I want to finish this right, but I want to do it somewhat economically so that I have some play money left over for the expected unexpected expenses . Im doing the motor first with the tranny soon to follow (want to wait for others to finish pioneering). Im considering one of two options.
1. My 5.3 with stock 6.0 heads, cam, springs, and maybe ARP head studs
2. complete stock 6.0
Im not really looking for the most power, just the least to screw up. Keep in mind I have to pay for the install stuff since I cant do any of it so please factor in install prices since I have no idea as to these.
The 4L80 will have to be adapted to either of these since Im not going to go through 3 of those. Both setups will be run with 10-12# of boost and alk injection. If you could give me some pricing estimates it would be greatly appreciated

 

become really good friends with a mechanic

 

Which setup would make the most power?? If I stayed with the 5.3 block and didnt have to pay for an entire engine swap Id get a blower cam and maybe a little headwork.
May just build a forged 5.3 with the blower cam, 6.0 heads with a little work and bolt that up to a 4L80. What do you guys think??

 

Heres the thing if you pay for the 5.3 to get built up like im doing already, you wont have that much money left to play with. If your gonna boost it go with the 6.0 if you can. Reasons: 6.0 lower CR, more power cause of larger displacement, less chance in blowing it since its pretty HD already, for the price of what you'll put in the 5.3 you can have the 6.0 droped in and suped up. Even if you can just merely get the 6.0 black and start from there it would be more efficient with boost, JMO!!! As far as prices go well thats somethin you;ll have to figure out everyone is diff. If i were you id talk to as many people as you can on this site until you find one that lives in your area and ask him or her where they get there work done at!!!!

 

I think the stock 5.3 would last forever with 10-12 psi and alk injection. WITH A GOOD TUNE!! The best mod you could do would be an onboard wideband.

I'd suggest maybe just a blower cam with good low end power to make up for the peaky powerband of the Vortech.

 

Where do I get a wideband?? Im really leaning towards leaving the 5.3 in and building on it. I dont have the skill to do an engine swap and the quotes I have been getting were a little ridiculous IMO. For what they were going to charge to do a motor swap I could buy/ install the blower cam, buy/ install some cleaned up 6.0 heads and springs, ARP headbolts, and maybe some rods as well. A little more for forged pistons, but I think this would make alot more power and be pretty bulletproof. Im going to get some more quotes, but Im going to start buying stuff soon. Would 500hp from this setup be too optimistic??

 

FJO has the nicest one IMO, but its a little pricey. I think I paid around $800. There are others for $5-600 range. I don't know the brands though.

Do you know how much air your Vortech will flow before the belt starts slipping? That might determine how much power you'll make.

500 flywheel HP should be no problem, stock cam, heads, everything. I think 10 psi would get you there easily.

500 rear wheel will be a little tougher.

 

"they" say it will support 18# on a 5.3. Im assuming that it will actually produce that with a belt and those arent simply what the impeller will spin. Guess I'll find out. Would it be a better Idea to just keep the 5.3 heads and have the valves etc cleaned up a bit or do I stand to gain from the 6.0 head swap?? Guess I'll have to get the wideband as well as a new laptop. What do you think the blower cam will be worth??

 

I don't know much about cams, so I can't help on that one.

If it were me, I'd just stick the blower on it and leave the internals stock for now. But thats just me. These engines will stand up to some serious HP stock.

If you have edit, EFI Live, and a wideband, you can throw alot at these motors, if you keep a safe tune and don't let them knock.

What size pulley did Vortech send you with the kit? What boost number is it supposed to give you?

 

What size pulley did Vortech send you with the kit? What boost number is it supposed to give you?[/QUOTE]
Not sure on the size. It makes 6.5-7#. Im waiting on a new PCM to put on a 11# pulley and the alk inj.
I guess I'll find out the best way to go when I talk to a shop a friend of a friend owns. If he'll do the 6.0 swap for a decent price I may just slap a cam and ARP headbolts on that and be done with the performance stuff. I could make up some of the money by selling my 5.3.
Thanks for the help, just want to make an informed choice this time.