Questions about cam and other upgrades to my 5.3?

[PenguinLTZ]

The HP you listed at the bottom; 380-400 at the wheels? Not with a 5.3 and only cam, and heads.
If you want that HP, build or buy a 6.0

Carl, one of our mods, can better answer most of this. I only assisted with my son's Frankenstein.

You will definitely need a stall converter. Check out Yank, somebody like Texas Speed can spec you one for your driving, and build.

That cam with your heads should work fine. That is the cam we were going to go with when we started my kids project. I think aftermarket heads are a waste of money on an otherwise stock 5.3 with just a cam. If it was a 6.0, then maybe.

Yes on the trans. You start hot rodding that truck, the trans will live a shorter life.

Yes on the trans cooler. Get one.

Limited slip diff? You will end it's live. Look at some of the Auburn Posis. Good value.

There are a couple of members here that know much more, this has just been my experiences and observations. I am an old 5.7 guy, what good could I possibly be?

Good luck man

I was told by another guy that maybe I should look into getting a set of heads off of an LS1 from a vette. He said he has tons of guys come in and thats one of the first things they do to their vettes and he has bolted them onto his 5.3 in the past. Would that work instead of getting all new replacement heads?

Ls1 are LS1 as far as I know. If I was going to do heads they would be L92 (Ls3)

I think you would be wasting your money on another set of LS1 heads

 

[66nova]

I agree again. I don't think you're going to see much gain from LS1 heads.

L92(LS3) heads are bada! Won't work on your 5.3 though. Yet another reason to get a 6.0.

 

[mr_bots]

Don't Gen IV 5.3s come with LS6 heads from the factory, which I'd imagine flow better than LS1 heads, anyways? Also, wouldn't LS1 heads decrease the compression ratio?

 

[Draenor]

What are your goals, how much is your budget, and what do you plan on doing with your truck?

N/A in a 5.3 your only going to get about 350~375ish.

Yes, trans cooler and stall. the 4l65E will be your wink link for sure. Call Chris at Circle D Specialities. He is very knowledable and will get the right stall for you.

IMO, Do the trunion upgrade for the rockers, get some LS7 lifters and Beehive springs.

 

[slims]

Did comp give you a spec sheet on that cam? It should have all the information you posted about the cam plus a bunch more.

 

[09chevyAV]

I have to agree with Scott on this. The 5.3 is a very capable motor, but if you're looking to stay naturally aspirated and make 400hp at the wheels I would start with a 6.0 or 6.2.

Can your goals be accomplished with a 5.3? Absolutely, but will the power be where you need it in a heavy ass truck. Probably not. What good is 400 hp if it's only available at 7000 rpm? If you're drag racing and have a properly matched combo to that 7000rpm great but I'm assuming this is not going to be a drag only truck and you need some torque to go with it.

6.0/6.2 is the way to go. Better heads and displacement right from the factory. Plus, depending on which one you get you are starting off with close to 400 crank hp.

What are you wanting to do with the truck?

I just want more all around power. More torque at the bottom end to get off the line and more ponies to keep going. I also want more torque to be able to haul trailers that "i cant haul because theyre too heavy" says me dad.

 

[09chevyAV]

And also I have thought about it as well. I want to try to find a 6.0 around town in a salvage yard or something to try and rebuild it while its on the stand so that way I am still using the truck. Ideally I want to find a wrecked 2500 6.0 so I can have the 4L80e transmission to be able to handle more power with some upgrades.

The biggest thing would be finding an 07+ one. But at the same time the only place I have been to is pull a part and the newest vehicle they have there in a GM is a 99'. So I will check around at the salvage yards and let you guys know

I would love to get a 6.2 but I just dont think they would have them around here for salvage, if they do I am sure someone has picked it or them all up

 

[CJ Hungus]

Don't Gen IV 5.3s come with LS6 heads from the factory, which I'd imagine flow better than LS1 heads, anyways? Also, wouldn't LS1 heads decrease the compression ratio?

That is correct. The "corvette heads" the guy is talking about are 243/799 castings. These heads came on all Gen IV 5.3s. So they should aready be on your 5.3.

What are your goals, how much is your budget, and what do you plan on doing with your truck?

