Finally bought a used 5.3l today thanks to gao8302.

Going to do the 5.3l to 5.7l forged build for 10-15 psi daily driven vehicle, not daily driven but capable. Not on a tight budget but don't want to skimp or break the bank. 317 or 243 heads, going to want about 9.5 compression ratio.

Brand and reason why the choice, looking for opinions with solid experience of use or knowledge of performance and price.
Looking for advise so I can make some informed decisions.

Rods,

Pistons,

Fasteners, head studs, rod bolts, main caps, etc.

Pushrods,

Valve Springs,

Rockers(stock?),

Flex Plate,

ANYTHING I MISSED???


Thanks in advance.

 

Got the engine build bug already?
And i know your going to tell the wife about this correct?

 

Diamond -2cc pistons and 317 heads will give you 9.5-1 cr. Lunati rods, arp studs where applicable and rod bolts, hardened push rods, stock rockers, Patriot gold springs, stock crank. I have all the above except I have -8.6 diamond pistons. Swapping to the -2cc. Just yanked the engine out to freshen it up. The oil pressure was getting low and the engine has about 65k on it.

 

SHHHHHHHHHHHHHH, Top secret **** going on here

"Honey, what's that big metal thingy in the corner of the garage?"
"Oh, that's some spare lawnmower parts I picked up at the junkyard."

 

well get these parts ordered and bring that damn thing over so we can throw that bitch in.

 

When I stopped and thought about all the money I'm going to spend over the next month I felt a little weird, almost sick.
Then I had a beer and the feeling went away.

New Truck engine
New Bike
New Turbo set Up=no money and a lot of fun.

 

Thanks quicksilverado, anyone else with opinions on the subject.
Usually you cant stop people from making comments here.

 

Don't forget to spec out rings too.

I'm assuming you're going to use the stock crank. So....you'll need all new bearings, which are relatively cheap. Pistons - there are several good brands. Wiseco, Probe, Diamond, JE, blah blah blah....depends on what dish size you're looking at. All of the major piston companies should make LS1 pistons. Rex put Wiseco in my 408 but likes to use Probe.

Rods - I decided to run Callies Compstar rods in my truck. They seemed to be the best forged rod for the price when I got them. Things might have changed though. Lots to choose from there too, and all are probably good quality.

Pushrods - hardened is hardened. Just find the brand that is the cheapest.

Rings - Stay away from gapless. That's all I have to say.

Heads - a ported set of 317's would be great for FI. 243's and 317's flow about the same IIRC, but the 317's have a much bigger chamber and are generally looked at as being more FI friendly.

Gaskets - stock

Fasteners - ARP or Katech

Stock rockers are fine

Stock flexplate is fine

Dual springs - don't really think it matter much as long as you go with a reputable company.

 

Thanks for the great info thunder
Got to put together a list and start making calls now, money will go quick!!

 

That would be a wicked lawnmower built by the devil himself.