Wykkyd

I'm ready to pull the trigger on these parts, but I'd like to get some opinions.

My goal is 500hp

LM7 5.3
Heads: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/a...make/chevrolet
Cam: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-8707r1?rrec=true
Head Gasket: https://briantooleyracing.com/btr-he...20OEM%20units!
Pistons: I'm planning on boring out the 5.3 to a 5.7 but I'm not sure which pistons to use? Any recommendations? I would like to use stock rods.

Is my head and cam selection good or are there better options for around the same price range?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated!

FFDP

iTrader: (2)

500 crank horsepower right?

Going to be tough to make a 5.3 or 5.7 make 500 tire, going straight to a 6.0 would have better power and way more torque. Because torque is what you really want to get a truck going.

Wykkyd

Yes, my goal is 500hp at the crank.

This is going into a 1985 Chevy S10, so 500hp at the crank is plenty for such a light little truck.

68Formula

Pick the head gasket after you have the short block assembled, so you can optimize quench distance. With that camshaft, you're going to want about 11-11.25:1.

1FastBrick

iTrader: (17)

Wykkyd

Are these AFR heads a good purchase?

1FastBrick

iTrader: (17)

Which ones?

Wykkyd

I have the link in my OP, but here ya go https://www.summitracing.com/parts/a...make/chevrolet.

1FastBrick

iTrader: (17)

The enforcer series are a great option if you don't already have heads.

68Formula

This is weird, I looked up the 1501 specs and it showed this:

210cc Street Head Flow Chart
.200 .300 .400 .500 .550 .600
Int 148 209 253 265 268 268
Exh 105 150 180 199 204 207
Test conducted at 28" of water (pressure) on Superflow 1020
Bore Size: 4.060", 3/4" radius plate exhaust, 1 3/4" curved pipe

BUT:
Then out of curiousity I looked up the 5.3L small bore variant and it shows this:

210cc Street Head Flow Chart
.200 .300 .400 .500 .550 .600
Int 136 199 246 272 276 265
Exh 93 140 180 204 211 215
Test conducted at 28" of water (pressure) on Superflow 1020
Bore Size: 4.060", 3/4" radius plate exhaust, 1 3/4" curved pipe

I find it hard to believe the ones for smaller bore flow better? Especially with smaller intake valve? Typo?

You should probably call and confirm. I think 268cfm is kind of cutting it close for a 500hp goal. 300cfm would give a little headroom for manifold losses and having to crutch it with a massive cam that won't drive well on the street. Those are a step up from any stock factory cathedral ports, but well behind any ported factory cathedrals. They don't even flow as well as the factory LS3s.