for the cam you absolutely cant go wrong with the Lingenfelter GT2-3 in a Radix Combo.

 

Are you recommending the Lingenfelter cam rather than the Comp Cam you had decided on? I'm confused.

Is there anyplace where I can trade my 5.3 for a 6.0?

If I can't find a place that would take my stock 5.3 on trade for a LQ9 then I'm thinking of buying a new complete 6.0 crate engine. Or.... where could I find a 6.0 long block? And if I'm going to that much expense/work why not start the project with a SLP 402 short block? Or... What is the best way to start off this project.... given that I'm starting from scratch? The SLP?? Other short block??? Scoggy has a long block they want to sell me w/ Patriot heads for $6500.

Thanks, Jim

 

I am recommending the gt2-3 over the Cam I chose for those that don't have access to a GOOD tuner! Not sure what the case is for you.

On the SS site Zippy has taken a 220/224 on a 114 LSA to 12.5 (on a SS) in the quarter, however, it took considerable time tuning to get it there, the tuning aspect CAN NOT be overlooked when choosing a Cam. If you don't have a Live tuner and considerable time, stick to the GT2-3.

 

If you are gonna put this kinda cash into it, you need to play with the idea of getting a motor built. I really wish I had. Give combination motorsports a call for pricing ideas. As moregrip has pointed out, live tuning is a must for anything that gets messy and has more than just bolt ons.

6500 sounds like alot for a long block IMO, even with $2200 heads. Stock long block? Call the motorshops, price out building a long block before you leap.

https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...d.php?t=350265

 

what exactly are your plans?

 

Exactly what are my plans? Now there's the $64k question. I can't decide which engine I should go with.

In all instances I'll be using my Radix and I'll be switching to 4.10 gears. So, that being a given the options are.....

Stick with the 5.3 and add a cam & heads BUT I don't know if that would be enough power to satisfy me and if it was not then I'd have blown a bunch of $$ on the heads & cam.... UNLESS the heads & cam would work well on a 6.0 as well as the 5.3. Cost? (About $2k I'd guess and the outcome.... maybe 450 rwhp/torque.)

The 6.0 seems llike the best bang for the buck... maybe. Find a salvage engine, bore it .030, put in forged pistons, a cam & heads and go? ($4k or so and probably about 500rwhp/torque)

BUT if I'm going to all that trouble to swap engines should't I just bite the bullet and do a stroker and have the forged bottom end and extra power? How much sense does it make to gain 40 ci by switching to a 6.0 when I could get about 80 ci by puttin out the bucks for the stroker? Just buy the SLP aluminum short block and go for it, or... find a 6.0 block and build from there or?????????? ($7k or so and 550 rwhp/torque)

How much more hp/torque would I gain by doing the stroker over the 6.0 and is that gain worth the extra $2500 or more bucks?

In either case I'd have to swap transmissions and differential as well but if I just stick with the 5.3 and a cam/heads I could probably also keep my built 4l60E. Doing a swap to the 6.0 probably costs me $4k more than the 5.3 w/cam & heads and the stroker would add another $2k or so. So doing the bigger block probably costs me an extra $4k to $6k when it's all done.

So now I"ve come the whole circle and am back to thinkin that I should first try the 5.3 w/cam and heads (especially if I can find cam/heads that would also work well on a 6.0) and see if that's enough to satisfy me and if it's not then make the committment to "go all the way".

Doing the engine swap also brings up logistical problems. I have garage room to do the cam/heads on the 5.3 but I don't have the space to do a engine/trans swap so I'd have to find a place or hire it done. AND... what the hell am I going to do with my 5.3 if I pull it out? How would I sell it? It would just take up a lot of space in my already crowded garage. I'd love to find sombody that would take the 5.3 and 4l60 on trade for a 6.0 and 4l80 and would do the swap for me but that seems unlikely.

So..... I don't know... Radix plus 5.3 w/cam & heads, or Radix plus 6.0 w/cam & heads or Radix plus 402. I need to call WCCH or Lingenfelter or somebody to see if I can find a cam & heads that would work well on a 5.3 and a 6.0.

The Radix got me about 100 hp/torque and cost about $6k and it looks like if I want another 100 hp/torque gain I'll have to fork out another approximately $4k. or maybe $6k for another 150 hp/torque.

I know that nobody can make the decision or tell me what to do but I sure could use some input/ideas/recommendations from guys that have "been there" and know more pros & cons that I haven't thought up yet. Thanks, Jim

 

yeah, once you decide on a course of action then we can be of more help. I don't believe 6.0L heads on a 5.3 is ideal, however, Flyer ran an 11.98 with a cam/6.0L heads/Radix, might want to pick his brain a little. Whatever you decide I'm sure Richard @ WCCH would be more than happy to talk tech with you on your choices/options.

 

Thanks Grippy. Thinkin on the way to work..... no way I'll go to the trouble of doing an engine and trans swap and not do the stroker. So this leaves me with the options of my 5.3 w/cam & heads or throwing $6K to $8K at the project and doing the 402 plus a built 80E. I'll be doing a 5.3 this winter and I'll be calling WCCH Richard and/or Lingenfelter.