Budget LS/ S10 footbrake project

[hotrod 80]

Bought this today 89' S10 set up for an LS . It will get a junkyard 5.3 and th350 and a loose converter . This one will be a back up /trainer for the wife .

[Marv D]

That is going to be a fun project!!!!

[Super73]

I see a 12 second truck in the making.
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[hotrod 80]

Need pointers on 5.3 power tricks as ive never meesed with thee LS engine at all . Key word budget

[Super73]

Is it going to be stock computer or carb with msd box?
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[shortbed70]

That's going to be a runner!!! I woul love to have one for my ls
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[hotrod 80]

Originally Posted by Super73

Is it going to be stock computer or carb with msd box?
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At this point carb and MSD box . Looking at a 5.3 with a cam swap or a 5.7 LS1 with a cam . something like 224/230 over whatever on a 110 and up .

Originally Posted by shortbed70

That's going to be a runner!!! I woul love to have one for my ls
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This is my first LS motor . I originally wanted to do a newer model with full fuel injection and a/c more as a street driver , but this thing popped up.

[BR3W CITY]

Its all pretty straight forward with the ls motors, they just do a nice job of making power with some sense of economy.

The z06 takeout cams are popular used for a budget upgrade. Trailblazer SS exhaust manifolds fit easily into almost anything, if you run into a problem finding a header or manifold you like.

[Super73]

What RPM are you willing to spin the stock bottom end to?

Why are you limiting yourself on the cam? a 224 or 230 is pretty small for a 5.7 if you go there. I would probably put a mid/high 230 in the 5.3 and a high230/low 240 in the 5.7.

I had set up my first cam to peak where a stock Z06 did, but it had much more bottom end and power through the full curve. It was a 223/228 106/106 with .58x lift on both lobes.

I'd love to help you figure out a cam based on your RPM you are willing to spin. I am assuming you are going to run a converter at peak TQ to get the best 60' you can?

[hotrod 80]

Originally Posted by Super73

What RPM are you willing to spin the stock bottom end to?

6500-7000

Why are you limiting yourself on the cam? a 224 or 230 is pretty small for a 5.7 if you go there. I would probably put a mid/high 230 in the 5.3 and a high230/low 240 in the 5.7.

good info

I had set up my first cam to peak where a stock Z06 did, but it had much more bottom end and power through the full curve. It was a 223/228 106/106 with .58x lift on both lobes.

I was thinking something like this . Converter i have is a 4000 ish. At this point straight race truck

I'd love to help you figure out a cam based on your RPM you are willing to spin. I am assuming you are going to run a converter at peak TQ to get the best 60' you can?

I will turn it up , but this is what i have to work with . 26 x 8.5 slick , 3.90 spool , th350 , 4000 ish stall , Truck already has bbk shorty headers with 2.5" to a single 3" pipe . Stock tank and pump with Mallory regulator . Homemade caltracs with stock leafs . This set up went 6.40's with a 6.0 and spray

[Super73]

A stock bottom won't live long spinning 6,600+ but a set of rod bolts before the motor goes in would make me sleep a bit better. With that said, figure out what motor you are going to run and I will give my advice on a cam.
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[hotrod 80]

The single plane intake shows it makes power from 3500-7500 RPM , so i'll probably go with the dual plane intake which shows 1500-6500 RPM

[hotrod 80]

Powerglide it is with 4100 converter . Being freshend now . 5.3 im looking at is 187K for $299 . Looking at craigslist LS1 cam at this point trying to stay on budget of 5K.
$2800 for truck
$700 for stock case 1.76 glide with brake and turbo spline and converter from Yellow truck ( 25 passes )
26 x8.5 hoosiers i had stacked in the corner
$200 for new windsheild with seals and plastic clips to fix door windows
It also needs 2 mirrors which i will junkyard source . Also the fuel tank is bad . This will also be a junk yard source . I plan to fuel it with the 2.2 factory fuel pump with a return style regulator . This project really has me pumped .

[tinydb84]

I dont think the LS1 cam is different enough to justify the change and you can probably find the 5.3 for cheaper than that. There was one on Craigslist over here with 40k for $500.

[hotrod 80]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

I dont think the LS1 cam is different enough to justify the change and you can probably find the 5.3 for cheaper than that. There was one on Craigslist over here with 40k for $500.

Not down here . I cant find anything under 100K at all . I would like a 6.0 or LS1 . I am working on a LS 1 for 400 .

[tinydb84]

Check eBay. If your willing to do a 4.8/5.3 you can get a much better price than a 6.0/ls1
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[hotrod 80]

Originally Posted by tinydb84

Check eBay. If your willing to do a 4.8/5.3 you can get a much better price than a 6.0/ls1
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LKQ here in Houston has the 5.3's for $274 to around $650 depending on miles .

[Super73]

As ar as stock block go, it looks like this. Simply due to bore size helping to unshrouded the valve.

Good power - better power - even better power - best power
5.3 -------------- 5.7 ---------------- 6.0 ------------- 6.2
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[hotrod 80]

Originally Posted by Super73

As ar as stock block go, it looks like this. Simply due to bore size helping to unshrouded the valve.

Good power - better power - even better power - best power
5.3 -------------- 5.7 ---------------- 6.0 ------------- 6.2
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OK , thanks more good info .

[shortbed70]

I bought my 5.3 out of a truck for $200 with 200k complete minus a few bolt ons. Check out I think it was car craft tht did an ls cam comparison in a 5.3. Ls1-ls7 cams and a few aftermarket and where they made power.. I seen it on ls forum!
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[Super73]

Yes, this months car craft they tested like 9 stock GM cams and then 3 crane cams. I just think a custom grind would be a better choice, might cost a little more, but will compliment the decided combo more.
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