lt1??

[c0ncEpT]

Last I heard, a friend of mine is putting down a little over 475 at the wheels in his stock aluminum block 5.3 Silverado w/ boost.

Not surprised. The stock shortblock LS record holder is an aluminum 5.3

[BP_Z28]

Just buy an LS1 Camaro and call it a day. Sheesh Stop talking about a swap Mike!

[JoeliusZ28]

5.3 and a cam is good enough for 330 at the wheels.

right... and a cammed LT1 is good enough for significantly more than that.

Ive read the 5.3s are great foundations for boost... i wont argue that one.

Mod for mod a 5.3 and an LT1 will be very close in performance. An aluminum 5.3 is lighter, has a better ignition system, better computer system, and can be found for just as cheap if not cheaper than most LT1's.

Some would call me an Lsx nut swinger but I really see no reason to use an LT1 anymore. That is unless it came factory in a car you already have.

I always forget about the aluminum 5.3s... that is a good point and might be enough to convince me.

There was pretty much never a reason to use LT1s. Before LS stuff took off half of the serious LT1 guys were converting to carb I think LT1s would have been a BIG performance platform if GM hadn't used it for their experimental ignition bastard child. That, by itself, ruined the potential of the whole thing. People (and vendors developing products) wouldn't have gotten so fed up with them. You would have seen head and cam packages designed for 7500 rpm where a small block wants to be. Instead there were a bunch of weak grinds that tried to keep power under the curve for the opti's sake, (except of course the GM847 for those with the attitude of 'f*** it!!' )

But... they are capable of making serious power if you know what you are doing ...And using the right LSx parts

[nascarnate326]

right... and a cammed LT1 is good enough for significantly more than that.

Ive read the 5.3s are great foundations for boost... i wont argue that one.

Do a LS1 intake swap and LS1 CAI and then your really talking.



Oh, and any craigslist add that says "Trust me".... lol

[sman]

I made 330 to the wheels with a bone stock long block, ls6 intake, and a BABY TR224 cam. Between the craptastic flow of the 862 heads and that tiny cam, I was leaving a lot on the table. But I kept up with the bolt on and small cam ls1 cars just fine (and got better mileage too!) I wouldnt in any way say it is a waste of time. Just about any ls1 or 6.0 is going to cost you a grand. 5.3's are commonly found in the 300 to 500 area. Your going to need a trans, PERIOD.

Switching to the 6.0 block, bumping compression, and moving to 799 heads didnt even net me 80hp. Now sliding the new EPS cam in, that will be another story

Have a cam speced for your build, will deff make the most of any combo. There are HUNDREDS of old school muscle cars floating around with 5.3's in them, why? Cheap, easy to build, easy to make great power with, extremely reliable and driveable! But if you have the extra cash to find an ls1 or 6.0 block, absolutely! Go for it, theres no replacement for displacement! Certainly not going to hurt you any (other than cost).

[hoogiesngrinderz]

330 at the wheels is with a z06 cam & LS1 intake Should have noted that.

[SS4Matt]

dang, I have an iron 5.3, what was I thinking

[JoeliusZ28]

330 at the wheels is with a z06 cam & LS1 intake Should have noted that.

auto I hope?

dang, I have an iron 5.3, what was I thinking

Sorry Im an auto-cross and road race ricer ... Im more frantic about weight than horsepower

[SS4Matt]

auto I hope?


Sorry Im an auto-cross and road race ricer ... Im more frantic about weight than horsepower

Yea I can respect that, I grew up with road racing. And still attend some of it here and there when my buddy gets his Vette out (I have been to just about every track from watkins glen to Road Atlanta and everything inbetween!). I just found my own personal preference is a quick blast down the 1320

[hoogiesngrinderz]

Wasn't my car. I talked to the guy a long time ago who tuned one, I think he said it was an M6 though.

I have about $600 total into my 5.3 w/ 44k on it. That includes z06 cam, LS2 valve springs, injectors, LS1 intake/fuel rail/TB, 5 wire MAF, truck harness & PCM, 4l60e with a sticky 2-3 shift solenoid, and SBC conversion mounts, and idler relocation bracket. I do not have headers yet, not 100% sure what I will need to fit the 60 Impala.

[hoogiesngrinderz]

And yes, the iron block is about 80-90 lbs more from what I've heard.

[JoeliusZ28]

Wasn't my car. I talked to the guy a long time ago who tuned one, I think he said it was an M6 though.

I have about $600 total into my 5.3 w/ 44k on it. That includes z06 cam, LS2 valve springs, injectors, LS1 intake/fuel rail/TB, 5 wire MAF, truck harness & PCM, 4l60e with a sticky 2-3 shift solenoid, and SBC conversion mounts, and idler relocation bracket. I do not have headers yet, not 100% sure what I will need to fit the 60 Impala.

Ok I'd better just shut my pie-hole because I'll probably end up doing the same thing with a 59 impala

[hoogiesngrinderz]

Ok I'd better just shut my pie-hole because I'll probably end up doing the same thing with a 59 impala

haha, anything is better than the straight 6 in there now!

[meissen]

right... and a cammed LT1 is good enough for significantly more than that.

eh? My hunk o' junk cammed LT1 hasn't hit 330. What's your definition of "significantly"?

[JoeliusZ28]

eh? My hunk o' junk cammed LT1 hasn't hit 330. What's your definition of "significantly"?

You have an auto, so if you had an M6 your numbers would be higher as well.

My car made 370 and could have made potentially made more since it was on the rev limiter. I have seen several instances of GM847 cam only cars making 370-380, not that thats a practical cam to choose though.