L83 (the DI 5.3 L83) engine weight?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Park City Utah
L83 (the DI 5.3 L83) engine weight?
Anyone know, or know where to find the "loaded" engine weight is for the later, DI, aluminum 5.3 truck engine. Info on it is sparse. I found one bit that said 550 lbs...but that seems high?
If an L98 is 550 "loaded", which seems to be in the ball park, you'd think an all aluminum engine w/a plastic intake would be lighter. I'd think anyway. Anyone know/have one?
If an L98 is 550 "loaded", which seems to be in the ball park, you'd think an all aluminum engine w/a plastic intake would be lighter. I'd think anyway. Anyone know/have one?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
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From: Park City Utah
Huh. I was wishing it would be lighter. Thinking of the Kart, here. I have that 400 for it, but a lighter engine would be a good idea, since the thing is pretty front heavy right now (1300Frt, 1000 Rr). I keep thinking of lighter options, but nothing really "clicks" for me. I've thought about Caddy N* 4.6, Toyota (truck and Lexus) V8's, etc...they're all over 450lbs, so not really worth the radical swap, for maybe 100 lbs?
Saw THIS today and so w/the aluminum block/plastic intake started thinking about it too....but I'm not seeing a meaningful weight savings over the Gen I SBC.
The only "good" idea I've found is the aluminum Buick 215 V8...which you could get from a Range Rover in as large as a 4.6L (278 CID) which weighs 407 dressed and wet, (Wiki claims 370 dry lbs for the RR version...I'd guess stripped?) and probably make a pretty easy 300 hp from with cam headers and ported heads and intake. But I don't believe those things are what you'd call....super durable.
IDK...just the never ending day-dreaming and fantasizing. Always makin' "BIG plans"!!
.
Saw THIS today and so w/the aluminum block/plastic intake started thinking about it too....but I'm not seeing a meaningful weight savings over the Gen I SBC.
The only "good" idea I've found is the aluminum Buick 215 V8...which you could get from a Range Rover in as large as a 4.6L (278 CID) which weighs 407 dressed and wet, (Wiki claims 370 dry lbs for the RR version...I'd guess stripped?) and probably make a pretty easy 300 hp from with cam headers and ported heads and intake. But I don't believe those things are what you'd call....super durable.
IDK...just the never ending day-dreaming and fantasizing. Always makin' "BIG plans"!!
.
Last edited by Tom400CFI; Nov 27, 2021 at 05:18 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2020
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From: Detroit Michigan
An unconventional thought, how about the 2.7 turbo truck engine? Supposed to be lighter than the 4.3 ecotec V6 which I imagine is lighter than it's LS equivalent. Engine management and wiring would probably be a royal pain though.
More realistically, could you move the engine of your choice rearward to help with the balance? Given that it's a cart, I don't imagine cutting the firewall is a big issue. Shorter driveshaft and c beam should be fairly easy. Might have to relocate pedals and things up front though.
More realistically, could you move the engine of your choice rearward to help with the balance? Given that it's a cart, I don't imagine cutting the firewall is a big issue. Shorter driveshaft and c beam should be fairly easy. Might have to relocate pedals and things up front though.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: NEwhere Ohio
Dont monkey around with any reduced displacement heavy LS truck motor.
I have the 5.3 in my silverado 2018, and its a dog compared to my supercharged c4 corvette with optispark lt1.
the only motor i would ever consider is an alum ls3, boosted, if i could also find a way to keep traction control
otherwise, sticking with SBC (and optispark)
I have the 5.3 in my silverado 2018, and its a dog compared to my supercharged c4 corvette with optispark lt1.
the only motor i would ever consider is an alum ls3, boosted, if i could also find a way to keep traction control
otherwise, sticking with SBC (and optispark)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
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From: New Jersey
An unconventional thought, how about the 2.7 turbo truck engine? Supposed to be lighter than the 4.3 ecotec V6 which I imagine is lighter than it's LS equivalent. Engine management and wiring would probably be a royal pain though.
More realistically, could you move the engine of your choice rearward to help with the balance? Given that it's a cart, I don't imagine cutting the firewall is a big issue. Shorter driveshaft and c beam should be fairly easy. Might have to relocate pedals and things up front though.
