Am I always going to have the current money pit situation that I already have if I start building up the stock 5.3L I have, or should I just save money to add displacement with engine swap and go from there. Thoughts, opinions? I'm looking to eventually break into sub 12s realizing that a new trans (4L80E) will likely have to come with that. Is it worth doing full bolt on/ tune, and wait till the motor dies and than swap. Or wait until I can afford what I'm really trying to get at. My eyes have recently on twin turbo setups.....

 

I had the same debate, but I chose to keep my 5.3. I just made sure everything I bought for it would swap over to a 6.0. If you have the money, and don't really mind spending it on a bigger motor, just get a 6.0 or 6.2 then. Sell the 5.3 and get some change for it.

 

What do you approximate a 5.3 w/ LS6 cam, cai, headers, tune, and maybe 100 shot quarter time? Rollpan w/o spare Will she hold up or do transmissions start to go quickly

 

The cam is good for 20-30 hp, cai 0-5hp, headers 20 hp,tune 20-30 hp.
Thats possibly about 300-350 flywheel hp. then the shot on top of that.

The trans should be fine. I know a guy who sprayed up to 175 on his bone stock 5.3L for 3-4 years. slicks and all and the only reason he swapped the tranny is he manual shifted it into REVERSE during a race.

 

WOW shifting to reverse mid race must have made quite an interesting sound....Some more thoughts/opinions from people w/ motor swaps vs. modded 5.3's

 

So you going full bolt-ons and spray?

 

I think full bolt on will be a pretty good start. Maybe a cam...nos for later

 

mine started out with a 5.3 bought a 6.2 swapped cams and installed it.
times in the sig. its a stock port head just milled 20thousandths. full weight, full tank of gas, 3 ton jack in the back seat. 79* weather 100 IATs