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Thread: 5.3L build up

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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Posts
    57
    Ok. Found a killer deal on a 5.3L and decided to take it. I want to build this into a bad ass little engine. I'm talking 12's all motor if possible. It has to be 100% streetable. It's my daily driver. I was thinking AFR 205 Stage 2 heads with maybe a .560-.580 lift cam with duration somewhere in the 220's on a 114 LSA. I want this thing to lope, but not to the point to where it would die. I was also thinking long tube headers, possibly an x-pipe or h-pipe (I'll run true duals no matter what), hi flow cats (must pass emissions here in college station, texas), either flowmaster or dynomax (I want a half way sleeper, nothing ungodly loud). What about the new FAST intake and 90mm throttle body that just came out for the LS1's. Think it would be worth it? I might do either a TT or blower setup later on down the road (don't want to deal with the hassle of mounting a nitrous bottle in a reg cab truck).

    As for the tranny and drive train, I was thinking a 2500-2800 stall converter and a new VB for now and going with a fully built auto later on down the road. I was also looking at a set of 3.73's with posi. I won't be running sticky tires (be running 33" all terrains and will only do drag radials for the strip). I will eventually upgrade to a 12 bolt or something similar.

    So what do yall think? This will all be tuned by MTI. I've got all the parts neccesary for the switch (all the computers, gauge clusters, wiring harnesses, I mean EVERYTHING). Only thing I don't have will be the 5.3L tranny and fuel pump (I plan on upgrading the fuel pump as well to like a 225LPH or something). My stock tranny should work, right? Thanks for the help yall.

    Tyler
    2000 GMC 4.3L 2wd Auto Reg Stepside

    Performance: Volant Cold Air, Flowmaster Duals, Powerraid Throttle Body Spacer, Derale 18" Electric Fan, 180* T-stat, Underdrive pulley coming soon

    Exterior: 3" Body Lift, 31" tires

    Interior: Full painted interior (and I mean EVERYTHING except the cloth)

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Location
    San Marcos Texas
    Posts
    4,393
    Sounds like a great idea. The only all motor 12's truck I've seen had a 5.7L LS1, but it still could be done I'm sure. I know it could with a poweradder. You will probally want to build your tranny up a bit or you will kill it. Try a bigger stall like 3000+. Good luck and keep us up to date!
    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

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Posts
    57
    Ya. The more I think about it, the more I want at least a 3000 stall. I'm thinking I might upgrade the cam to a bigger one. I'm also thinking a relatively high compression. Like 9.5:1 or higher. It won't be great for boost, but I figure that if the LS1's can run a blower with 10:1+, I can run one with 9.5 or so. Plus, with the higher compression, it oughta help the around town driveability out some (not to mention the sound of a high compression engine).
    2000 GMC 4.3L 2wd Auto Reg Stepside

    Performance: Volant Cold Air, Flowmaster Duals, Powerraid Throttle Body Spacer, Derale 18" Electric Fan, 180* T-stat, Underdrive pulley coming soon

    Exterior: 3" Body Lift, 31" tires

    Interior: Full painted interior (and I mean EVERYTHING except the cloth)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2003
    Posts
    147
    5.3's are 9.5:1 stock. F-body guys are running as high as 11:1 on pump gas.
    Arrival Blue 2003 Chevy Silverado RCSB (stepside) w/ 5.3 and an exhaust leak.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2003
    Posts
    57
    Reason I asked compression was because I plan on doing forged pistons. I won't go over 10:1.
    2000 GMC 4.3L 2wd Auto Reg Stepside

    Performance: Volant Cold Air, Flowmaster Duals, Powerraid Throttle Body Spacer, Derale 18" Electric Fan, 180* T-stat, Underdrive pulley coming soon

    Exterior: 3" Body Lift, 31" tires

    Interior: Full painted interior (and I mean EVERYTHING except the cloth)

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