350 hp from a first gen 5.3? Question heavy

Fastnloud5.3

Fastnloud5.3

Rustbucket
Jan 22, 2015
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Mitten
Being new to ls engines, everyone has to start somewhere, so I set a rather low goal of around 350hp. Right now I am sitting bone stock as far as engine and trans goes. Is my goal reachable without going to far into the engine? What are my options? My pockets aren't deep enough nor is my spare time abundant enough to lq4/lq9 swap, so I'm planning staying 5.3 atleast till I blow something up. So how can I hit my goal without breaking the bank? Is 350hp even plausible without a cam and major internal work? How about a more plausible number?
 
Depends on what 5.3 you're starting with. An LM7 will be harder cuz you have less power to start with (285) thanks to less desirable heads/cam where as an all aluminum L33 already gets you 315hp with the good heads and more aggressive cam. But either way, you're not gonna get there without at the very least a cam swap unless you go boost.

A set of 243 heads, some kinda cam spec'd to your needs, a TBSS intake, LTs, full exhaust, and a tune would get you there or at least damn close
 
We talking 350 crank or 350 wheel? Two very different numbers... Neither of which will be reached without heads/cam swap.

For simplicity, a 6.0 swap is a much better idea. Throw a set of headers on there and a tune and you're making a decent amount of power already.
 
Khaos said:
We talking 350 crank or 350 wheel? Two very different numbers... Neither of which will be reached without heads/cam swap.

For simplicity, a 6.0 swap is a much better idea. Throw a set of headers on there and a tune and you're making a decent amount of power already.
Click to expand...

Agreed. You'll also most likely spend more time and money getting a 5.3 to 350whp than you would swapping in a stock 6.0.

NEITHER will be cheap though.
 
if you're talking to the wheels, your tire size and weight is also gonna play a big role. my 5.3l truck with a tsp220, intake, LTs, and a good dyno tune only made 268rwhp. It was also turning 33" Toyo MTs.
My tuner had almost the same setup on 20" TBSS wheels and small street tires and he made about 315rwhp.
 
Give you an idea. MY old engine( 99 5.3) with a Comp Cams 212/218, springs and rods, Long tube headers, intake, made 305rwhp and 330ft/lbs Tq.That would be about 350hp at crank and more TQ. Thats on 20" Wheels

Plus it really depends on what your truck is, Lowered, lifted, towing, not towing.
 
My stock internal LS2 with LT's, tune and efans rolled 350/375 AWHP on 20's but like everyone said, gearing, tires, and purpose will determine where you get. BUDGET will determine how quickly you get there. So determine that, realize you're going to double your budget, and decide what you want to use the truck for.
 
When I did my cam/243s/tbss intake, I would have done a 6.0 swap had I not had a brand new 5.3 to start with
 
Gains on a NNBS intake are very negotiable, Personally i don't see the point.

7k strap a magnacharger on it and be done. Also as stated above, your trans will shit for sure
 
The "easiest way" is a hunna shot on a Nitrous Outlet plate kit..... Jus sayin.

As long as you're not spraying through the shifts your trans "may" last a little longer.

I will also tell you this; a stall converter will get you the BIGGEST seat of the pants gain. Hit up Chris at Circle D for a 3200 stall for about $300 and while old schoolers scoff at a 3k+ stall, it's VERY streetable. I DD my Yank PTB 3600 (I don't tow, whereas you can still tow with the 3200) and it's awesome. So if you want my opinion on the cheapest hp gain and biggest difference, do a plate kit for $1k ish and a $300 3200 stall.

Edit: Don't get hung up on HP numbers. They're just numbers. Every dyno is different but what matters is how it performs and how well it does what YOU want it to do.
 
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Im hunting for kick in the ass pull and a "did that big truck really just beat me" response when some jackass kids decide they need to floor it when Im passing. I guess 350 was more of a random number or a maximum I should say.
 
My truck was pretty good for what it was imo on 35s and whatnot. But I'd say look for a used boost option on pt.net
 
Im only on 285's and I mean it is peppy off the line but after that it just kinda looses its nuts. I think i'd go 6.0 before I went boost though. To many modifications to build any real psi. I bought gas to stay away from turbo$ and crap.
 
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