in the Project
C4orce thread - that was half a year ago and I still see 5.3L's selling
closer to $2K.
.
is that it wouldn't be likely to migrate an LS4 into a RWD application
simply or cheaply.
The RWD versions of the 5.3L are the LM4 (Al block/Al heads), LM7
(Fe/Al) and the L33 (Al/Al). At least this was the case as of 2007/03
when I gathered some information on the subject - see post #55 in
Corvette Fever- Project C4orce- Have you heard?
I still haven't heard of anyone taking up my suggestion of playing
'mix-'n-match' with bores and strokes. With a 3.27" stroke and a
6.278" rod, interesting things become possible. In a V8 block with
a 4" bore, a 3.27" stroke gives a displacement of 5.4L (329 ci). Such
a combination would produce redlines of the following values
- 6,500 RPM (With an OEM-like conservative piston speed of 3,550 FPM)
- 7,350 RPM (Equivalent to the PS of 4,000 FPM that many tuner
products enable. - 8,500 RPM (Equivalent to the PS of 4,600 FPM that the LS7 has)
By the way, has anyone discovered a steady source of sub-$1K 5.3L
engines? RAM AIR FORMULA kept talking about these in the Project
C4orce thread - that was half a year ago and I still see 5.3L's selling
closer to $2K.
.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
HotRod Magazine had an article years ago of taking a 5.3, porting the stock heads, adding a conservative cam and headers, got 450 at the crank. Decent power on the cheap....Think they came stock with a 205cc head. Have one in my truck, for a little motor is hauls that thing around pretty darn good. I bet you could get a take out prety cheap, they are a dime a dozen.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
mileage that they could be used without needing significant freshening.
How about a cap of 20,000 miles? Personally, I'd prefer much less
mileage but I'll give you a fighting chance to keep your money.
Plus, the price has to be for a complete package: full accessories,
engine harness and ECM/PCM, intake, ignition, the works. (Bonus
points for engine/transmission packages.) The purpose is to scavenge
as much as possible up front - going into a swap we have nothing and
need everything.
.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh PA
local kid here has a mid 90's Z28 with a 4.8 Liter swapped in. Cam and nitrous.
runs mid 12's at 112 or so off the bottle. was almost in the 11's with what was thought to be a 150 shot. car suffers from slipping clutch and bald nitto drag radials.
nonetheless its a very powerful little motor. makes the ford 4.6 modular look like crap in comparison n/a to n/a.
runs mid 12's at 112 or so off the bottle. was almost in the 11's with what was thought to be a 150 shot. car suffers from slipping clutch and bald nitto drag radials.
nonetheless its a very powerful little motor. makes the ford 4.6 modular look like crap in comparison n/a to n/a.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Ok, back up that statement with links to examples showing low enough
mileage that they could be used without needing significant freshening.
mileage that they could be used without needing significant freshening.
I dont have a link.....I would bet most junkyards or places like truck forums on LS1.com have some fair deals on something like that. You are right in one respect though, you need a lower mile example as you just cant bore them repeatedly such as a typical sbc.Good part is those motors are very durable and last a long time.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Numbers for the 2008 truck engines as represented at GM Media Online
While certain engine codes have higher outputs when installed in some
models of truck chassis, the lower base output appears here.
4.8L (96.01 mm x 83 mm)
- 293ci (3.779" x 3.27" w/ 6.278" rod)
- 325ci (3.779" x 3.622" w/ 6.098" rod)
While certain engine codes have higher outputs when installed in some
models of truck chassis, the lower base output appears here.
