i have a 02 silverado z71. needs a motor it has a 5.3 in it.
i want to build a motor for it but not shure what to put in it a 5.3 or 6.0.
my goat for the truck is to have 400hp maybe 420. around the 400 mark.
i want a cam in it small one dont want to change torqe converter.
my question is do i buld a 5.3 with head and cam or a 6.0 head and cam.
i want to try to keep runin regular fuel. witch motor is better for what i want to do. i drive the truck every day want to get somewhat good fuel econmy.
whats your guy suggestions. what cam or heads should i use one either motor.

 

If going budget then either find a 6.0 and cam it,or punch the 5.3 to 5.7 which you can find take out pistons or new or low mile,do a cam and 243 heads

 

Its doable with a 5.3 but its easier with a 6.0. search others set-ups. Im making about 420 to the ground with my set-up.

 

In general Fuel economy and Performance don't go together.

 

You might can luck up and find a good deal on a Ls1 5.7L and do cam and heads. What are the prices of the 5.3, 5.7 and 6.0 in your area and go from there. If you have the funds, I would get a 6.0 though.

If you are wanting 400-420 to the wheels then you will be under your goal a little because of the small cam and you want to run the stock converter. How small is the cam you are thinking with the 6.0? Why not tune it for mid grade fuel at least?

btw if you get a TBSS intake, it would help you get a little more power vs the stock intake.

If you want performance don't worry about the fuel mileage too much.

 

Yeah, small cam and reg gas means you'll fall well short of your 400 hp goal, assuming you mean power to the wheels. Old saying: there's no replacement for displacement. It'll be easier to make hp and especially tq with the 6.0.

 

i find lots of 5.3 for 400 bucks with low millage. 6.0 are in 1000 area. which 6.0 would be better. lq4 or lq9. was thinkin a 212 218 area cam realy small. 5.3 super cheep in my area. 6.0 hard to find for a good deal. i was thinkin of the eps truck torqe 1 or 2 cam.

 

Low mile LQ9 1k ? thats not bad , LQ9 = mo compression

 

My truck was the exception to this... that is until I put a stall in it.

Got around 16.8 highway before H/C/Efan/LT's
Got 19+ afterwards.

The stall in town kills me. Puts me somewhere around 10 in town.