N/A in a 5.3 your only going to get about 350~375ish.

Yes, trans cooler and stall. the 4l65E will be your wink link for sure. Call Chris at Circle D Specialities. He is very knowledable and will get the right stall for you.

IMO, Do the trunion upgrade for the rockers, get some LS7 lifters and Beehive springs.

I concur. Circle D makes some nice converters.

I have to agree with Scott on this. The 5.3 is a very capable motor, but if you're looking to stay naturally aspirated and make 400hp at the wheels I would start with a 6.0 or 6.2.

Can your goals be accomplished with a 5.3? Absolutely, but will the power be where you need it in a heavy ass truck. Probably not. What good is 400 hp if it's only available at 7000 rpm? If you're drag racing and have a properly matched combo to that 7000rpm great but I'm assuming this is not going to be a drag only truck and you need some torque to go with it.

6.0/6.2 is the way to go. Better heads and displacement right from the factory. Plus, depending on which one you get you are starting off with close to 400 crank hp.

What are you wanting to do with the truck?

I just want more all around power. More torque at the bottom end to get off the line and more ponies to keep going. I also want more torque to be able to haul trailers that "i cant haul because theyre too heavy" says me dad.

I would go with a smallish to medium size cam based off of what you want to do with the truck. Keep the power band down low for towing. I would look at a 2600 verter or something to match your cam.

 

[66nova]

I have to agree with Scott on this. The 5.3 is a very capable motor, but if you're looking to stay naturally aspirated and make 400hp at the wheels I would start with a 6.0 or 6.2.



Can your goals be accomplished with a 5.3? Absolutely, but will the power be where you need it in a heavy ass truck. Probably not. What good is 400 hp if it's only available at 7000 rpm? If you're drag racing and have a properly matched combo to that 7000rpm great but I'm assuming this is not going to be a drag only truck and you need some torque to go with it.



6.0/6.2 is the way to go. Better heads and displacement right from the factory. Plus, depending on which one you get you are starting off with close to 400 crank hp.



What are you wanting to do with the truck?

I just want more all around power. More torque at the bottom end to get off the line and more ponies to keep going. I also want more torque to be able to haul trailers that "i cant haul because theyre too heavy" says me dad.

Is your truck still a 4 speed or the 6 speed?

The 5.3 can certainly be made stronger. You would be amazed what can be had just from a custom tune. It will give you more than what many can imagine. I would start there. There is no reason to wait on it until you get other stuff, because just will retune it for free.

That being said. Your 5.3 really is not the limiting factor of you towing more. Gears, suspension, brakes and maybe transmission are more the problem than power. The 5.3 will pull more than the rest of the truck should handle. You may already know this, but I just hate to see people overloading a half ton when I have to be on the road with them.

 

[09chevyAV]

I have to agree with Scott on this. The 5.3 is a very capable motor, but if you're looking to stay naturally aspirated and make 400hp at the wheels I would start with a 6.0 or 6.2.



Can your goals be accomplished with a 5.3? Absolutely, but will the power be where you need it in a heavy ass truck. Probably not. What good is 400 hp if it's only available at 7000 rpm? If you're drag racing and have a properly matched combo to that 7000rpm great but I'm assuming this is not going to be a drag only truck and you need some torque to go with it.



6.0/6.2 is the way to go. Better heads and displacement right from the factory. Plus, depending on which one you get you are starting off with close to 400 crank hp.



What are you wanting to do with the truck?

I just want more all around power. More torque at the bottom end to get off the line and more ponies to keep going. I also want more torque to be able to haul trailers that "i cant haul because theyre too heavy" says me dad.

Is your truck still a 4 speed or the 6 speed?

The 5.3 can certainly be made stronger. You would be amazed what can be had just from a custom tune. It will give you more than what many can imagine. I would start there. There is no reason to wait on it until you get other stuff, because just will retune it for free.

That being said. Your 5.3 really is not the limiting factor of you towing more. Gears, suspension, brakes and maybe transmission are more the problem than power. The 5.3 will pull more than the rest of the truck should handle. You may already know this, but I just hate to see people overloading a half ton when I have to be on the road with them.

I have the 6 speed