383 or 5.3????????? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**americanmusc1e** · 05-14-2009, 09:55 PM

OK, I'm trying to make a decision here, my vortec-headed 350 lost oil pressure and needs a rebuild. the motor and heads had less than 7000 miles on them

I'm considering 2 options:

keep the vortecs and build a 383 short block with good rods and/or forged pistons, and a bigger cam.--aprox 400 hp

or

I think I can do a 5.3 swap for about the same price as the 383 short block i'm planning if i sell the heads, manifold and distibuter.--aprox 300 hp

the reason I'm considering the 5.3 swap is that its a daily driver and the Fuel Injection would be really nice. Eventually I'd mod the 5.3 to get more power. but for right now it would be stock.

opinions please.

Sicmaro · 05-14-2009, 10:14 PM

5.3l

ej69c10 · 05-14-2009, 10:18 PM

383

mjensen · 05-14-2009, 10:45 PM

I would do a 5.3, but then again I am a computer geek so that would be fun to me.

ap2002 · 05-14-2009, 10:56 PM

cant go wrong with a 5.3!

67ChevyRedneck · 05-14-2009, 11:06 PM

I've never really cared for high HP motors in trucks, especially drivers. I can definitely appreciate a fast truck, but they're not really for me. Definitely 5.3, especially since you already have the 700R. Can you buy a harness for a 5.3 w/ 700R or does it have to be a 4l60E?

07SSSC · 05-14-2009, 11:07 PM

I have a 383 in my 69, while it is fun (especially in today's rain hehe), the money I've sunk in it over the course of 2 rebuilds in 3 years coulda gone a lot further towards something better. Could have a nice LS crate at this point, an LS based anything would be much more worth that amount of coin then a 383 in my opinion. Granted my 383 had issues from day one that has brought me to this opinion but I had to have a 383. Gotta love hindsight.

Camper Power · 05-14-2009, 11:26 PM

5.3s are great engines, good milage and decent horsepower. but if your in a big rush to get the truck runnin again the 383 is basicly a drop in thing. but if you want the horsepower with decent milage spend a few hundred bucks more for a 6.0L.

**americanmusc1e** · 05-14-2009, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

I've never really cared for high HP motors in trucks, especially drivers. I can definitely appreciate a fast truck, but they're not really for me. Definitely 5.3, especially since you already have the 700R. Can you buy a harness for a 5.3 w/ 700R or does it have to be a 4l60E?

the 700r4 I have is non-electronic, to make it work with the 5.3 I'd have to use a DBC (Drive By Cable) throttle and hook a TV cable to it. I assume that I'd use a harness and a computer simular to a manual transmission

**americanmusc1e** · 05-14-2009, 11:56 PM

here is what concerns me about the 5.3

My old vortec headed 350 with 260High Energy cam

the vortec headed 383 with a 268 Extreme energy cam

the stock 5.3

this is desktop dyno so I expect the HP/TQ figures are a little exaderated but look at the torque of the 350 and the 383 compared to the 5.3, I know the fuel injection will make up for some of it, but I'm still a little worried that this will be like driving a weak 305,
it wouldn't be so bad if it werent' for the 3.08 gears, which, when I get the money, I'm changing out the 3.73's

67ChevyRedneck · 05-15-2009, 12:02 AM

My 2000 5.3L Z71 is drive by cable. Not sure which year GM went to drive by wire. I think '03.

leos11104 · 05-15-2009, 12:08 AM

i would save some extra and do a 6.0

Ackattack · 05-15-2009, 12:18 AM

5.3L all the way.

My '05 silverado crew cab with 3.42 gears would run circles around my old 97 tahoe with vortec 350 and 3.73 gears

The LSx engines have so much potential. Just a cam swap will get you a long ways.

jim zag · 05-15-2009, 05:45 AM

383. I love the way my truck drives. That cam you picked is just perfect. Lots of TORQUE!!!!!! The VORTEC heads make good power and you already have most of the STUFF you need.

killer71 · 05-15-2009, 07:48 AM

5.3 gets my vote. Killer hat 3.08's and it was awesome...had plenty of power from take off and out on the hi-way....it was a perfect combo for a daily driver...you'll definit. be surprised..

big_al_71 · 05-15-2009, 09:14 AM

For a weekend vehicle I would build the a serious power house but for a daily driver I would just put a nice stock pretty motor. I do not know anything about the new technology with computers and what not so I will have to vote 383 mainly because lack of knowledge..

jmuck · 05-15-2009, 09:29 AM

The 5.3 will definately have enough hp. If your engine is drive by wire and you want to change it to cable you can just swap out your throttle body or change the peddle to make it a dbw. The only concern you want to check into is the 700r4 b/c I had one attached to my 5.3 and never could get it to shift right. The tranny man said it never would. There isn't a spot for the dt cable and I fabricated one but it never shifted like a 4l60. After I put in the 4l60 mine shifts like a new truck and and gets over 20mpg. The 5.3 is definately the way to go.

pooz911 · 05-15-2009, 10:59 AM

My vote is with the 383.... high torque and low rpms.

