Man there is a ton of mis-information floating around in here!
2005+ rule does NOT only apply to the LQ4. All 2005 and up came with different hardware for the rotating assy., larger/stronger rods and floating pistons. A few 2004 model engines had these upgrades as well. The Alum L33 motors and a few escalade engines.
This is a 5.3 2005+ rod/piston on the right vs the 98-2004 rod/piston on the left.
Replacing the OEM rotating assy hardware with aftermarket hardware isn’t necessary… Massive waste of money IMO. The pistons/rods themselves will give out well before the hardware. Installing aftermarket hardware can egg the rods and cause all kinds of problems. Some get lucky….
The rod bolts are NOT the “weak point”. Don’t rev the motors over 6500rpm and the OEM hardware has been proven to 1000+crank HP range many times. I run a 2001 5.3 motor with the “weak” rods and all original hardware. The $220 motor ran 100+ low 9 second passes this year with a quite a few street miles and ended the year with an 8.93 @153 at 25.8lbs of boost. Next pass something finally gave out… can’t tell what that was at this point. I’ll bet money it wasn’t a rod bolt! My moneys on the thrust bearing. Since I launched this thing at 24lbs of boost.
I also cool my 5.3 engine very easily with a “smallish” $90 ebay fork lift radiator. I believe the core is 17x17x3.5. I use a single shrouded ford Taurus fan. Even on 100+ degree days coolant never went over 210* in traffic.
Lastly if your hotside is 2.5", you may want to reconsider. 2.5" piping will support roughly 2400 crank hp with a typical V8 turbo build. Larger piping just slows exhaust gas velocity. It will make the car spool poorly compared to what it could. 2” piping is good to 1000ish crank hp. If you don’t plan on exceeding that, I’d suggest dropping your hotside size down. I ran 2.5" and wish I would have done a little research first. Plan to re-do it this winter.
Good luck, project looks fun!