I traided my 1996 Silverado with the Vortec 5.0 for a 2003 5.3. It almost seems like the old 5.0 was faster then my 5.3. Why would this be? The 5.3 has about 60 more hp then the 5.0. It could just be in my head or maybe the new truck is just that much smoother!?! That 5.0 was a good truck though!

 

Believe me your 5.3 is so much faster.

 

was your 96 stock?

 

5.0's and 5.7's are Torque motors compared to the smoother power band of the LS1 style motors. Its fooling you. The 5.3 is way faster. Same as the LT1's compared to the LS1's. LT1's feel really powerful but there not.

 

Yes, what 95LS1TA said.

A LS1 based powerplant will fool you about how powerful it is because they are so powerful over a wide rpm range. Very smooth.

 

my '95 Z71 5.7 seemed to launch ALOT harder than my '99 6.0 does...and it had 90 less horsepower !!.....it was fooling me though because it's power was gone by 3500 RPM's and it shut down completely at 4500.....my '99 will pull strong all the way to the 5600 rpms I have it limited to and on the street it will walk circles around an OBS truck

 

Don't forget with a stiffer frame and body, you will not feel the flex and push as much cause of better traction, and less drama.

I really noticed it when I drove a 97 camaro z28, then drove a 2001 SS, The SS would spank the 97 all day long, but the 97 felt like, WOW this thing has power, it didn't have the power, it just pushed you all over the place, and you could feel the body flex. The 2001 was so much more stiffer, and contructed better that the increase in horsepower was so easily controlled by the new setup. Now you are talking 275, compared to 325hp, exact same block between vehicles.

 

I guess so! I know it has to be a much better engine. It just dosen't feel like it has that much more power. It makes sense about the body stiffness!

My work has a 2000 Ford 2500 with the 5.4 and it feels like it has tons of torque. it pushes you back in the seat but my 5.3 seems to get across the yard faster. I know the 5.3 has more hp then the 5.4 so I guess it is in the 2500's gears.

 

Yeah the 96 was stock.

 

hodgee...the 97z and 01 ss don't have the same block.