Hey guys I just bought a 5.3 off craigslist this weekend and tore it down to find a little bit of surface rust on the cylinder walls. It should hone right out but now that Im pullin the pistons out Im considering putting a re-ring kit on it (Its got 104k so I might as well). So I've got a few questions:

-Any good online guides for rebuilding LS engines? I already know what Im doing as far as building it but I need torque specs and etc.

-Is there any cheap places online to buy gasket sets? or re-ring kits? Usually I use Summit or Jegs but they dont have anything for the LS style engines (which is ridiculous b/c they are EVERYWHERE!!!).

-My dad's buddy has a few older LS1 cams sitting around and he'll give me one for free... Is it going to be much improvement over my stock 5.3? I dont really want to drop the coin for an aftermarket cam b/c Im trying to build this thing on a college budget.

-The ECU will be getting retuned for the 5.3,exhaust, and whatever cam Im getting

-What size exhaust should I run? Im leaving the stock manifolds, ditching the cats, and doing a H pipe. Im not gonna get crazy with this thing down the road just trying to get better gas mileage, better towing, and make it a little more fun to drive

 

is there any problem with number 7 cyl .i have broke ring lands in the hole twice. i do have a pro charger on it and the guys tunning it said thay never had any problems. this time going with forged piston

 

I dont really know how that applies? No real problems here just doing some maintenance

 

ls1howto.com for tq specs. buy new rings and bearings, have it honed and put it together. i wouldnt bother with a stock ls1 cam IMO, call scoggin dickey---------------->for rings and bearings.

 

i know u are workin on a budget, but i would also invest in new lifters and trays, and a new oil pump. get all this out of the way now, so when you start modding, u have a solid foundation. anthe first things i would do is tune, cai, and long tube headers!!!! hope this somewhat got u pointed in the right direction!!

 

I just put My 5.3 back together and before I started I bought a chiltons book as well as another ls1 based tech book that you can find at barnes and noble. they really helped and Summit does have rings as well as just about everything else you need you just have to find the right person to talk to I ordered my rings from them they were speed pros but you can get the same ones from oreillys for about the same price. The guys at Scoggin dickey are extemely helpful and texas speed and performance! they both helped me along with parts and questions. I will be putting some specs and pics of my motor soon probably this weekend so look for that. you can also pm me I also built mine on a college budget!

 

Just a route i went you may want to look into?? I too dont have the extra money to build stuff like i used to when i was a single man

Stock 5.3 was free
4.8 pistons-50.00
Stock replacement rings and speed pro bearings-200.00
Used 212/218 low lift- 200.00
LS2 timing chain- 50.00
Yellow LS6 springs-50.00
maybe another 100.00 or so piecing together gaskets

Overall i ended up with a strong little 10.3:1 cammed 5.3 for around 750.00 and am extremely happy with how she runs.

 

Kazfan,

Can you still run 87 in that engine? Sounds like a nice build.

 

I did for a week or so and it did fine, but i went with a wheatley tune and upped the timing for 93 octane... to be a "trash" motor lol the little sucker will roll out pretty good. I am pleased with what i have invested in it.

 

Cool, thanks