Car Craft 5.3 build up --opinions please

[BandAid]

OK since i am not wasting time on the 355 motor that leaks more than a funnel,I found a 5K mile 5.3 motor from a tahoe at a cheap price,,and thinking of Carbing it for now just like what they did here at

325 Chevy Small Block Engine - Bolt On A Cam And Heads And Add 120+HP - Car Craft Magazine

they changed the cam,intake installed a carb and think heads,,I plan on turboing the motor next yr,so might not even install this this yr,,who am i kidding....
but wanted thoughts on what they did and would i be happy with that for a DD ,since i am used to turbo power...if you know what i mean...

 

[Louie L.]

Nothing wrong with that idea. But why not run the factory EFI? I thing you would be happier once tuned.

 

[BandAid]

keeping it budget priced,then i need all the electronics,as of not its a long block..popping a carb on a go sounds so much simpler,,maybe a blow thru carb...thanks for your input

 

[BandAid]

keeping it budget priced,then i need all the electronics,as of now its a long block..popping a carb on and go sounds so much simpler,,maybe a blow thru carb...thanks for your input

 

[ITSNOTAGN]

definately go with a quality CSU blowthrough carb though. The carb/ignition box setups for these motors are awesome. Once you have the carb you just need a hat and turbo and your done, so thats not a problem. My advice, after doing this myself, do a cam, pushrods, and some springs. Build the trans and get a good stall, thats it. Theres no reason to go into that motor with heads and stuff it will make good power N/A and alot with boost. Do the heads when you do the shortblock

 

[BandAid]

definately go with a quality CSU blowthrough carb though. The carb/ignition box setups for these motors are awesome. Once you have the carb you just need a hat and turbo and your done, so thats not a problem. My advice, after doing this myself, do a cam, pushrods, and some springs. Build the trans and get a good stall, thats it. Theres no reason to go into that motor with heads and stuff it will make good power N/A and alot with boost. Do the heads when you do the shortblock

Yes was definately gonna run the CSU carb,are there any tuning issues if i was to use that carb running NA for now..heads are staying on,not changing anythhing there,just cam, springs,and 4L80 trans,or would yo think to use a different trans with out being computer controlled
thanks guys

 

[Louie L.]

Yes was definately gonna run the CSU carb,are there any tuning issues if i was to use that carb running NA for now..heads are staying on,not changing anythhing there,just cam, springs,and 4L80 trans,or would yo think to use a different trans with out being computer controlled
thanks guys

Some thoughts:

Ive had thoughts of just such a project and have looked at all the variants involved in the past.
You will have issues with the blow thru carb if ran in a naturaly aspirated, especially at mid-wot.

Just an observation... last I remember a CSU carb is like 800.00? plus a 300.00 LS1 carb intake. Eventually a carb hat @ 200.00. You will also need the special MSD box to run the ignition with the factory crank shutter wheel.

You could convert to a dizzy , but thats big money also.

Factory ECM and harness could be had for less..

 

[ITSNOTAGN]

agreed, but the carb can be taken care of to make it work. FI while great, when you have nothing its very expensive
fuel rails-89
injectors-375
harness-40
ecm-40
HPTuners-525
2-bar MAP-75
not to mention the fuel system is alot more expensive, a single walbro at 7-8psi flows enough fuel for like 720whp.
It adds up just as fast. The intake/box/harness is 690, plus the CSU carb is around 750, so it evens out, but is alot easier to do by far. I had over a full week into my harness and getting it tied into the GN body with OBD plug and stuff, it sucked. If i do it again i will probably go blowthrough with the adjustable needle valve jet setup.

 

[BandAid]

Anyone know which motor is more prefered,,04-05-06 Tahoe 5.3,they are asking me which i want,I assume the 06 since it will be newer,but all have low miles..thanks D

 

[ITSAV6]

There are a few guys around here that have bought the 6.0 motor out of the 2500 PU for $800-$900 complete.

 

[cabech984]

Anyone know which motor is more prefered,,04-05-06 Tahoe 5.3,they are asking me which i want,I assume the 06 since it will be newer,but all have low miles..thanks D

The newer 5.3's come factory with the 243 heads which are off the 02-04 Z06 Corvettes and the LS2 engines. Id go with the newest in your case though!!

 

[Daniel Jost]

The 5.3 in our truck was very easy had a junkyard harness sent to Speartech Fuel Injection Systems i think it was like $400 to mod, and was all plug and play, used EFI Live to flash the ecm and we were off and running, $500 for the engine from ECM to oil pan off ebay! Plus walbro fuel pump, and some pushloc hose and aeroquip fuel rail quick disconnect fittings plug and play, now some injectors, 2-3 Bar map sensor your ready to make good power, very easy and we use an Innovative wideband for auto VE tuning, truck runs flawless! We are working on a budget turbo setup as we speek.

oh dont forget that just the carb ignition setup will cost you over $700! personally i wouldnt even mess with a carb but to each his own..

,Dan