Ok so you guys that are running over 10# on a stock bottom end, did yall do anything to the rings, head studs, or any of that? I just finished a 76mm kit and Im at 8# now. Just wondering what the max boost is on a completely stock 5.3. Its a daily driver as well.

 

i would just do head studs, LS9 gaskets and NGK BR7EF plugs. i would leave the rings as they are up to around 17 psi.

 

Save the money you would use to build the 5.3 and put it in the trans!
Stock ring gaps have worked but they are tiny so if the piston get warm from bad tuning the top ring will too. When it butts that's when you lose the top ring land. If you can find one I suggest getting an old ls1 steam vent set up. That allows the steam that forms on the back side of the engine to escape. Steam won't cool and cause 7/8 to swell, if this happens you get the wonderful number 7 to go by by.

 

Okay so what ill do then is pull the 4.8 and fix some leaks and freshen it up and do ls9 gaskets, some head studs. What intake? Ls7 maybe? And ill leave the stock cam and heads for now, im saving for the kit and other bs parts, ill start a build thread once ive got some parts rolling in

 

The stock intake is fine and works for a better powerband for these pigs. Use the money for a custom cam, and better timing chain.