4.8L (96.01 mm x 83 mm)
- 293ci (3.779" x 3.27" w/ 6.278" rod)
LY2 Fe/Al 295HP/305TQ @ 5600/4800
5.3L (96.01 mm x 92 mm)- 325ci (3.779" x 3.622" w/ 6.098" rod)
LH8 Al/Al 300HP/320TQ @ 5200/4000
LMF Fe/Al 301HP/325TQ @ 5200/4500
LC9 Al/Al 310HP/335TQ @ 5200/4400 (FlexFuel)
LH6 Al/Al 315HP/338TQ @ 5200/4400
LY5 Fe/Al 320HP/340TQ @ 5200/4200
LMG Fe/Al 320HP/340TQ @ 5200/4200 (FlexFuel)
Legend: Fe = Iron. Al = Aluminum
LMF Fe/Al 301HP/325TQ @ 5200/4500
LC9 Al/Al 310HP/335TQ @ 5200/4400 (FlexFuel)
LH6 Al/Al 315HP/338TQ @ 5200/4400
LY5 Fe/Al 320HP/340TQ @ 5200/4200
LMG Fe/Al 320HP/340TQ @ 5200/4200 (FlexFuel)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
Local kid here has a mid 90's Z28 with a 4.8 Liter swapped in. Cam and
nitrous.
Runs mid 12's at 112 or so off the bottle. Was almost in the 11's with
what was thought to be a 150 shot. Car suffers from slipping clutch
and bald nitto drag radials.
Nonetheless, it's a very powerful little motor. Makes the Ford 4.6 modular
look bad in comparison - n/a to n/a.
nitrous.
Runs mid 12's at 112 or so off the bottle. Was almost in the 11's with
what was thought to be a 150 shot. Car suffers from slipping clutch
and bald nitto drag radials.
Nonetheless, it's a very powerful little motor. Makes the Ford 4.6 modular
look bad in comparison - n/a to n/a.
manual? Any guess as to the run weight?
.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 2
From: Pittsburgh PA
the kids car is stripped out pretty good now...just front seats and no carpet/rear seats that i remember. still has dash and etc. not sure tho its been awhile since i've seen it
its a 94 camaro originally a 6 cyliinder car..now sports a 6 speed, hence the slipping clutch mentioned
and 4.8 liter. 00 camaro Ls1 intake on it as well as the wiring harness. 4.56 gears
12.33 at 113 on motor and ran 12.0 on the spray missing 4th. next run broke the 10 bolt rear.
i'd say the car weighs 3500-3550 lbs with him in it, or so. its hard to tell but the car makes GREAT power. probly 375whp. not bad for 283 inches
best thing is you can pick up 4.8's and 5.3's for a dime a dozen. it used to be 6 liters but they now became popular and prices gone up. now its 5.3's and 4.8s. there are capable plants
its a 94 camaro originally a 6 cyliinder car..now sports a 6 speed, hence the slipping clutch mentioned
and 4.8 liter. 00 camaro Ls1 intake on it as well as the wiring harness. 4.56 gears12.33 at 113 on motor and ran 12.0 on the spray missing 4th. next run broke the 10 bolt rear.
i'd say the car weighs 3500-3550 lbs with him in it, or so. its hard to tell but the car makes GREAT power. probly 375whp. not bad for 283 inches
best thing is you can pick up 4.8's and 5.3's for a dime a dozen. it used to be 6 liters but they now became popular and prices gone up. now its 5.3's and 4.8s. there are capable plants
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 9,036
Likes: 13
From: Edmonton AB
This vendor is rated at 99.3% on 5228 transactions. Past examples
show that their OBO items close for within $200-300 of the asking.
2005 5.3L LH6 (300HP/330TQ @ 5200/4000) w/ 4L60E, PCM, harness & all accy
5 Original Miles - $3,500 OBO
2004 5.3L L59 (295HP/330TQ @ 5200/4000) w/o trans, incl PCM, harness & all accy
3,200 Original Miles - $2,000 OBO
2004 5.3L L59 (295HP/330TQ @ 5200/4000) w/o trans, incl PCM, harness & all accy
5 Original Miles - $1,900 and counting
A search of the site turns up 5.3L examples for well under $1K, but5 Original Miles - $3,500 OBO
2004 5.3L L59 (295HP/330TQ @ 5200/4000) w/o trans, incl PCM, harness & all accy
3,200 Original Miles - $2,000 OBO
2004 5.3L L59 (295HP/330TQ @ 5200/4000) w/o trans, incl PCM, harness & all accy
5 Original Miles - $1,900 and counting
these are high mile (70K+) and lack key swap items that the examples
above include.
.
