Smans 5.3 build up!

[TrickyTransAm]

Now that you've done that, squirt about 2-3 tablespoons of oil into the cylinder and do it again.

Does it slow down the leakdown?
If so, it's your rings.

If not, it may be in the head.

If it is in the ring area, I would check the cylinders to make sure they aren't egg shaped. You may have a trashed block if water was creeping in.
I call it the 3800 disease.

[sman]

You hear air rushing past coming out of the oil fill cap and dipstick tube, which means its going by the rings, no noise heard from exhaust or intake. Didnt try putting some oil in there, already left the shop for the night.

Sounds to me like the rings are gone, if thats the case, no worries on the block, were going bigger.

[TrickyTransAm]

Sounds to me like the rings are gone, if thats the case, no worries on the block, were going bigger.

Get youself a good used LQ9. Something that has low miles with a guarantee. That way you have a good foundation to start from.

[DETROITMUSCLE]

Get youself a good used LQ9. Something that has low miles with a guarantee. That way you have a good foundation to start from.

Bigger it is, sorry to hear Spencer but I'm sure you'll be happy when it's done

[sman]

My dads friend supposedly has a BRAND NEW lq4 in a crate from GM, he was supposedly going to put in his ram, but ran out of time or money. Wants a 1000 bucks for it. Going to have a chat with him tomorrow.

[shawnc16]

That really sucks! Did you take the readings cold or warm?

[ThreeHonks]

hmmm pretty sure I told ya the rings were gone a looooong time back....

[ThreeHonks]

That really sucks! Did you take the readings cold or warm?

woudnt matter. Its fubar either way.

[98blackbeauty]

Sorry to hear after, all the work you have done on that engine/swap.

[meissen]

Like my dad said, sorry to hear Spencer. Sounds like you're taking it in stride, though.

[98blackbeauty]

Next step would be pull engine and tear it down, take block asm with rotating asembly and pistons to machine shop. he can mic it out to see if it can be bored out fit new pistons and rings. if you do that I would def do new rod and main bearings while your at it.

[sman]

I probably wont rebuild this one, if I did, I would have them punch it out to a 5.7, or 6.0 if possible, but at that point, cost has got to be getting up there....

I will most likely just grab a 6.0 and go from there.

[ThreeHonks]

I probably wont rebuild this one, if I did, I would have them punch it out to a 5.7, or 6.0 if possible, but at that point, cost has got to be getting up there....

I will most likely just grab a 6.0 and go from there.

It might be a blessing in disguise being able to be forced to go from a 5.3 to a LQ series.

[TrickyTransAm]

I probably wont rebuild this one, if I did, I would have them punch it out to a 5.7, or 6.0 if possible, but at that point, cost has got to be getting up there....

I will most likely just grab a 6.0 and go from there.

Exactly.
By the time you get done with machinework, you could have bought either a used LQ9 or LQ4. The 5.3L is a good little motor, but for what your doing, I think it wouldn't be worth the cost.
You could bore it to a 5.7, but not 6.0 unless you do some tricky stuff to the block and rotating assembly. $$$$$$$$$$
My 5.3L on the stand is in the same dilema. Only reason I'd rebuild it would be because I know it's history, and I know exactly whats wrong with it.

It's up to you, but my recommendation is get a LQ9, and pop it in. Don't touch it.

Save up some coin for later mods such as heads etc. The 224 cam you had in the 5.3 will work perfect in the 6.0L, so lube it up well, and leave it in the box for now.
Some may say a LQ4 is cheaper and the same performance with a head swap, but it's not drop in performance. You'll have to fiddle with it. (i.e. spend more money)
You get the LQ9 block, and other performance goodies that were intended to go with it. (The 317 heads from what I have read are excellent for forced induction applications)

My LQ9 hauls butt to holy hell even with it not running right. 346hp factory performance with torque to match. That motor in a light car would be a lot of fun for low dollar money.
Dad's buddies LQ4 - $1000 plus LS2 heads from GM, new $800. So, $1800 plus gaskets & bolts.
Explore your options before you jump.

[sman]

Oh, id love to put a lq9 in it. Just having trouble finding one. If I could get one in the 1000 dollar range id do it no problem.