07 and newer 5.3L what crank and cams?

[tgvettes]

What cranks and cams can I use in the latest style 5.3L Iron blocks? Are they compatible with older style LS engines or have they gone thru similar changes like the LS3?

I was wondering because I want to use the 2nd design LS6 cam (used from 2002-2004)

Tonny

[deuce_454]

www.ls1tech.com log in and use the search function... you can also get some help in the cam selectin there... (again search before asking or they will flame you) but specific questions do get some good answers

just wondering why you wanted to use the ls6 cam? if its only price i get it.. but if you can afford an aftermarket cam, you are not doing yourself a favour selecting somthing GM engineered for a larger displacement engine with mileage and emissions in mind...

just be sure to post specifics, like budget, use of engine, horsepower -torque and torquerange goals, what intake, heads, headers, supporting mods.. are you willing to do forced induction etc etc...
for an el-cheapo build send out your 5.3 heads for cnc porting, get a custom cam ground and leave the bottom end.. you should have no issues hitting 450-500 crank horsepower with a mild cam... give mike norris a call (number to your left in vendors) or if you are a cheapskate try TSP or Patriot.. just remember you get what you pay for....

[70rs]

Chevy High Performance did a build on one not too long ago and with a set of aftermarket heads and a carb got really close to 500hp. Check the web site for details, sorry I don't recall which issue it was. Cam specs, pistons, heads ......great build on a budget.

[tgvettes]

My goal is to build a 375-400 horse engine and use as much GM parts as possible. I would think the LS6 2nd Gen Cam would be perfect for what I'm looking for so I don't see any reason to go aftermarket on the cam.
it is going into my 63 Nova Conv so a fairly light car. going to put a 4L60E or 4L65E behind. 3.73 in the rearend

[deuce_454]

well the ls6 cam isnt perfect. infact its barely enough for 400 hp in a larger displacement engine...

but your plan is sound though.. the rear end gearing is the first thing in getting an ls engined car moving, second is converter, then cam and heads... a "cam only" 5.3 will easily do 450 hp and a 224 deg cam.. (and there are plenty "small" cams on ebay as people upgrade)

the mild ramps of the ls6 cam along with the mild lift, wide LS and the oem duration figures makes it a great emissions cam for a showroom car.. but with a relatively steep rear end gearing, and a light car, its far from ideal...

Honestly i wouldnt spend the money to go from a stock to ls6 cam...if you do you will for sure need springs so you would be looking at minimum $600 in parts for about 15whp.....204/219 .551/.548 117.5....is the specs on the ls6...if you went to like a 220/220 555.555 114...you would still have a very mild cam but would notice close to 50% more of an increase over the ls6 cam....it will sound a lot like stock, and drivability shouldnt really be an issue....just call a cam company and tell them your goals and they will set you up.....

my 3 cents...

ps.. im not knocking you.. its just that ive found it to be cheaper to do things right first time out

[Mkelcy]

What cranks and cams can I use in the latest style 5.3L Iron blocks? Are they compatible with older style LS engines or have they gone thru similar changes like the LS3?

I was wondering because I want to use the 2nd design LS6 cam (used from 2002-2004)

Tonny

According to the GMPP catalog, any of the 3.62 stroke cranks will bolt into any of the LSx blocks. That said, there's no reason to change the bottom end for the power level you're looking at. The LS6 cam might get you to 375hp, but the 5.3 heads don't flow nearly as well as the LS6 heads and you're giving up a little displacement as compared to the 405hp LS6.

If you have the 5.3 heads worked you can easily get there, or you might try something like the GM Hot Cam, less lift but more duration than the LS6 cam you're looking at, and you're not going gain much with the 0.550 lift of the LS6 cam (as compared to the 0.525" lift of the Hot Cam) because the 5.3 heads only gain 3 cfm going from 0.500" to 0.550".

[tgvettes]

the crank issue I have is if the newer block 5.3L use a different crank. I believe the old one has a 24 tooth reluctor gear. I think the LS2 and LS3 has more tooth on the reluctor gear then the older LS motors and I don't have a crank that is why I'm asking. I know there is absolutely no need for anything but a stock crank for what I'm looking in output.

Of course the heads are going to be ported. headers and most likely also a LS6 intake.


