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Thread: Couple Grand for 5.3 mods...What to do?

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    14
    As in my signature, what would you all think I should do for upcoming mods?
    Header, Cam, Stage 2 Heads?

    Thanks for your input, everyone!
    '99 5.3 X-Cab (Looking for BLACK straightbed to trade for my sportside)
    Performance: Nelson Dyno Tune, K&N FIPK, Hooker Aerochamber True-Dual, MSD Wires.

    Work in Progress: 6.0L, 4L80E w/Transgo & Yank 2600HD, Comp Cam 218/220 or something with 560 lift & LSA 115, Valvetrain Kit (rods, springs, retainers), TOG Headers, B&M Supercooler, 160 Stat, 42lb Injectors, Eaton Posi w/3.73s, LS1 Fans, 150 Dry Shot NOS-5176 w/NGK TR6-IX Plugs, NELSON RE-TUNE!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Posts
    184
    cough...radix...cough

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    14
    I wish! I said a couple grand....not $6,000!
    '99 5.3 X-Cab (Looking for BLACK straightbed to trade for my sportside)
    Performance: Nelson Dyno Tune, K&N FIPK, Hooker Aerochamber True-Dual, MSD Wires.

    Work in Progress: 6.0L, 4L80E w/Transgo & Yank 2600HD, Comp Cam 218/220 or something with 560 lift & LSA 115, Valvetrain Kit (rods, springs, retainers), TOG Headers, B&M Supercooler, 160 Stat, 42lb Injectors, Eaton Posi w/3.73s, LS1 Fans, 150 Dry Shot NOS-5176 w/NGK TR6-IX Plugs, NELSON RE-TUNE!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    San Antonio, TX
    Posts
    11,038
    Hey, you know what I already said, LOL.

    Couple of grand, 6L time or LS1

    We'll see what the other guys say.


    see ya,

    allen

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Denton Texas
    Posts
    20,540
    How about a set of AirResearch heads and a quality set of tubular headers. With gaskets and all that should eat up all of the $2000.
    See my truck data in the "My Garage" section here... http://www.ls1truck.com/forums/my-ga...tml#post191709

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    6
    I'd probably do cam, headers, pulley, and stall. I've got a 6.0 shortblock out of an 02 Escalde that has spun some bearings. My buddie just gave it to me. Haven't got the pan off yet, but if I had $2000, I would go through the 6.0, pull the 5.3, and slap it in.

    Bruce
    Pewter 2001 Z/28,M6,
    1.57 60',11.15 1/4 @ 124.68
    TEA stage 2 4.8, TR 230/224
    03 GMC Sierra RCSB,2wd,5.3 w/3.73
    14.68 @ 91 mph

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Posts
    14
    Hardtop, that's what I like to hear...lol!
    Can 6.0 swap be done for $2000?
    Cant I use most of my existing motor accessories?
    '99 5.3 X-Cab (Looking for BLACK straightbed to trade for my sportside)
    Performance: Nelson Dyno Tune, K&N FIPK, Hooker Aerochamber True-Dual, MSD Wires.

    Work in Progress: 6.0L, 4L80E w/Transgo & Yank 2600HD, Comp Cam 218/220 or something with 560 lift & LSA 115, Valvetrain Kit (rods, springs, retainers), TOG Headers, B&M Supercooler, 160 Stat, 42lb Injectors, Eaton Posi w/3.73s, LS1 Fans, 150 Dry Shot NOS-5176 w/NGK TR6-IX Plugs, NELSON RE-TUNE!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Posts
    6
    Originally posted by bmbutler@Mar 13 2004, 07:06 AM
    Hardtop, that's what I like to hear...lol!
    Can 6.0 swap be done for $2000?
    Cant I use most of my existing motor accessories?
    Not sure if you could swap a 6.0 for $2000. Depends on what you could get the 6.0 for, and if it needs anything. I got my short block for free, and have the stock heads off my Z/28. Cylinder walls look good, but the crank will probably have to be turned, and the block align honed. I think the 5.3 would run darn good with a cam, and all the bolt ons. I'm keeping my 6.0 for a future project.


    Bruce
    Pewter 2001 Z/28,M6,
    1.57 60',11.15 1/4 @ 124.68
    TEA stage 2 4.8, TR 230/224
    03 GMC Sierra RCSB,2wd,5.3 w/3.73
    14.68 @ 91 mph

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Denton Texas
    Posts
    20,540
    I wish I could do a LS1 type conversion for $2000. I would go into business doing them all day long but then again before long the LS1 conversion will be old news and everyone will want the HEMI or the LS2 conversion or the new LS2 that shuts down to 4 cylinders for fuel conservation and run the throttle body electronically instead of by cable.

    I believe I am somewhere above $3000 on my conversion and I started out with a rebuildable engine. Gaskets sets are really expensive when you rebuild one of these engines. I bought mine through Scoggins-Dickey since they had a package deal instead of having to buy them one gasket at a time. They also supplied bearings for the cam and reground crank. Got new GM piston rings off Ebay for $100, good deal there. Basic long block with intake, injectors, fuel rail and water pump set me back $1000. Wiring harness $175. Got the PCM for $58 but having it customized by Allen is adding to the total. Being burned by Dynatech Motorsports to customize my harness screwed my total up another $360 for nothing. Since LS1 type cracked rods are not rebuildable I had to purchase a couple more but got a set of some good used ones off ebay for $90.

    As you can see I have not gone hog-wild on this project and the total is getting up there. It helps to hear it run now and again just to let me know it's worth the trouble I've been through, even though at this time the VATS only lets me run it a second at a time.
    See my truck data in the "My Garage" section here... http://www.ls1truck.com/forums/my-ga...tml#post191709

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    San Marcos Texas
    Posts
    4,393
    Get Allen to remove the VATS and do some tuning. It will be money well spent.
    2006 Superior Blue Trailblazer SS AWD, Stock as a rock

    Sold: 2002 GMC Sportside Denali front end with a 2002 LS1, FLT level 5, Yank 2600, Trick Turbo, T76, Nelson intercooler, 60LB injectors, Warbro fuel pump, Eaton locker, Magnaflow, 3.42, Nelson Performance Tuning (speed density).

    Sold: 1981 GMC LB RC 1500 2002 4.8L 4L60E 12 bolt 3.73 Richmond Lock Right AC PS Nelson Performance tuning

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