5.3 LS 383 combo "Torquey N Tusky"
11-07-2015, 08:06 AM
#1
5.3 LS 383 combo "Torquey N Tusky"
I came across this article in a old GMHTP magazine. It's rare that you see a gas motor producing making more torque than horsepower. I think this combo is simple and would be a really stomp puller!! What do you guys think ? I read daily at work since I can't have my phone inside my work space.
Using a procomp 4" crank... making the 5.3 to a 383 ci.*
Stock truck intake*
6.0 heads*#317
Long tube headers
212/218 cam
Results.... 455 hp/485ft lbs of torque
Motor exceeded 450 ft lb at 3200!! I'm not sure how the motor would sound since it's stroked and the lobe separation angle was on a 115.
Before you guys bring up prices I'm go mention this. Sure it'll be easy to get this power out a 6.0 with good heads but I highly doubt that it would make 450 ft lbs of torque at 3200 rpm. That 4 inch stroker crank is just simply making this combo a animal!! Junkyard 6.0 motors or a hit or miss.... being there did that. I personally hate taking a chance on something used like that. Nothing like having new bearings, rings, pistons etc .... in the bottom end. Plus 6.0 motors are a bit more pricey than a 5.3 motor. I have a close friend of mine that I help out all the time and he'll basically give me a 5.3 block.
Moving on, I know stroker LS motors are expensive. A 408 ci short block averages around 4500 bucks. I called some speed shops yesterday and simply asked them if I sent you a 5.3 block how much would you send it back to me as a forged 383ci shortblock? The answer from two shops I called told me 3000 bucks. That's 1500 bucks cheaper than going the 408ci route. Everybody got a jegs book laying around so I figure I'll make a comparison. I compared the traditional small block Chevy 383ci by gmpp called the HT which stands for High torque. The motor costs 4600 bucks and you'll still need to buy a carb and a distributor. Motor pumps out 340 hp/435 ft lb if torque. So I simply took the 4600 dollar deal and applied it like I was about to build the 383ci 5.3! With 4600 bucks in my hand this is what I can buy.
3000 bucks for 383ci 5.3 short block
200 bucks for 6.0 heads
100 bucks for pushrods
120 for oil pump
200 bucks gasket kit
75 bucks for truck intake
420 for cam kit *btr stage 2
200 bucks for gaskets
115 bucks for btr trunion kit
200 bucks for lifters
100 bucks for timing chain
all these parts here can be had just for a hair under 4600 bucks
#sure I'm missing a couple of parts but not much. About time you buy a decent carb for the older traditional 383ci HT by GM performance performance parts you'll be north of 5 grand. Carbs is not cheap at all!! Also a good distributor costs 200 bucks!
* I just wanted to share this combo on what can be done with careful planning and thinking. I plan on duplicating this motor and installing it in a cat eye truck more than likely. It will be used to tow my Camaro to the LS fest yearly. Any questions please asked and I want to hear your opinions please.
Just for kicks and giggles I think a trailblazer SS intake would make the motor touch the 500 ft lb mark but I'm not 100 percent sure about this. It's been proven over and over the SS intake makes 10 horse / 15 foot pounds of torque more than a basic truck intake.
I'm also considering calling around to some sharp guys on heads and simply ask them if the heads was hand blended would it hurt my torque number. I'm still studying on this but I will update as I learn and hear from from some respected names in cylinder head work.
Using a procomp 4" crank... making the 5.3 to a 383 ci.*
Stock truck intake*
6.0 heads*#317
Long tube headers
212/218 cam
Results.... 455 hp/485ft lbs of torque
Motor exceeded 450 ft lb at 3200!! I'm not sure how the motor would sound since it's stroked and the lobe separation angle was on a 115.
Before you guys bring up prices I'm go mention this. Sure it'll be easy to get this power out a 6.0 with good heads but I highly doubt that it would make 450 ft lbs of torque at 3200 rpm. That 4 inch stroker crank is just simply making this combo a animal!! Junkyard 6.0 motors or a hit or miss.... being there did that. I personally hate taking a chance on something used like that. Nothing like having new bearings, rings, pistons etc .... in the bottom end. Plus 6.0 motors are a bit more pricey than a 5.3 motor. I have a close friend of mine that I help out all the time and he'll basically give me a 5.3 block.
Moving on, I know stroker LS motors are expensive. A 408 ci short block averages around 4500 bucks. I called some speed shops yesterday and simply asked them if I sent you a 5.3 block how much would you send it back to me as a forged 383ci shortblock? The answer from two shops I called told me 3000 bucks. That's 1500 bucks cheaper than going the 408ci route. Everybody got a jegs book laying around so I figure I'll make a comparison. I compared the traditional small block Chevy 383ci by gmpp called the HT which stands for High torque. The motor costs 4600 bucks and you'll still need to buy a carb and a distributor. Motor pumps out 340 hp/435 ft lb if torque. So I simply took the 4600 dollar deal and applied it like I was about to build the 383ci 5.3! With 4600 bucks in my hand this is what I can buy.
3000 bucks for 383ci 5.3 short block
200 bucks for 6.0 heads
100 bucks for pushrods
120 for oil pump
200 bucks gasket kit
75 bucks for truck intake
420 for cam kit *btr stage 2
200 bucks for gaskets
115 bucks for btr trunion kit
200 bucks for lifters
100 bucks for timing chain
all these parts here can be had just for a hair under 4600 bucks
#sure I'm missing a couple of parts but not much. About time you buy a decent carb for the older traditional 383ci HT by GM performance performance parts you'll be north of 5 grand. Carbs is not cheap at all!! Also a good distributor costs 200 bucks!
* I just wanted to share this combo on what can be done with careful planning and thinking. I plan on duplicating this motor and installing it in a cat eye truck more than likely. It will be used to tow my Camaro to the LS fest yearly. Any questions please asked and I want to hear your opinions please.
Just for kicks and giggles I think a trailblazer SS intake would make the motor touch the 500 ft lb mark but I'm not 100 percent sure about this. It's been proven over and over the SS intake makes 10 horse / 15 foot pounds of torque more than a basic truck intake.
I'm also considering calling around to some sharp guys on heads and simply ask them if the heads was hand blended would it hurt my torque number. I'm still studying on this but I will update as I learn and hear from from some respected names in cylinder head work.
11-07-2015, 09:09 AM
#2
block aside, it costs just as much to build a 383 and a 408. from a dependability stand point, i'd rather have a 370 than a 383 personally.
2nd. you're over thinking this. a 5.3 is more than capable of pulling a camaro. it doesnt need a cam, it doesnt need a tune...just slap a good trans cooler on the truck and pull the camaro. take the saved money and pour it into your camaro.
or take 3,500, buy a used supercharger and make more power/torque than a heads/cam 383.
2nd. you're over thinking this. a 5.3 is more than capable of pulling a camaro. it doesnt need a cam, it doesnt need a tune...just slap a good trans cooler on the truck and pull the camaro. take the saved money and pour it into your camaro.
or take 3,500, buy a used supercharger and make more power/torque than a heads/cam 383.
11-07-2015, 09:20 AM
#4
Formerly ScreamingL
A 408 and 383 cost same for internals if looking at base level
The machine work for the 5.3 block will offset cost of 6.0 block
Also if set on power toss on a turbo and make way more
The machine work for the 5.3 block will offset cost of 6.0 block
Also if set on power toss on a turbo and make way more
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