new to the site and sorry if someone has already put this on here. i just bought a 1969 chevy stepside and i want to put in a 5.3l. also i would like to get 400hp to 500hp at the real wheels if it can be done. i also would like to spend less as i can cuz i have to buy the hole drive train. thanks if yall could help out

 

You're not going to be able to do it cheap, but it can be done. You'll need a 5.3, tranny, probably a new rear end, in order to hit your power goal with a 5.3 you'll want to go with some form of forced induction (blower/nitrous/turbo), custom headers, custom motor mounts, etc. If I were you, I'd start off with a 6.0 or better, so that you can just throw a big cam in there with all the proper supporting mods to get to your 4-500 RWHP goal.

 

5.3/80e cam/good heads with a turbo makes 475-500 easy.

6.0/80e heads/cam/intake/converter 450rwhp pretty simple.

6.0/80e LS6 cam/turbo makes 550hp easy

 

thanks i think i will be going with the 6.0. should i go with ls6 cam, springs, and manfold, what kind of heads should i use.

 

stock 6.0 with truck intake, LS6 cam, LS6 springs, id put pushrods. 70mm front mount turbo with 3.5" exhaust, stock 80e with a shift kit and stock converter put down 530ish rwhp with a safe tune.

 

Keep it simple, stock LQ4's are stout with a tune. If your on a budget, do it as you go, put in the engine and trans, run it a while. Then start doing power adders. LQ4 with a mild cam will give you 400hp at the crank.

Take your time educate your self and you will have a nice project truck when your done