pirate3

iTrader: (11)

OK. I have a 5.3 out of a 2001 tahoe. I am wanting to build this motor to put in a 2900# 1964 chevy II nova. I know i'm gonna go with the lsx intake, 78mm tb, mezierre water pump, arp rod bolts and an underdrive pulley. Beyond that what are the best head/cam combos. The car will be primarily drag/street race so "radical "is not a big deal. I will be running a 3200 stall and probably 3:73 gears behind a turbo 350. I had a 588/567 230/228 112 cam in my 2002 Z. Is this too big for the 5.3? Looking to make around 400-450 rwhp. A 100-125 shot isn't out of the question so the cam needs to be somewhat nitrous friendly? Any help guys will be much appreciated.

onebadrubi

you could do a small bore and make it a 5.7l iron block. Put some forged pistons and rods and stock crank and be easily ok up to 600+hp.

I cant see you gettin much more then 350-375 rwhp on motor out of the 5.3l.

1ImperialSS

iTrader: (5)

on that, i dont think you'd be able to get close to 450 on a n/a 5.3 might as well get a 6.0 and bore it to a 408 or something. but if you really want the 5.3 that cam wont be too big at all

pirate3

iTrader: (11)

You really think 400 is out of each? Even with a killer set of heads/cam? Not really looking to bore it out either. Going forged is likely for durabilities sake but gonna keep stock displacement. Kinda want to run 327 badges on it. I'm basically wanting to get as much as I can out of it. Tuning and setup will take care of the rest.

speedy02

iTrader: (2)

The truck intake manifold seems to max out around 350 rwhp and 6000 rpm N/A. I thank with a good set of heads, cam and intake manifold it can be done.. Use something like the LS6, FAST or victor JR intake..

pirate3

iTrader: (11)

Looked in the "cam" section and found this. 227/224 .569/.563 114 looks pretty good for what I'm wanting to do. Are aftermarket heads for the 5.7's gonna be too big? Been looking at the AFR's and Patriot's.

1ImperialSS

iTrader: (5)

heads for the 5.7l will lower your compression way too much for a n.a application.

onebadrubi

YOu are gonna want a TRUE set of ls6 heads with the ls6 valves. You can call any of the heads places and they can help you on what cam and heads will best your combo. They can make your cam/head combo more accurate and the max hp out of both by combining hte right ones.

It is probably possible. Im behind you 110% cause I want to see it done.

If you were to get a high flowing manifold, Fast or Vic JR. RUn a direct port setup. Get the compression to atleast 11:1. A head/cam combo best designed from the designing companys. And every supporting mod possible with STOUT tune.

Their is only way to find out. We can only tell you so much behind the computer. The rest is up to you to go out and do and find out and REPORT back to us.

Richard@WCCH

iTrader: (3)

Lose the reverse split cam. They don't work as well as a standard split cam. In a light car like the Nova you don't need to retain the low end grunt that heavier trucks need so something in the low 230º's@ .050" will do the trick. Put 6º of split on a 110º lsa and your in the right range.
I'm a little bit biased toward our Edelbrock 5.3l CNC head setup for this application, but it's the only aftermerket head with ports and chambers designed specifically for the 4.8l and 5.3l engines.

Good luck on your hot rodding project.

Richard

onebadrubi

can you elaborate on why they are the only heads with what I guess your are calling hte "right" ports(not saying your wrong, just lack of knowledge and want more)?

What is wrong with the ports and chambers on a bare set competitors or stock vs the 5.3l. I thought the 317 castings OVERALL flowed better then the 5.3l? which for what the majority of us are doing more air in can possible create more POWER?