Whats up everyone! Im currently in the process of swapping my old TBI 454 which was stock and on the lower end of 150K miles to a Heads/Cam 5.3 and built 4L60E! Already I've gotten a lot of crap about taking the big block out but as you can see it had a lot of miles and with the TH400 it isn't the best daily driver...I'm definitely tired of using my sisters Cruze to go out of town as well.

I decided on a 5.3 since I got a great deal with the transmission with full accessories. I would like to go bigger sometime soon but I know with the 5.3 I won't take a power loss and the drive ability will be awesome. The big block came out last week and my swap headers came in yesterday. I'm hoping to be done by the end of June so wish me luck on that

This is my first swap and engine build so I have a few questions regarding my build... I am curious as to how a stock 5.3 holds up with nitrous? About ~100 shot. Also for a H/C build I've heard the truck intake flows just fine so long as hood clearance isnt a problem (which I dont imagine it will be) This is what I was leaning towards for my engine combo. I'm open to any opinions and advice with a little explaining if you don't mind.

Iron 5.3 block
Stock Bottom End
TSP ported LS6 oil pump
PRC 2.5 5.3 heads assembled
TSP 224R on a 112 LSA
Hardened Pushrods (not sure on length)
LS2 Double Roller Timing Chain
Electric Water Pump
Schoenfeld 1302 swap headers
True dual setup w/ Flowmaster Single Chambers
Circle D 3000 stall
Factory 3:73's
And a good tune...

I MIGHT also be considering boring to LS1 spec depending on how my finances play out...anyone have any thoughts or experience with that? Forged slugs of course...

I was also thinking of spaying a bit but wasn't too sure...also this is gonna be a Daily Driver for the most part. Gonna do a 2/4 drop as well, not sure if it will be a problem with header clearance. But so far that's the build, I'm still kinda in the planning and ordering stage so I wanted to get you PT.NET guru's thoughts lol

Oh! Also any advice on affordable stand alones would be appreciated.

 

Pm me for stand alone harness, I know a place with great prices.

 

Thanks! I definately will when the time comes.

This is the truck...about as stock as can be..


Old engine is out, painted and new intake/valve covers on


...And these are staying in the box until the top end gets here, which I will be ordering Tuesday.


Still would like a little feedback on the combo...Im pretty confident in it and I know the heads have a lot of potential still left on the table. Any thoughts?

 

holy crap sorry I thought I resized that!

 

trust me a 5.3 especially if you add a turbo will make plenty of power. yes the 454's that came in those are dogs would you believe the 5.3 made more hp then that 454.

 

I know it's your truck man, but honestly taking a 454 cubic inch engine out and putting back in 325 cubic inch one in my opinion starts you out behind. I know the 5.3 made more power stock for stock, but a head and cammed 5.3 will make 450-475ish vs a head and roller cammed 468 would have made 550-575ish easy naturally aspirated then you could spray 150 on it and have a damn monster. Not sure what your spending on the swap but it would have to be close to same price to build the 454. But hey this is all my opinion its your money and your truck so do what you like.

 

Ane yes the truck intake will be fine with your setup, and I hit my 5.3 with 200 shot for a good while and it was completely stock bottom end, just make sure plugs and timing are right on. I don't think I would waste the money boring the 5.3, by the time you bore it get pistons and rings you could just buy a used 6.0. I guess the upside to your swap it will be way friendlier on the highway, but you coulda got a rebuilt gear vendors for the th400 and had overdrive.

 

Going to be way better in performance and economy wise

 

Agreed and my truck is big block powered
8 city and 12 hiway

 

Yeah definitely. I'm probably gonna post my build up on the main performance forum, hoping to get more feedback.