i planned on some ARP head studs and ARP rod bolts as you can see in my first post. figure WTH they cant hurt.

i know that the 4l60e is a big POS when it comes to going BIG HP. i have seen a couple cryotreated internal 4l65e's that where built handle 700whp for a season. Both where in 93+ F-bodies.

physically is the 4l80e alot bigger then the 4l60e? i know you hit some big hp on a stock 4l80e with just a shift kit.

if i could get an LS1 block i would love to, to get the weight down. throw some 6.0L heads on it with some good pistons/rods and go to town.

 

as far as price at least localy i think you can get a 5.3 for around $600, a 6.0 for around $1100 and a 5.7 ls1 is still over $2000(not sure on the ls1).

i can see considering the 5.7 for the weight but dont really see any reason to go with a 5.3 unless you happen to have one laying around allready.

the 80 is larger but that doesn't mean it wont fit. even if it doesn't fit you can make it fit without much work. does the blazer have a tranny allready? if you are doing some kind of swap allready you might as well just jump to the 80. if you are using a tranny that is allready in the truck then maybe not.

 

What about using a set of 5.7 stock pistons and turn the 5.3 in to a LS1.
Would see more of a benefit when using the 6.0 heads with the extra cubes.
No need to hunt for a new block.

 

blazer has a 4l60e.

i might be picking up a 5.3L block for $150. its got main caps, crank, oil pump, pan, pickup. Minus Heads, rods/pistons, intake

 

The go for a bored 5.3, they dont make pistons for the 3.78 bore anyway you have to go up to 3.901 or more which is the standard LS1 over-bore. Go for an 80e with a shift kit and dont waste your money on the 60es, I did and I regrett hell out of it. I have my 80e laying in the garage I can take some measurements off of it for you if you want. The 80e really isnt any bigger, its a bit more slender and a bit wider in the pan arear but the bellhousing and the actual "guts" part doesnt look to be any bigger.

 

oaky cool. thats good 2 know. will upping the displacment to 5.7L really make a BIG difference. i know it will allow for better pump gas numbers which is what im looking for.

 

i do know it will allow the use of forged pistons without paying for custom built ones