Yukon-ya
Full Access Member
Whats the best engine upgrade to go with, without having to do any major mods or rewiring?
Engine upgrade?
- Thread starter Yukon-ya
- Start date
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blueflamed03
Supporting Member
what motor do you have now?
Yukon-ya
Full Access Member
I have a 5.3, im happy with it but i want more power without going to a super or turbo charger. I like raw power like how they did before all the supers and turbo.
---------- Post added at 05:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:34 PM ----------
I was thinking about finding a low mile 5.3 and tuning it and doing some mods but i dont know enough about engines except what i have read or seen. Super chargers are cool but i dont want it to do major damage. idk any thoughts?
---------- Post added at 05:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:34 PM ----------
I was thinking about finding a low mile 5.3 and tuning it and doing some mods but i dont know enough about engines except what i have read or seen. Super chargers are cool but i dont want it to do major damage. idk any thoughts?
blueflamed03
Supporting Member
if yours is low mileage, I say add headers, a cam, which is new springs, cam, lifters if you want, and pushrods. Then have it custom tuned...even when you do blow up the 5.3 you have, all that can swap over to the newer low mileage replacement 
Another is what gears do you have, add a torque converter...that will help lowend.
Another is what gears do you have, add a torque converter...that will help lowend.
I know what you said about turbo and superchager systems.
but for the cost, I would just get a stage 1 turbo kit Trick performance Front mounts. you can get his kit for under 3k.
But if you mind is dead set on engine mods, its simple.
set of heads from Texas Speed a custom ground cam from EPS a set of long tube headers (Cooks, LPP, etc.), simple muffler swap and a BBtune. will get you ALONG way into more power..
you could do the standard issue 243 head and Z6 cam, springs swap. with the extras mentioned above. for fairly cheap.
If you dont care to loose alil bottom end and want alil more up top, also swap in the vette intake mani. Hit www.LS1Tech.com for these stock parts DIRT cheap.
but regaurdless of what you do a new Torque convertor and tune will put more power to ass than any thing.. for Price Vs "FELT" Hp gained.
If it was me.. I would do the turbo kit from trick, buy it set up for a Holset HX40 turbo.
Buy the HX from a diesal website for less than 200$ have it rebuilt for aprox 100$ from Justin over at DSMtuners.com.. (dont quote me on that cost, its been a few years since mine)
Or grown some ***'s and do a 6.0 swap with all of the above.
just remember, Your tranny is the ultimate weak link....
---------- Post added at 06:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:52 PM ----------
One often overlooked item that can gain a pretty good amount of power to the ground is a one peice Aluminum driveshaft with fresh ujoints.
where to buy one, well thats the question, most guys getthem custom made...
Check out Gmfullsize and especialy LS1truck, the guys at LS1truck are fanatics when it comes to power mods. not saying the guys here at my Fav place TYF! are not.. Just we tend to be a more "all around" cosmetic, power, MPG" crew...
What ever you do, dont waste money on BS pullys, throtle body spacers or any small shit like that, its a complete waste in the big picture. Go for BIG mods, thats where the $ per HP really shines..
but for the cost, I would just get a stage 1 turbo kit Trick performance Front mounts. you can get his kit for under 3k.
But if you mind is dead set on engine mods, its simple.
set of heads from Texas Speed a custom ground cam from EPS a set of long tube headers (Cooks, LPP, etc.), simple muffler swap and a BBtune. will get you ALONG way into more power..
you could do the standard issue 243 head and Z6 cam, springs swap. with the extras mentioned above. for fairly cheap.
If you dont care to loose alil bottom end and want alil more up top, also swap in the vette intake mani. Hit www.LS1Tech.com for these stock parts DIRT cheap.
but regaurdless of what you do a new Torque convertor and tune will put more power to ass than any thing.. for Price Vs "FELT" Hp gained.
If it was me.. I would do the turbo kit from trick, buy it set up for a Holset HX40 turbo.
Buy the HX from a diesal website for less than 200$ have it rebuilt for aprox 100$ from Justin over at DSMtuners.com.. (dont quote me on that cost, its been a few years since mine)
Or grown some ***'s and do a 6.0 swap with all of the above.
just remember, Your tranny is the ultimate weak link....
---------- Post added at 06:04 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:52 PM ----------
One often overlooked item that can gain a pretty good amount of power to the ground is a one peice Aluminum driveshaft with fresh ujoints.
where to buy one, well thats the question, most guys getthem custom made...
Check out Gmfullsize and especialy LS1truck, the guys at LS1truck are fanatics when it comes to power mods. not saying the guys here at my Fav place TYF! are not.. Just we tend to be a more "all around" cosmetic, power, MPG" crew...
What ever you do, dont waste money on BS pullys, throtle body spacers or any small shit like that, its a complete waste in the big picture. Go for BIG mods, thats where the $ per HP really shines..
Last edited:
Yukon-ya
Full Access Member
I wanted to start with a low mile engine though, something like 20-30000 miles. At justins i could get a brand new one for not that much last time i checked "3200" maybe!! "Blueflamed03"
I like those ideas more but just didnt know enough. I would go with those but not with the engine i have now. She has 98 or 99000, not sure but id rather start with used or brand new so i could at least see some of the progress and how it all came together.
"ezdaar"
---------- Post added at 07:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:23 AM ----------
LOL That was the other thing i wanted to know about with our engines "5.3,5.7,6.0" Whats a good tranny that can handle the mods of that new engine and can keep up and beyond?
I know everything was made to break to of course repair again.. But something thats going to have a long life and if needs to be fixed its something maybe i could do with the help of someone.
I like those ideas more but just didnt know enough. I would go with those but not with the engine i have now. She has 98 or 99000, not sure but id rather start with used or brand new so i could at least see some of the progress and how it all came together.
"ezdaar"
---------- Post added at 07:27 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:23 AM ----------
LOL That was the other thing i wanted to know about with our engines "5.3,5.7,6.0" Whats a good tranny that can handle the mods of that new engine and can keep up and beyond?
I know everything was made to break to of course repair again.. But something thats going to have a long life and if needs to be fixed its something maybe i could do with the help of someone.
blueflamed03
Supporting Member
I see semi low mile 5.3's sell for $800-$1000, the 4L60E will work fine behind that engine, as well as the 6.0
Splatmaster527
Full Access Member
What are the realistic limits on a stock 4L60E as far as HP??
blueflamed03
Supporting Member
basically a mild 5.3 power, I dont think you can come up with a realistic HP number, as there are too many variables.
But you can build a 60e up to handle more power.
But you can build a 60e up to handle more power.
Yukon-ya
Full Access Member
Im looking for at least 400hp if not more but with that # i could go with the new escalade motor. Thats 403 or something right?
---------- Post added at 09:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:54 PM ----------
Is it hard to build a "60e" and do you know how much they run, new or used?
---------- Post added at 09:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:55 PM ----------
I see alot of things about a "65e" Anyone know why they say the "60e" doesnt have reliability?
---------- Post added at 10:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:59 PM ----------
What about a "700R4" Anyone have a thought on this transmission???
---------- Post added at 09:55 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:54 PM ----------
Is it hard to build a "60e" and do you know how much they run, new or used?
---------- Post added at 09:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:55 PM ----------
I see alot of things about a "65e" Anyone know why they say the "60e" doesnt have reliability?
---------- Post added at 10:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:59 PM ----------
What about a "700R4" Anyone have a thought on this transmission???
