Hey guys im pretty new to the lsx world so this question maybe asked alot but i couldnt find what i wanted through the search option. Im looking to put a 2001 5.3L mated to a T56 and put it into my 97 Trans Am. The guys over on Ls1tech sent me here as there is alot of tech advice on the 5.3L motor. The engine has long tubes, catted y pipe, magnaflow catback, and ls6 intake. I know these motors are rated from the factory at 295hp in an automatic truck. But my main question is how much rwhp will a full bolton 5.3 make through a T56 tranny? Do these motors adapt aswell to cam swaps as the LS1 motors?

Thanks!
Matt

 

They adapt very well to a cam and you'll have just as much or more hp than the ls1 with a cam swap.

 

Thanks for the info i just didnt know if i should just wait for a ls1 to pop into my car but seems like the 5.3 very close to making the same power as a ls1 just being decubed and and steel block vs aluminum. What you figure a 5.3 mated to a t56 with full exhaust and boltons?

 

Just FYI most bolt on/tuned LS1s put down more than 330 RWHP.

You'll need a decent cam and a good tune to match/beat those numbers and you still won't have the low end grunt or "magic" that the LS1 has.

 

this is not true,a cammed 5.3 is still not going to outperform a ls1.

 

Well the guy selling me the car says that he estimates it to put out 320rwhp the way it sits tuned. So compared to an LS1 is about 10rwhp less. I see alot of 5.3 guys putting ls6 cams into them and seeing 350rwhp for such a stock like cam. So for all the grief to swap the 5.3 out for a ls1 is for 10rwhp ill prob keep it in the car. Compared to my bolton lt1 with full exhaust that puts down 285rwhp and no more opti im very satifisied that ill be happy with the car and then do a cam swap to make over 350 rwhp easily and still retain 25+mpg.