I think the 5.3 is a great power plant! You can crank em up to 375 pretty easy. I have been getting a lot of LS motors over the past few months and really have my choice of anything. Im putting a 5.3 in my 67 convertible camaro and a 6.2 in my 70 camaro. I get the complete drop out 5.3 motors so cheap compared to anything else...its a no brainer for a budget LS swap. Hope that helps