I have a toyota mud truck with a 5.3, LS6 cam, 918s, Maggie 112, 3.2" pulley (6.4 psi), free flowing exhaust, 4L80E, divorced NP205 t-case, 1 ton axles with lockers and 5.13:1 gears, and cut 44" boggers. On 38" tires it made 369 hp in 2nd gear(dynojet) I think tcc unlocked, not sure about tcc. Decent numbers for what it is, but I'm pretty disappointed in its performance.

I am interested in a Trucker cam for it, but lately I am wondering if I should start saving for a 6.0. I wonder if my 122 would be any good on top of a 6.0 with the Trucker? I originally chose the 5.3 b/c they are so cheap and common, when I wound an engine I can just get a low mileage take out and swap it in a weekend. The 6.0s seem to go for quite a bit more.

Do you guys think the cost difference would be worth the "performance enhancement"? Or would I be better off putting a Trucker in my 5.3 and pulley down, maybe with meth? I am falling behind all the high compression carbed big blocks... and I have a lot more money and time in my setup.

Thanks, Brint

 

Brint what r u looking for? In performance

 

I don't think I would be "disappointed" at all. I mean your only running 6.4psi and 38" tires. What was you hoping for?

I would leave the cam alone and look towards a pulley if you got the fuel for it.

 

I guess I sound a little ungrateful. There first engine I put in the truck was a 1998 Vortec 5.7 bone stock with a mail order tune. Last year I spend a great deal of money (parts) and nearly all year worth of my labor thinking the 5.3 S/C would blow it out of the water. I was wrong. As far as I can tell, in the mud it makes the exact same power as the 5.7. I don't mean I'm disappointed with the dyno numbers, I could pretty much care less about that. I'm just dissapointed that it doesn't make any more power/ wheel speed in the mud.

Do you guys think there is a lot more to be had out of this 5.3 with more boost? It would have to be significant. Thanks for the replys!

 

Carbed big blocks are good noise makers. Pulley that MP112 down to get 9 or 10psi. Unless they are running 600+ cid, you'll be able to run with 'em. You'll be twisting 450 ft/lbs before they can clear their throats.

 

Do you a boost gauge in the truck? You maybe losing boost do to belt getting wet! Just a thought

 

Most of the smaller trucks like mine run 468ci. BBC around 14-15:1 CR, some are spray happy on top of that. I'd like to pulley down on this one but I can't help but wonder if a 6.0 and pulley down would be more what I'm looking for. How much boost does your setup make?

I do have a boost guage in the truck. That is a great thought about the belt, but I have done a pretty good job of mud/ water proofing the engine bay. All radiators and coolers are in the bed under a bed cover. Floor of bed cut out. Thanks again for the replys.

 

I would definitely try your hardest to keep the belt dry. That 5.3 should run pretty good on 6.4 psi, I would run E85 and 10 psi. Meth is good, I ran it for awhile, but I always worry about something failing. E85 is almost like running meth all the time. Are you running the 112 or 122? You state both in your first post. If the 122, get a 6.0 and run it at 9-10 psi and you will notice quite a gain. Also, how do the 5.13s feel with the 4l80? With 44" boggers, you may benefit from going even a bit lower with the gears, but I am not sure on that one. Keep us posted, sounds like a fun setup!

 

6.0 and pulley down is gonna take all the breath from that blower! You might see 7psi from that blower but its gonna make a ton of heat and kill power! I say stick with the 5.3 and solve any belt slip issues and turn up the boost and might consider meth as a option, considering most mud bog trucks stay at high rpm you are creating more heat the longer it revs! also e85 is a option as ^^^ mentioned but you gotta have the fuel system to support it and you also need to be able to get the gas so you can run the truck......

 

Joey, I am quite certain it is a 112. The 122 was a typo, good catch! I'll have to do a little reading on E85- I know nothing about it.

Low, your'e absolutely right about extended long revs and heat. I have been thinking for a while now that I made a huge mistake going with this combo and would love to build a nasty NA LS since I like to stay at WOT for long periods of time, but I decided early this year that the money is no longer there to start reinventing. I feel that I am married to this blower.