Tonny

[Mkelcy]

All of the 3.62" stroke cranks will work in all of the LSx blocks. You need to match the number of teeth on the reluctor (24 or 58) to your computer, if you're using one. The reluctors can also be changed.

[tgvettes]

as I'm starting from Scratch (don't have any computer etc.) is there any benefit to have one or the other? 24 or 58 gear reluctor?

[Mkelcy]

as I'm starting from Scratch (don't have any computer etc.) is there any benefit to have one or the other? 24 or 58 gear reluctor?

I don't know. Now I'll refer you to LS1tech.com.

[WSSix]

both ECMs are great with the newest ones being better. The older ones will be cheaper and easier to deal with though.

[deuce_454]

as I'm starting from Scratch (don't have any computer etc.) is there any benefit to have one or the other? 24 or 58 gear reluctor?

if you dont have sensors, wiring harness, crank and such you propably want to considder your budget and options carefully.. you might very well find that either a crate motor or a carbed setup is the way to go... there are some cheap engine combos (6.0 bottom end with l92 heads, carb and cam) that will make upwards of 600 hp at relatively small money...

the 6.0 has a 4 inch bore that will allow you to take advantage of the awesome flow in the l92 (ls3 style) heads... and a heads and cam package with cnc ported l92 heads, springs, valvejob, pushrods AND a custom cam that works with stock pistons will run you 1800 bucks and put you at 600 Hp easy...

a sock l92 intake is prety cheap and the 6.0 comes with all sensores, wires, computer etc etc if you get the right salvage engine....

or you can install a vic.jr intake with a carb and not have to dink arround with all the efi stuff...

[tgvettes]

well the 5.3/4L60E is for my 63 Nova Convertible that is going to be a cruizer PT style 350-400 horse and is more then enough for it and I wanted to use the 5.3 so I can say I have a 327 in it LOL. My 68 Camaro is definetely getting much bigger motor with L92 heads, that car I'm looking at 550+ horse. Even starting from scratch building a 5.3 is much much cheaper then building a 6.2 or bigger motor. The 5.3 will be built with all factory parts (I got good contacts on getting a lot of the parts cheap also) The 5.3 will easily cost me less then half of what the 6.2 for the Camaro will cost. (I'm talking basic motors here)
obviously computer, harness etc are pretty much the same price for any LS motor no matter what you run so I totally see where your coming from there.

Tonny

[70rs]

Have you thought about picking up a drop out motor from one of the bigger wrecking yards on line? For about 1300 bucks or less you can get a complete low mile 5.3 iron block motor with the entire EFI system, computer and harness, front drive set up and all acces. Just a thought. Then do what you want with the heads and intake and cam.
I think one of the stock(close to 300hp) motors with an upgraded intake (that also fits under your hood) with a set of headers is going to be plenty of power to get your nova hauling ass in a hurry. If you look you can also get one with a transmission and it's controller for not much more. This would sure beat building from scratch and take a lot of the guess work out with the different computers, sensors, reluctor,.....you get what I am saying.:cheers:
You could have the motor, trans, computers, fuel system, all mounted and running in the car for under 3k.

EDIT: Another reason for this is that you can have a 300hp motor all done cheap and never have to open the block. Mine is going on 175k in my truck with out ANY troubles. And 160 k of that was on the original spark plugs too. I am also running the original untouched transmission. Mine is a 2000 model 4x4 Silverado. So, why not? Bullet proof drivetrain for dirt cheap.

[deuce_454]

Have you thought about picking up a drop out motor from one of the bigger wrecking yards on line? For about 1300 bucks or less you can get a complete low mile 5.3 iron block motor with the entire EFI system, computer and harness, front drive set up and all acces. Just a thought. Then do what you want with the heads and intake and cam.
I think one of the stock(close to 300hp) motors with an upgraded intake (that also fits under your hood) with a set of headers is going to be plenty of power to get your nova hauling ass in a hurry. If you look you can also get one with a transmission and it's controller for not much more. This would sure beat building from scratch and take a lot of the guess work out with the different computers, sensors, reluctor,.....you get what I am saying.:cheers:
You could have the motor, trans, computers, fuel system, all mounted and running in the car for under 3k.

what he said!