I have a 2000 Corvette and I am going to have a motor built for it.

First question is I am looking at Thompson Motorsports to do the build. Anyone have any experience with them?

Any recommendations on what HP rating I should be targeting to still have a streetable ride? With stock rear end and automatic trans. I was thinking 450? Would 500 be too much to drive daily?

I am looking to use a new 5.7 LS1 block. Thompson motorsports said they'd recommend using a 5.3 aluminum block bored to 5.7 due to better oil flow. Anyone have any opinions on this? To me it just seems I'd want a 5.7, but if the oil flow thing is true I guess I'd want the 5.3 bored?

Any recommendations on cam? Or maximum size cam and torque converter combo I'd want to use to keep MPG as good as possible and daily drivability?

Should I be looking to go 383 stroker, or keep the 350 displacement?

How much HP difference is there between shorty and longtube headers? I'd like to use shorties for ease of install. If I went with longtube do they generally fit vette's without having to drop/replace the kmember?

How good is the intake that comes on the 00 vette. Am I good to use it or should I get a FAST intake or another generation GM intake?

How good is the stock throttle body, and how much bigger should I go?

Thanks for any advice (I am new to the vette world ),
Mike.

 

If they are doing the engine, wouldn't you let them pick the cam?
When you speak hp, are you talking at the crank or the wheels? 500 at the wheels from a 346 it pretty radical. Especially for an auto.
What gears do you have? Most were 2.73, you will want to switch to 3.42.
You will need a converter. An upgraded trans is also advisable.
A 383 makes it all easier. Less radical to get to the same hp level.
Since you will be removing the engine, adding long tubes will be easy, Just lay them in before dropping the new engine in. Probably 20hp better than shorties.
For intakes, the 2001 and later are better. Commonly called the LS6 intake.

Doing the work yourself? It's a big project! And will cost you some serious bucks to have done for you. I'm thinking $15K pretty easy.


Ron

 

I do plan on letting them pick the cam, but the question was to find out where a cam might become to radical for the street. I look forward to some camming when idling, but not looking for something that will be a pain to drive redlight to redlight. I have had several muscle cars in the past but never went past the 400hp level.

As far as the rear end ratio, I was thinking with a lot of HP I wouldnt need to step up the gearing. I always have had 3.73 or 4.11 depending on manual or auto, but this was with a lower hp car. Wouldnt the tires want to do nothing but break loose if I step the rear end up with that much HP? Like I said this is my first vette, but have had several F Bodies and a GTO and they already want to break loose (which is fun but with more HP it would require a lot of suspension and tires to put the power to the ground)

I will be doing the install myself, but having the engine built. And BTW: I was talking HP at the motor.

Any other info/advice would be appreciated. I do not know how well the C5's handle horsepower, and I want something streetable but on the edge of insane without having to completely replace my suspension if possible.

 

One of the main things I am curious for answers about is the 5.7 Block VS the 5.3 Block bored to 5.7. Is it true the 5.3's have better oil flow? Is the 5.3 bored the way to go?

 

I would be happy to provide this forum with pics and a writeup, build specs, and dyno results for my project if you guys will help me make sure I'm heading in the right direction. The 5.3 vs 5.7 block is a big question I need answered if possible. I am looking to have Thompson start the engine build this week when I have my facts straight.

 

Ah, 500 at the crank is pretty easy. Doesn't even take a lot of cam. between 226 and 230 @ .050 intake should do it. And as long as the lobe sep stays at 113-114, the idle will crackle, not thump.
With good heads of course. Stock 243 heads work well.

3.42 gears are a nice setup for the A4, and the beauty here is that all the stick cars came with 3.42 diff. so just swap the entire unit. If you shop smart, a good 3rib 3.42 diff can be had for $500.

Good to hear you will turn the bolts!

If you were to wish for a 1/4 mile ET, what would it be?

My car is pretty mellow, yet knocking on the high tens. I read everything I could here, drew on my muscle car drag race experience, bought used everywhere I could and have a good result.

it's fun stuff!

Ron

 

If I were starting with a blank sheet I would use a 6.2 ls3 block. The price difference if you are buying new isn't very much. You would have access square port heads. The ls3 intake flows really good and is really cheap. More displacement will let you hit your power goals with a less radical cam.

If you are trying to reuse parts you already have it might be a different story.

 

I would like to see mid-low 11s and I would be happy. I'm trying to find the happy median between daily driver and weekends at the track.

