I was all for the radix... but than i started to think.... how would a standard boost 5.3 compare to a mild h/c 6.0... I bet the 6.0 option would be cheaper.. but how would they compare when driving them? Would the radix 5.3 have more low end where the h/c 6.0 would pull stronger up top.... just tossing out ideas..I don't like the idea of a motor with a weak low end.. so maybe i'd not like the h/c 6.0...

 

If I had it to do over again I would consider getting a 6.0, doing heads and a cam, and letting it rip. My dyno with the Radix (stock Radix Superchips tune) was 340 RWHP/370 RWTQ before the cam, and 355 RWHP/380 RWTQ after. I think a good heads/cam 6.0L would be close to that. Regarding the low end, that's all in the H+C design....it is hard to beat the Radix low-end, but if low-end is important, your designer could ensure you didn't lose much.

Another option is to build your 6.0L now and perhaps boost it later if the power is not enough for you. I like that option because it leaves more choices open for later.

Good luck.

 

That is a really good comparison!

Depends upon how you set up the 6.0hc package. But, I'd bet the 5.3radix will make more power down low.

Max torque is at a low rpm with that blower. 3000-rpm range I believe? Whereas, a high output 6.0h/c package will make peak torque @ 4800-rpm.

Either could make bad *** setups I think.

 

Correct, there is oodles of torque down low with the Radix...that would be hard to beat.

 

I would most deff. build a head and cam 6 liter....like Naked AV said SC it later....Thats the way it was for my on my old vortec 5.7 i wish i would have started off building the motor b4 i just strapped on a whipple....i know the Radix is much diff. but hey...nothing like a built motor w/ a charger

 

5.3 and Radix. I've seen several 400+ rwhp radix 5.3s. A strong heads cam 6L can get 400 rwhp in a truck too. But thats only comparing peak HP, power in the radix 5.3 should be much stronger everywhere else compared to a big heads cam 6L. Daily driving will be "fun" with a radix and still tame when it needs to be. To get the most from the HC 6L, you'll need a big stall, which will make it less tame for the casual drive.

Your specific install had problems that caused you to have lower than average power gains. Almost every other Radix owner has made more than that. Now that you have some of the problems resolved, you need to get a good tune and have it re-dynoed. I'd like to see the results.


I'd rather have a heads cam 6L than a whipple.

 

I was thinking about these same two setups but I think Im going to get an lq4 and the radix cause my 5.3 has almost 150000 miles on it and I dont think it would live happily under boost. Anybody know what a bone stock lq4 with the radix will net power wise?

 

lq4 and a radix is strong

 

I think BigTex hit it right on the head. My truck made 372hp/390tq at the rear wheels with the stock radix, a corsa catback and a mild tune. I still have a lot of power to gain with the addition of a smaller pulley, headers, mild cam and methynol. I don't think I would have any problem hitting 450rwhp with these mods and it will easily drive better than an equivalently powered h/c 6.0. Good luck with whichever route you choose, you will have fun regardless.

 

Thanks for all the responses... no mater what I try to do I always go back to the radix...