I was wondering how the LS1 and 5.3 compare as far as adding a aftermarket intake such as all the ones you can get for the LS1 or any of the other mods you can do to LS1 motors?
I am a new 99 GMC Ex Cab ownere with a 5.3 and wonder where to start.

Thanks,
Andy

 

There are some people that know more, but the 4.8 and 5.3 liter engines are based off the LS1 engines. The intake manifold is the same,valvetrain is the same.camshaft.

 

intake is actually different but the truck intake produces more TQ then the ls1 itnake. really internally besides more cubic inches they are pretty much the same and alot of parts can be swapped back and forth. ls1 is aluminum and the 5.3 is iron. If I was you I wouuld figure out how much $$ I wanted to spend and set a goal and then we could really help you out alot more.

 

I am probably gonna start out with about $500-$1000 range to start and see wher eit leads from there.

Andy

 

Here is what you need to do with 1K:
Hooker LT Headers:
400 (I think)
Dynomax Ultraflow:
$80
Having the Y-pipe made and muffler put on (don't run pipes, just dump it @ axle):
$150
K&N FIPK:
$200 after tax @ autozone
PCMFORLESS tune (go at least with a 89 octane tune):
$250
Total:
Well... thats over budget but you get a decent bit of power for it
$1080

If you have to cut one of those things, cut the FIPK.

 

well, isn't that just about unknown info....

the 5.7 from the car interchanges with the 5.3 from the truck just as the older gen I small block's did between each other. the intakes aren't the same though and if you try to use a car intake on a truck you'll have to do some modifying to make it work. the car intake doesn't just bolt right up to a truck. they both respond to mods about the same, the 5.3 just being a bit more rev-happy. the 99 5.3 doesn't have the same camshaft as a 5.7 either. the 99 is only the 270 hp version with the smaller cam. gen III small blocks are interchangable, but don't all come with the same parts from the factory.... recomended first mods are a cat back exhaust, cold air intake, pcm software upgrade (most important), and shift kit with torque converter change if you are up for a bit more umph.

 

you could always get a zo6 cam some new springs and some inexpensive headers but that depends on exactly what you want and power is not the only thing that gives you faster e.t's for future references look into gearing (which has helped more than one person here out a lot ) and a converter somehting to keep in mind

 

Will the cams, such as the Z06 cam slide right in my motor with no trouble. I was reading in a magaziine about it last night and was thinking the same thing of trying one of them. Thanks for all the ideas so far and sorry for all the questions,

Andy

 

the Z06 cam you will need Z06 springs. this cam will actually bring your power band way up and if you don't have a stallit will feel like a dog undr 3500 rpms and then start moviing at 4000rpm. I wouldn't do it jsut for the fact that if your going to spend the money get a bigger cam and one that will work better for your application on the truck. IMO