Tell me about the 5.3 for a 68 Camaro.

[Rileys68Camaro]

I'm researching this pretty hard as I really want a FI engine, but can't do an LSx, and I want something newer and better than an LT1. I have a GMPP 300hp crate but I need a carb and all the fuel system and such, minus tank.

If I can get a good pull out with transmission and wiring I think I'll be money ahead. However, I don't see much about the 5.3 as it's usually a truck engine and not a high power one at that, compared to an LS.

[Bsinclair]

gm performance part number 19165628 is rated at 327hp and 347ft lbs and can be purchased brand new for around $3300. this is a cast iron block.

finding a pull out shouldn't be that hard as there is a ton of them out there. be careful as the blocks are stamped 4.8/5.3 so make sure you can verify its a 5.3

[Rileys68Camaro]

I've looked at those, and for the price of the engine, I can have my SBC all set up with a new transmission ready to go.

So, I need to be about $1500-1800 complete with transmission to make the switch at this point.

[mustangracer11]

You should be able to find a used 5.3 cheap. My buddy bought one with 60k miles for $350. You can put some 243 heads on a good cam and intake and it will make decent power.

[Rileys68Camaro]

$350 complete? Good deal anyway.

Where I'm at now, is I have a brand new GMPP 300hp 350, but it's been sitting for 10 years in the car. Only ran for a few minutes. However, I need all the brackets and such to mount the A/C and P/S especially as well as a new carb and a transmission.

So, a good take out 5.3 and transmission seems like a better deal at this point, depending of how much work it would take to get the front drive stuff to fit and wire it in. I have a flat hood and stock sub-frame set up with a custom cross member for a 700R4 or 4l60 transmission.

[mustangracer11]

It was complete minus the drive accorries I'm sure it will cost more to do the 5.3 swap than it would to just buy a fuel injection set up for what you already have.

[67Rally]

Some of the 5.3's already come with the 799 heads. 799 heads are the same as 243 heads, just made in a different plant.

If you get the 799/243's I'd do a valve job, healthy cam, swap an LS6 intake on there and get a good tune. You'd have a fun little motor.

I did a 6.0l LQ9 in my '67 and it's crazy fun. 458rwhp and no carb to fiddle with!

[gnx7]

If you find an L33 engine that is an alum 5.3 block; however they have DOD/VVT. If you convert it back over to a standard style cam you need the following: front LS2/LS3 cover and valley cover, LS7 lifters, new cam, new pushrods, new timing set which will put you way over budget. The 85lb weight saving is nice though. The heads don't matter a ton once you swap in a cam. Maybe 10-20hp difference in head castings. You can also mill the heads to gain more compression and get some free power.

I paid $650 for an L33 shortblock.... then added ported 5.3 heads, LS9 gaskets, ARP head studs, ARP rod bolts, LS6 intake, ported TB, 120# injectors, used cam, LS7 lifters, front cover, valley cover, timing set and I was into it for over $3000 doing all the work myself.

The only way you are going to do it for $1500-1800 on the engine and trans is to buy a complete totalled vehicle and part it out making some money back or you better have one hell of a hookup. You will be hard pressed to do it otherwise. The fuel system alone doing it cheaply (weld in a sump, the lines, pump, regulator/fittings) will be a few hundred easily. Then you need a tune as well and redo/relabel the wiring harness. A 5.3 without at least a cam upgrade is going to be a dog. That would require head gaskets and some new bolts and most likely deck the heads for a fresh mating surface. Just trying to be realistic.

[gray776]

5.3 Complete $500
Used cam LS1tech.com $200
Springs/PR $300
LS1 intake/TB/injectors $200
Fbody Pan $200
Harness and Comp $500
Walbro pump $100
Corvette Reg $50
Fuel lines/fittings $100

Total: $2150 give or take a few hundred.

You can bolt this to whatever tranny you currently have and that would get you 350hp all day long, and will run SO much stronger than your 300hp crate as well as prolly get 18-20mpgs. Just ask anyone who has swapped a LS engine. A 350hp LS is a large difference over even a 350hp SBC.

