I know most of the folks on here are going with the 5.7 and 6.0 LS engines as a basis for their pro touring builds, but I came across someone local to me who has probably a dozen or more brand new GM 5.3 LS engines that he has priced at $1000 each. That seems like a pretty good price to me for a brand new engine in the crate, and I am thinking about picking one up for a future PT project. Has anyone had any experience setting one of these up in a first gen car? I was thinking that a little bit hotter cam and maybe some better breathing heads would wake one of these up. The engines are complete long blocks with all the tin and coil packs included. No intake manifolds or front accessories.

I also wondered if these would survive any time at all with some mild boost applied to them.

Has anyone fooled around with the 5.3's? I could keep the stock "327" badges on the car this way! ;)

Have you posted this question at www.ls1tech.com or www.pro-touring.com? Try these also.

Robert

sure it is a great start for an ls project. is it an iron or aluminum block motor? if aluminum that is a smoking deal. install is pretty much the same for all ls based installs, you will want to go with a short intake for hood clearance. I also dig the fact you could keep the 327 emblems. I have been wanting to build a modern version of my moms old 68 with a 5.3 all retro'd out.

they will take mild boost no problem. several mag articles have been done using one for cheap ls power

hell, yeah...I just bought one, took it apart, threw the pistons and rods and sved the cam. the cam is a mild comp cam, but I am going with a texas speed cam and some ported heads. It is at machine shop right now, having it punched out to a 5.7 then going back together with forged rods and pistons. I am going to run 10.8 compression in case I decide to supercharge later, but for now going with a fast 102 intake and a big mouth tb. Painless makes a nice wiring harness, and use the summit conversion kit. I will have to switch my tko to a hydo set up. I have heard the is interfence between the header and the z bar bracket you must use, but it will be about the same price. I am going to use a 02 camaro computer. My ls1 guy, says this will be a very potent little engine...around 425 rwhp, he has a chassis dyno so i'll know for sure. If I raised the compression a little, maybe get to 450. Then 150 shot of juice! I have a 383 now with a big mutha thumper cam. I love the way it sounds but it only put 341 to the tires. By the time i went through it, added holley fuel injection, I would have just as much money in it and make less power and less fuel mileage..its a win win situation. I probably wont be done until this spring.

sure it is a great start for an ls project. is it an iron or aluminum block motor? if aluminum that is a smoking deal. install is pretty much the same for all ls based installs, you will want to go with a short intake for hood clearance. I also dig the fact you could keep the 327 emblems. I have been wanting to build a modern version of my moms old 68 with a 5.3 all retro'd out.

they will take mild boost no problem. several mag articles have been done using one for cheap ls power

Pretty sure they are iron block with aluminum heads. Still an OK deal for $1K? Will the bottom end hold up to increased power? I think it is the same engine as was put in the trucks.

Here's a link from Camaro Performer's that they did- http://www.camaroperformers.com/camaro-tech/engine/camp-0909-1968-camaro-ls-engine/index.html Pretty impressive for a 5.3. Like Robert said, check out www.LS1tech.com , there is a wealth of knowledge there for LS stuff.

Does anybody know the specs on the stock truck engines, i.e., compression ratio, cam specs? The article that was linked mentions swapping the 4.7L pistons to increase the compression up to 11.5:1. What is the CR with the stock pistons? Are the aluminum heads any good at all?

$1000 seems like a pretty good deal for a brand new zero mile GM engine. I'm getting tempted to grab one and set it aside for a future project. If that doesn't come to fruition, I could probably sell it for what I would have in it. He literally has dozens of these things just sitting on pallets. Too bad they're not 6.0's!

still cheap for a new engine, 350 crate engines are more than that. iron bottom ends are stronger than aluminum so no problems there

think there around 300 hp stock ,i know my tahoe will smoke a mustang gt for a fact

A stock 5.3 pre 07 will make 265rwhp/295tq with headers. Mild cam and your 330/330.

The newer 5.3 are making 285rwhp.

They will take 6-8 lbs of boost - or up to 600 rwhp before you start to worry about piston.

Greater starter motor since you can pick them up super cheap. $200-300.

Check ls1tech like others said. the 5.3 is good for almost 400HP with cam swap and headers.

the only real downfall of the 5.3 is the small bore that keeps you from being able to use all the good factory heads.
but for a cruiser and street strip car under about 400 hp, it would make a kickass engine.

I agree it's a great little motor. you could get 400hp out of it without too much effort, hell, Camaro Performers got 500 with AFR heads if I recall correctly.

Some of these engines have then LS6 heads from the factory! Check before you throw them away or buy new heads.

Some of these engines have then LS6 heads from the factory! Check before you throw them away or buy new heads.How can you tell? Is there a casting mark or number I need to look for?

nice choice and trouble free engine with lots of aftermarket mods out there fo the 5.3

I came across someone local to me who has probably a dozen or more brand new GM 5.3 LS engines that he has priced at $1000 each. That seems like a pretty good price to me for a brand new engine in the crate

does he have more? i'd be interested in one for that price for sure:hurray:

I'll check with him tomorrow.

I'll check with him tomorrow.

cool, thanks for checking for me

just pm me a contact number or a way to get ahold of the guy, or you, or someone, thanks again:o

I'll check with him tomorrow.


any word yet? thanks:o