More realistically, could you move the engine of your choice rearward to help with the balance? Given that it's a cart, I don't imagine cutting the firewall is a big issue. Shorter driveshaft and c beam should be fairly easy. Might have to relocate pedals and things up front though.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,960
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From: WI
There was a C4 ecotec build awhile back in the race section.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...build-log.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...build-log.html
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Park City Utah
The 400 I already have is probably the best option for all criteria...but I keep trying to think of the "elusive third option" that is really light weight...just to be open to weird but effective ideas. So far, the Buick/Rover V8 is the only thing I've thought of that loses enough weight to be worth considering.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
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From: New Jersey
84 is RIGHT! The turbo 4 idea is a fantastic idea; it checks many boxes. BUT...this thing needs to have an engine that sounds like a V8....and an engine that looks like a V8. Imperative.
The 400 I already have is probably the best option for all criteria...but I keep trying to think of the "elusive third option" that is really light weight...just to be open to weird but effective ideas. So far, the Buick/Rover V8 is the only thing I've thought of that loses enough weight to be worth considering.
I saw that pump ans wondered what. it was. Now I know. Any idea why they put a vacuum pump on an engine that makes...vacuum?
The 400 I already have is probably the best option for all criteria...but I keep trying to think of the "elusive third option" that is really light weight...just to be open to weird but effective ideas. So far, the Buick/Rover V8 is the only thing I've thought of that loses enough weight to be worth considering.
I saw that pump ans wondered what. it was. Now I know. Any idea why they put a vacuum pump on an engine that makes...vacuum?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
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From: New Jersey
I guess. And you're leaned out only running 4 cylinders at any given point. Couple that with the high compression... Yeah, more than likely. I'm almost positive it makes little vacuum in V4 mode. It wouldn't have it for no reason imo.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Park City Utah
Well, funny you should say that (and the reason why I asked), b/c I jsut got into an argument (if you can believe it!) on the Rennlist forums about the need for one when I bitched about my wife's Cayenne S having a vacuum pump (oil leaking device) on a NA 4.8 V8 that doesn't have DOD and does make it's own vacuum. Members there let me know how smart the german engineers are and that was "proof" as to the reason for the vacuum pump on that car.
On the chev, I can see (somewhat) the need, in V4 mode, especially if they use the vacuum pump for the PCV function.
On the chev, I can see (somewhat) the need, in V4 mode, especially if they use the vacuum pump for the PCV function.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
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I can't help ya with engine weights but transmission gets mentioned quite often so
These are '01 full size GM truck
GM 4L60E w/298mm conv wet 196+ lb, w/300mm conv 218 lb
GM4L80E 260 lb
In something like a 2WD Canyon, Colorado
4L60E w/245mm conv 160 lb, w/255mm conv 198 lb
6L50 198 lb & 6L80 245 lb
These are '01 full size GM truck
GM 4L60E w/298mm conv wet 196+ lb, w/300mm conv 218 lb
GM4L80E 260 lb
In something like a 2WD Canyon, Colorado
4L60E w/245mm conv 160 lb, w/255mm conv 198 lb
6L50 198 lb & 6L80 245 lb
Last edited by WVZR-1; Nov 28, 2021 at 10:46 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Clearwater Florida
I have the 5.3 in my silverado 2018, and its a dog compared to my supercharged c4 corvette with optispark lt1.
..... Why does this NOT surprise everyone ??? .....
..... Tom , to change the weight bias on your Kart why not move the front axle forward and leave the engine where it is ? ...
..... Why does this NOT surprise everyone ??? .....
..... Tom , to change the weight bias on your Kart why not move the front axle forward and leave the engine where it is ? ...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
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From: New Jersey
K member is removable though isn't it? Could you not offset it forward an inch or two then just build offset motor mounts to keep the engine where it is?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Park City Utah
That's a great point. Possibly. I'll have to study that a bit. That's a very good idea, I think. Thanks!
The engine could go rearward ~2" pretty easily as is...~4" with a pretty small amount of firewall work. So if I did a little here, and a little there....
The engine could go rearward ~2" pretty easily as is...~4" with a pretty small amount of firewall work. So if I did a little here, and a little there....
Last edited by Tom400CFI; Nov 29, 2021 at 03:05 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,133
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From: Ohio
I have the 5.3 in my silverado 2018, and its a dog compared to my supercharged c4 corvette with optispark lt1.
..... Why does this NOT surprise everyone ??? .....
..... Tom , to change the weight bias on your Kart why not move the front axle forward and leave the engine where it is ? ...
..... Why does this NOT surprise everyone ??? .....
..... Tom , to change the weight bias on your Kart why not move the front axle forward and leave the engine where it is ? ...
As for the engine weights, you have to consider what the two engines are considered as "dressed". Accessory weights for accessories that you might not be using can make a considerable difference, especially with how manufacturers compare their dressed weights.