What's the life expectancy of a stock 5.3 on a little F/I? Most likely a radix system. I'm sure this has been beat to death but is it reasonable? What is considered safe? Finally the most important of all questions what kind of gains would I see by bolting one on to an otherwise stock truck? What about with full exhaust?

Sorry about all the questions but I just sold my LT1 camaro and I need a new addiction. The Silverado is all I've got left to mod.

 

3


This question always reminds me of the "how many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop" commercial where the wise old owl goes 1,2, and bites it on the 3rd lick...3!

Click my sig, check page 2 and read.

 

the actual block is fine, its the crap inside of it that will let go. Many guys run stock long blocks with FI and never have a problem. Well they dont have a problem for the 1st 5k-40k miles. Its all in how you do it.

 

It all depends on how fast you are gonna get boared with where you are at, and start throwing more boost at it. Boost is like steroids, a little does wonders so alot more must make it better.................... then bang.................I need a 408!

 

Nice to see you fellas have a sense of humor!

So what's the weak link? What's the maximum safe boost? I know those are both subjective but just looking for the rule of thumb here.

My truck is in good mechanical condition with 58k on the clock...... would ya do it?

 

Well the maggie kit is engineered to live a happy life on a completely stock engine with 120hp add. the problems arise when one starts to get pulley happy and then the pistons and rods fight back

 

Weakest link is the pistons you start upping the boost (anything over 7-8 psi) and a little bit of detonation, it will break the ring lands off. You keep a safe tune in it and don't let it detonate and I've seen as much as 18psi on stock bottom ends, but at those levels, it's got a very short fuse. I've ran mine as high as 12, but usually, don't let it get above 10 psi and I'm ALWAYS right on top of my tune. For DDing its at 7.

 

 

You really have to watch out for the #7 cylinder going lean. If you're going with a radix, then you won't have that issue, but nevertheless 5.3 pistons are very weak. No detonation at all.....ever!

 

Doubt you'll find one person on here that wouldn't do it! Your block and pistons will hold up fine as long as you don't over do it on boost and add ons...which of course you will eventually, we all do!