One of the cams I am talking with the builder about is 226 232 @50 with a 112lsa, though I am considering going with a slightly bigger cam.

Looking at a 10.5 to 1 compression ratio with 421 heads.

Probably going to run 40# injectors.

Think I should go with a high pressure or volume oil pump, or keep the standard one? I've seen threads going both directions on this subject.

I've been calling around trying to find a good transmission shop to build my automatic to handle the power. Not having too much luck so far. I am assuming I need to have my clutches and bands replaced/upgraded. Also a 3000 Stall converter. Anything I'm missing here?

 

Valid point, and I have considered going 6.0 or 6.2... But I am also trying to keep fuel mileage in mind to some extent.

If I do go with the 5.7, I do need to still figure out if the 5.3 truely has a better oiling system. And I wonder if I will have heat issues with a 5.3 bored? But from what I understand a 5.3 bored has the same piston wall size as a 5.7?

 

I am having a 390 built for 20lbs of boost! Check this out, awesome short block! It will handle just about anything you can throw at it. I would get with Arun, he is awesome at picking out cams!

http://www.aesracing.net/product_info_390LS1.htm

Also fill out your profile so we know about where you live!

 

From what Im reading, your build is not going to be crazy enough to worry about the oiling system. Plenty of C5 owners build their stock engines and don't even consider a 5.3L block. That sounds like a great way to start out spending allot of money. You may find need of a high volume oil pump if your rpm is going to be reaching much higher. It all depends on the operating range of the cam. Get us all the details you can and we can better help you decide.

 

Actually from what Kyle said at Thompson Motorsports... The new 5.3 block with the bore is $500 cheaper than a new 5.7 block.

I'm not looking for cheapness, but Kyle claims they are better. That is why I was considering it. Though I do tend to lean towards the 5.7 block just because it seems a better platform. But if the 5.3 oiling is better and bored the piston wall size is the same, I wonder if I would be a fool to use a 5.7.

The cam Kyle recommended is 226 232 @50 with a 112lsa, but I do think I might go more aggressive unless you guys think this is where I want to be for street & strip use.

 

Nice! And good price on the short block there. What type of boost are you going to run? Are you going twin turbo? What type of HP/TRQ are you expecting?

 

Not really my business, but why are you going with an engine builder in Texas when there are several first rate shops in Atlanta?

 

The machine shop I normally have do my work here is running 6-8 weeks behind. I have not found any other shops in Atlanta I trust, and found a lot of good reviews about Thompson online. Shipping is only $300 to a local Fedex hub and they can have it to me in 2 weeks. I am using all new parts so I don't technically have to have someone local. But, if you know (or anyone knows) any good engine builders in Atlanta, please let me know. I am on the east side of Atlanta, but anywhere in the metro area would be awesome. I would much prefer someone local, but I want a quality build with quality parts.

 

We can offer a fair price on a higher quality product than anyone in the country. We pride ourselves in our top grade customer service and knowlege of LS based motors. We do not build any motor that comes through the door we only build LS motors. We are here for our cusomers to make sure that every experience they have with us is the best possible experience. There are many reputable shops in Atlanta as well as all over the country but I do not know of any that will take the time to make sure that the purchase you are making is the right one like we will and continue to be there for the customer long after the sale. I definatley see the appeal to using a local shop and I understand the recommendation to use someone who you can deal with face to face but I can promise that we will make every effort to make you feel like part of the family when you use our products.

 

I don't know too much but I would check if Thompson will dyno
the engine before shipping. You will have a idea on real numbers
your engine will produce. As far as your tranny goes find a good Performance shop and you will get a tranny you can count on
and don't forget those couplers pay alittle more and you will
have alittle insurance. You will need a xtra tranny cooler as well.
You sound like like you have been thinking about this engine.
I am on the fense on the 5.3 bored. I would go for more cu in.

As far as one of the comments about 346 cu I run 725 on the
street with NO issues. My point there is nothing wrong with the
engine and with proper planning and exacution you can run big
power numbers with zero issues.

Good luck.

 

I have never done business with Thompson, but by reputation they are excellent. Heard many nice words over the last few years.

HTH

 

Rebuilding an engine is often the most expensive and most frustrating way to go. Check out all new 500 hp LS create engines before you proceed. My guess is it will be Thousands $$$ cheaper so do your homework.

 

I did not either, but lots of my buddies talking very highly about their builds. If I will do my engine, I'll go with them.
My 2c.