Hello All,
I'm a mechanic and tuner from the car world who has recently come to the world of trucks-
I have a 2002 'burban 5.3L 'Z' motor (flex fuel) that we added a Procharger to about 6 months ago- (the truck already had headers, true dual exhaust, hypertech tuning, throttle body spacer etc.)
This week injector #7 went bad and I burnt a hole in #7 piston under full boost (8psi).
So now the motor comes out and my questions begin:
#1- Where can I find forged pistons for this engine? Have any of you had them made yet? I haven't called JE or CP yet to see if they have already made them.
#2 Does anybody have any idea what the actual difference is between the LM7 and the L59 engines?
#3- Fasteners- i have a big budget for this build and would like to put on any ARP fasteners I can find for the rods, heads and mains- anybody know what fits from other GM motors?
#4- has anyone over-bored these motors? Can I go out to a 5.7L piston size?

Thanks Guys,
I look forward to talking with you more and showing you how this beast turns out!

 

You can build a 5.7 out of the 5.3, and even stroke it to a little over 380ci

If you've got a big budget, buy a late model LQ4 6L shortblock, my CNC West Coast 317 heads and ARP head and rod hardware, along with the right camshaft and let her fly!!!

 

Welcome Man.

Good luck with your build, a boosted suburban is awesome.

You werent running hypertech tuning with the procharger were you?

I think i know why you burned a piston.

Make sure you get a custom tune when your finished.

Good luck with your build.

 

i'm with them. depending on what you really want out of it, can do all the above. and definately stay away from hyperjunk tuning. do a search and get a custom tune.

 

yeah, I have wanted to build up a 5.3 and leave it a 5.3. Wiseco makes forged pistons, rods are the same as ls1 and ls2, arp studs top and bottom, rods should come with arp bolts. get some head work done and boost the **** out of it. good luck

 

#7 is a common problem like #5 was on 5.0 Ford. To answers.

#1) 5.3 forged pistons unsure, also, consider Mahle. Myself, I love the 5.3.
#2) If L59 is the flex fuel vers. of LM7, it's got bigger injectors
#3) ARP has em that fit LS motors.
#4) Yes on both counts.

Welcome.

Nice plug Ben.

 

Wiesco makes forged 5.3 pistons.

 

 

There is no good reason, even if you have a free 5.3l block to build a forged bottom end one rather than boring it to 3.9" (ls1 type cubes). Staying with a 5.3l bore is really bad decision in every way.

Pickup a 6.0 block otherwise and its a better choice for all intensive purposes.

 

If you have a "big" budget then call Erik at HKE and have something purpose built that will make huge power and last forever... That is the "right" thing to do with a "big" budget... Removes all of the guess work...