[Che70velle]

If you find an L33 engine that is an alum 5.3 block; however they have DOD/VVT. If you convert it back over to a standard style cam you need the following: front LS2/LS3 cover and valley cover, LS7 lifters, new cam, new pushrods, new timing set which will put you way over budget. The 85lb weight saving is nice though. The heads don't matter a ton once you swap in a cam. Maybe 10-20hp difference in head castings. You can also mill the heads to gain more compression and get some free power.

I paid $650 for an L33 shortblock.... then added ported 5.3 heads, LS9 gaskets, ARP head studs, ARP rod bolts, LS6 intake, ported TB, 120# injectors, used cam, LS7 lifters, front cover, valley cover, timing set and I was into it for over $3000 doing all the work myself.

The only way you are going to do it for $1500-1800 on the engine and trans is to buy a complete totalled vehicle and part it out making some money back or you better have one hell of a hookup. You will be hard pressed to do it otherwise. The fuel system alone doing it cheaply (weld in a sump, the lines, pump, regulator/fittings) will be a few hundred easily. Then you need a tune as well and redo/relabel the wiring harness. A 5.3 without at least a cam upgrade is going to be a dog. That would require head gaskets and some new bolts and most likely deck the heads for a fresh mating surface. Just trying to be realistic.


The L33 is a great engine, however it does not have VVT, or DOD. It is a mirror image of the LM7, with the exception of flat top pistons for a compression bump, and a unique to the L33 camshaft that gave the L33 the name 5.3 H.O. Obviously, they are an all aluminum engine, vs. the LM7 being iron block, with aluminum heads.
The heads on the L33 are excellent, and are basically 243 castings with different valves.
Available only in extended cab 4WD trucks in 2005-2006, these guys were a gen3 engine, and are getting harder to find.
I swapped one last year into a suburban, and really picked up the vehicles power and mileage.

[hifi875]

ive got a 5.3 in my 69. z06 243 heads milled .030 thinner headgaskets , custom compcams camshaft with holley terminator efi. not a torque monster but its ran 13.20 at 109 with terrible 2.0 60ft. with a stall or t56 it could run high 12s easy. they are good little motors that you can wind the pi$$ out of.

[67Rally]

ive got a 5.3 in my 69. z06 243 heads milled .030 thinner headgaskets , custom compcams camshaft with holley terminator efi. not a torque monster but its ran 13.20 at 109 with terrible 2.0 60ft. with a stall or t56 it could run high 12s easy. they are good little motors that you can wind the pi$$ out of.

How do you like that dual plane Edelbrock? I have the single plane Vic Jr with an accufab 4150 TB on it and it loves to wind up!

[WSSix]

I did a 5.3 iron block motor with mildly ported LS6 heads, LS6 intake, headers, ported TB, and a small cam. Sounded good, idled nicely, and made 350/350 at the wheels through a tremec 5 speed. Torque curve was ridiculously flat and pulled to 6200. Car/engine had a lot spunk and was fun. Started as a complete pull out minus trans for like $600. Swapped/sold parts around with other platforms in order to get the correct oil pan, intake, and brackets etc. Modified the harness myself. Total outlay was around 2000 as I had the trans already.

In short, they are a good motor to choose capable of great power and enjoyment. A little more gets you a 6.0 though and a whole lot more power. Just have to decide how best to balance your goals and bank account.

[67Rally]

I did a 5.3 iron block motor...Started as a complete pull out minus trans for like $600.

In short, they are a good motor to choose capable of great power and enjoyment. A little more gets you a 6.0 though and a whole lot more power. Just have to decide how best to balance your goals and bank account.

Unless the prices have come down on the 6.0's in the past few months, complete LQ4's were going for $1600-2000 and LQ9's were around $1800-2200 when I bought mine.

A 5.3 for $600 sounds like a good bargain. But if you want to make bigger power, then yes, a 6.0 is the way to go. It all comes down to budget.

[hifi875]

How do you like that dual plane Edelbrock? I have the single plane Vic Jr with an accufab 4150 TB on it and it loves to wind up!

It has a lot better throttle response. More bottom end torque too. It will still wind out also. Good intake for street use

[jovozx12]

I agree on the 6.0L. I currently have a 5.3 in my 69 camaro and it runs great but I'm ready for more. If you do a 6.0 motor then you can run the LS3 heads which flow much better than a set of 243s.