Help with 5.3 Engine build in rock crawler

[kerrige]

A stall around 2600 and a cam calling the lines of 216/230 would go great. Upping the compression to around 10.5:1 is a great idea. Mill the heads anduse 4.8L flattops. I wwouldn't expect 400hp out of a 5.3 however big off throttle torque is totally what you want and can get. If you plan on staying NA then a walbro 255 should be fine with 42lbs injectors and your good to go. Even with E85 I would imagine 42s and a 255 would be fine or maybe a 340 to be safe.

[EmmerichLSx]

Call Texas Speed they got my buddy set up for his ls1 in his crawler.

[Slow04xcab]

212/218 low lift cam had great low end in my 5.3. Ran it for a bit with stock stall. I wouldn't go much over 220 duration cam choice with lsa of 112-114.

[Bodie]

I appreciate the info guys.

So it would be a stretch to get 400hp out of a 5.3 with just a cam and bump CR? I thought you could get 100hp with just a cam swap?

I assume the stock injectors are 42lb?

[Bodie]

repost...

[Slow04xcab]

Stock wouldn't be 42lbs...400hp at crank yes not that hard. 100 from a cam swap only would be a stretch. Haven't ever seen it happen. With more aggressive cam you could get more hp but would loose too much low end for your plan. Plus have to run a nice size stall to take advantage of the power band.

[Bodie]

Gotcha, thanks!

So what about a TSP 220 .581 112lsa? Or could I go bigger? Id like to stay at or under a 2800 stall.

[Bodie]

Would anyone how much I should take off the heads?

[kerrige]

It needs to be kept in mind certain conditions. Are you talking about crank power goals or to the wheels? How tall are your tires and gears? If you are going 2800 stall then a 220/224 would be a good choice for something a tiny bit bigger. Anything larger than 224 is going to move the powerband up too high for your desires. Keep the LSA low around 112. A split duration cam will open up your power a bit wider so it comes in sooner and ends higher. I would take about .030 off the heads for a nice bump in power. 400 to the crank is possible. 350 to the wheels can be done.