Well, I will have $10,000 put aside by the 26th of this month. I have set aside $3,000 for the converter and transmission build, so this leaves me $7,000 for the motor. I was looking to put Combination Motorsports turbo on, have them install it and dyno tune it. With this application I am looking right at $7,000 for the turbo.

I was wondering since they said that with a strong motor build, that it is only $300 more for upgrading to a 6.0 block, and that the pistons were more common and cheaper, so the build would be the same price on beefing up a 5.3, or getting a 6.0 and beefing that up. Will I have problems with passing emissions? Will this be safer of a motor to beat on, not having to worry about detonation? And how much power could I get from a normal aspirated 6.0 compared to the turbocharged 5.3 motor?

Talking to Seth, the nicest guy in the world if you got questions, said about 440 at the tires, and 420 torque, and about $7000 for a built motor with 9.1 to 1 compression for future turbo charging up to 12 to 14 lbs of boost. This would be all forged internals of course! I figured I could save another $7000 within 6 months to turbo this application later, and I am doing their stage 3 build on the tranny which they qaruntee to handle up to 700 hp and torque. So overall in one year I can go to 600 to 650 at the crank with this setup.

I don't really know if I am willing to invest such a huge chunk of my yearly income to this project, and the drivability would be crazy on the truck.

So I am looking for the 500hp and 500torque power levels for my truck, and wonder wich would be the better option for a motor that would last a long time, and would be a blast to drive for years to come!

So any comments would be appreciated, 5.3 turbo, or built 6.0?

 

Built 6.0L, meaning pistons, rod bolts etc. mild head job, beefy split dur. cam and a nice shot of wet juice

That would get you to 500rwhp easy and cost MUCH les than a turbo setup.

You'd have pretty decent power N/A (350-380rwhp) so you wouldn't have to use the bottle all the time.

That's what I plan for my truck anyway. I just can't justify $7 for FI right now. But you seem to be doin great (saving $7k in 6mo) so money is easier for you than me.

 

Go with the turbo,it's the perfect setup for high altitude.I don't think you would like a NA 6.0 nearly as much.

 

i would go with a mid compresion 6.0 for now, a heads and cam 6.0 with good internals and about stock compresion(9.4-1). work on traction and i think you could run 12's all day long, hit it with a 150shot and be well into the 11's

later down the line do the turbo if you want or not if you dont. it will run prety hard without it but if you even did go for the turbo it would run HARD.

 

If I go 6.0, will I have to upgrade my hotchkis springs up front, or is the weight not a real factor?

I will have to think long and hard on this one!

$7000 is totally neglecting my retirement plan, and a bit of overtime, and pissing off my girlfriend due to lack of gifts and taking her out, well, **** her anyway, thats all she is good for.(not saying this about all women, just mine), oh yeah, and $3000 dollar direct deposit IRS return!

 

Have you considered a Turbo with a Cam/Spring upgrade on your 5.3, And go with a stall. See how she runs and enjoy it for the summer. When and if you blow the Tranny maybe late summer than Throw the Turbo on a 6l and swap in a 80 or upgade the 60 to 65.

 

Do you think I will blow the tranny? They have built two 4l60e's that are running over 800hp for a couple of years now, without any problems, unless they are just completely lying, but they do offer a one year warrenty and garuntee!

I think that for sure I am just going to turbo at first, enjoy that as much as possible, and set aside a lot of money for a motor build, and a tranny swap possibility. They told me that I would be getting about 500 hp and 550 torque with just the turbo, I was just wondering the durability, and how long the stock block will take that before getting tired. I have now actually riden Seth's truck, that has over 9000 miles with the turbo, and it feels awesome except his slipping stock tranny, and even with that and no intercooler on at the time, his track felt fast and awesome!

 

No I don't think you will blow it but I'm sure someone would of said it eventually.

Are Trucks are pretty light so I don't think you'll have a problem and I'm sure don't want any with my Built Tranny but you never know. You have had some bad luck as far as the Driveshaft which suprised the hell out of me.

I would be interested in seeing how she runs with just the turbo and your mods now. Might as well keep the 4.10s if you might go with an 80e someday.

It never ends

 

Thanks for the input creed, and I know, but man, how much do I really need! I have never had a 500hp vehicle before anyway, so I don't think I will get tired of it anytime soon, and like I said before $10,000 is a lot of freakin mulah, and I don't think I want to spend much more than that. Also If I put a turbo timer, and a couple of monitoring gauges in the truck, it is probably going to run me at least another $1000 that I have to take into consideration. But I have talked to a few engine builders so far, and they have all said pretty much the same thing, keep it under 6000rpms, and the stock block should handle it with relatively no problems. Plus with the knock sensor, it should really never blow the block, since it will detune itself!