i have a 87 s10 blazer that im putting a 5.3 in it. im wondering what years would be good.some years are better than others.i guess.i also wonder what is the rated hp at the flywheel? for a particular yr. i have already put a regular 350 in it. which i, taking out b/c it lost compression in it. plus i want something dependable. it weighed 3200 lbs. which considerable lightier than the full size trucks. so it should be decent in times. what are some good tuners. and can they be software upgradeable? so im tryin to learn the ls based engines. yall know more about what you can do to make some power. i know it is pretty much the same kinda upgrades. like cams,intake,headers,ect. but there is alot more electronics on these than im use too. im sure i have alot more questions. but feel free to give any input. i would appreciate it.

 

If your talking about the LM7(5.3) motor the first production year was in 99'. Those were way under-rated in power it came with 270Hp/315Tq at the fly. Also the stock PCM computer was no good,thats way alot of members here with a 99 silverado will upgrade the PCM to an 02 computer. The reason I think is it can be tuned out better.

In 2000 they upgraded the output in the 5.3 to 285Hp/325Tq. It stayed the same untill 03 and in 04 they went to 295/335 in the 5.3's! And then they got a 5.3 HO(L33) with 310hp stock. I guess any production year can be good as long as you do any necessary upgrades to them.

For tunning you can go with some sponsors at the right---------------->
Like Allen, HPTuners, Wait4me.....ect.

Hope that helps and more guys should chime in! Thanks.........

 

ANY YEAR 5.3 IS GOOD A TUNE WILL MAKE UP THE DIFF.I AM GUESSING THIS IS A DAILY DRIVER SO GO WITH A SAMLL CAM 212/218 R 216/220 AND A 2500 STALL GET A VALVE JOB AND SHAVED THE HEADS WHILE IT IS OUT THE TRUCK ALL BOLTS ONS,SITH SOME 4.10 IN BACK.
THAT WILL BE A LOW 12.s TRUCK.
A FRIEND HAS ONE WITH A STOCK MOTOR WITH A CAM AND BOLT NOS AND WENT 12.4s.AND HE HAS A SMALLER CAM THAN THE 212/218.

 

thats cool. i already have 4.10 gears in the rear. which intake would be a good one to pick up? would a bigger throttle body be wortht the $? headers are very limited for the s10's.

 

Remember that 99/00 model 5.3's had longer cranks and wont bolt up easily to a newer 4L60E. If it was me I would get a 01 or newer just to avoid that. Hell, I got a 2002 5.3 long block with 60K miles and only one broke ring land $400+shipping PM if interested.