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Ls1 or 5.3 turbo swap

6K views 40 replies 7 participants last post by  HackMcMASTER 
#1 ·
hey guys I'm new to the v8 game. I have a 2006 Silverado short bed single cab with a 4.3 v6 vortec motor. I'm looking to swap it out with a v8 but not sure which one.(5.3, 6.0, or ls1). I wanna fully build the motor from scratch, cams, spring, retainers, pistons, rods, for boost but not sure which one would be better to build? Also when I swap it out since I got the v6 do I have to change the motor mounts? Im really looking forward into this build but not sure which motor to choose from, I'm trying to get 800hp to 1000hp to the wheels. Any advice would help. I know I need the ecm, computer, etc, do I need the pedal or would mine would be fine? I have built a motor before but it was a 4 cylinder Honda motor (close to 500hp on 21pounds of boost), but never messed around with v8s. Looking to get into the dark side lol. THANKS IN ADVANCE GUYS !
 
#2 ·
do u mean ls1 as the 5.7 all aluminum from say a gto? At 1000 hp that block will be texas toast. If your going for boost and high hp go with iron block motor ie 5.3-6.0 from truck.
 
#4 ·
the 6.0 has a 4" bore not much you can get outa that block. There is a guy on you tube making 1000 hp on stock bottom end 6.0. Sloppy mechanics. check him out. Im not sure how much you can bore a 5.3 but I have seen them do around 800 hp stock before puking there guts out the side of the block. If you do good internals to handle hp you should be fine trying for massive power.
 
#5 ·
My plan was to take out the 5.7 in my gto and build a 5.3 I have into a turbo beast. Someday lol
 
#7 ·


Sent from Uranus
 
#11 ·
Honestly if you want a beater that might or might not last then no. If you want bulletproof yes and spare no expense.
 
#13 ·
for 1000hp the stock crank is usually ok and you really only need to change the piston and rods as they tend to max out around 700-800hp reliably. i probably wouldn't do a ls1 size engine as that starts to get to a smaller cylinder wall.

the way i would go would be to get a 6L and have it all cleaned up, replace the pistons and rods, add some ls9 head gaskets and head studs. after that get ether a custom spec cam made or a BTR turbo stage 2 cam and spend the rest on a nice set of heads that would make the compression around 10:1.
 
#14 ·
stock bottom end L33 5.3, big cam, worked over factory heads, 30psi :read:

I just sold my spare L33 to a guy running that setup in his foxbody

 
#16 ·
Just call Nelson at that point.

Sent from Uranus
 
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#18 ·
#20 ·
I wouldn't do it strictly because you will be selling a lung,testicle,and kidney to fund the fucking thing

Sent from Uranus
 
#22 ·
Just get a 6.0 junker and call it a day. If you put a skylight in the block just get another. The only thing is the 6.0 is a lot more cash at a yard. A 5.3 with harness at least around here goes for about 300 bucks.

Sent from Uranus
 
#27 ·
If your willing to lay down that cash I would personally go with the 6.0 block
 
#28 ·
 
#31 ·
Yeah id say your more then good.
 
#36 ·
imo for me i would be looking at LME as they are only 8 miles from me. they did help me when i was replacing my heads and were really nice people to deal with.
 
#38 ·
6.0s are fucking expensive anymore, I'd run a junkyard 5.3 and boost the fuck out of it

seems like everyone that spends 10k on a built motor ends up popping it and scrapping the project eventually, whereas the guys that run $500 junkyard motors are the ones having fun
 
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