**bigsnookmaster** · 05-15-2009, 12:12 PM

I'd go with a 383 with fuel injection.My .02

07SSSC · 05-15-2009, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnookmaster

I'd go with a 383 with fuel injection.My .02

Ooh, theres the best of both. I'd love to put fi on my 383 but can't afford it. The instant throttle response with all that low torque would be fun. Definitely something else to consider op.

C20-67_N_MO · 05-15-2009, 01:11 PM

If I had the means to swap out my L6 would have to go with the 5.3L just think it would be a great setup.

brad_man_72 · 05-15-2009, 01:42 PM

did you really say the 5.3's 300 ftlbs of tq at 2000 rpm would be like driving a weak 305?

5.3 gets my vote, cant wait to get mine done. its hard to beat 300 hp and 20 mpg in a truck. plus mods are awesome over 400hp with headers cam and tune alone.

**americanmusc1e** · 05-15-2009, 03:19 PM

alright, I'm leaning toward the 5.3.

a 6.0 would be really nice, but does anyone know where i can get one for less than $1000 shipped???????????????????????

I'm really ready to get back in my truck.

**americanmusc1e** · 05-15-2009, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsnookmaster

I'd go with a 383 with fuel injection.My .02

Might as well go with a ramjet 502

-- I'd love to, but I'm a little broke right now

**americanmusc1e** · 05-15-2009, 06:38 PM

found a 6.0 for $775 shipped, good deal???

05-14-2009, 09:55 PM	#1
americanmusc1e Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,079	383 or 5.3????????? OK, I'm trying to make a decision here, my vortec-headed 350 lost oil pressure and needs a rebuild. the motor and heads had less than 7000 miles on them I'm considering 2 options: keep the vortecs and build a 383 short block with good rods and/or forged pistons, and a bigger cam.--aprox 400 hp or I think I can do a 5.3 swap for about the same price as the 383 short block i'm planning if i sell the heads, manifold and distibuter.--aprox 300 hp the reason I'm considering the 5.3 swap is that its a daily driver and the Fuel Injection would be really nice. Eventually I'd mod the 5.3 to get more power. but for right now it would be stock. opinions please. __________________ -- Josh Instagram: @americanmusc1e OLD SKOOL-- 1970 C10. 454/Th400/3.07 posi Build Thread FARM TRUCK----1949 Chevrolet 3800 Power Wagon Hauler Build Thread 1999 4wd OBS Tahoe - daily. DM me if you can't see photos i posted

05-14-2009, 10:14 PM	#2
Sicmaro Always wrenching!! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 301	Re: 383 or 5.3????????? 5.3l __________________ 71 C-10 5.3L/4L60E 72 Camaro LS6/4L60E 06 Duramax 19 RZR XP4 turbo Dynamix 56 Belair 5.3/4L60E swap in progress

05-14-2009, 10:18 PM	#3
ej69c10 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pace, FL Posts: 28	Re: 383 or 5.3????????? 383

05-14-2009, 10:45 PM	#4
mjensen Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Utah Posts: 1,562	Re: 383 or 5.3????????? I would do a 5.3, but then again I am a computer geek so that would be fun to me. __________________ Mike '69 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 Build Thread

05-14-2009, 10:56 PM	#5
ap2002 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 247	Re: 383 or 5.3????????? cant go wrong with a 5.3! __________________ 1971 C-10 SWB - LS swap w/4L60e, 20x8.5front 20x12rear, 1968 C-10 SWB - 454 BB TH350 -Gone!

05-14-2009, 11:06 PM	#6
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: 383 or 5.3????????? I've never really cared for high HP motors in trucks, especially drivers. I can definitely appreciate a fast truck, but they're not really for me. Definitely 5.3, especially since you already have the 700R. Can you buy a harness for a 5.3 w/ 700R or does it have to be a 4l60E? __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

05-14-2009, 11:07 PM	#7
07SSSC Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Buhl, ID Posts: 288	Re: 383 or 5.3????????? I have a 383 in my 69, while it is fun (especially in today's rain hehe), the money I've sunk in it over the course of 2 rebuilds in 3 years coulda gone a lot further towards something better. Could have a nice LS crate at this point, an LS based anything would be much more worth that amount of coin then a 383 in my opinion. Granted my 383 had issues from day one that has brought me to this opinion but I had to have a 383. Gotta love hindsight. __________________ '69 Chevy C/10-under reconstruction -- '68 C20 Camper 50th Anniversary-runs, but sorely needs a resto -- '07 Cobalt SS/SC-very fun DD -- '93 Chevy K2500-LQ4/4L80E swap -- '84 Trans Am-awaiting (LS) drivetrain -- '00 Trans Am-road tripper -- '06 Z06-577 WHP beast

05-14-2009, 11:26 PM	#8
Camper Power Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Grande Prairie Alberta Posts: 261	Re: 383 or 5.3????????? 5.3s are great engines, good milage and decent horsepower. but if your in a big rush to get the truck runnin again the 383 is basicly a drop in thing. but if you want the horsepower with decent milage spend a few hundred bucks more for a 6.0L. __________________ eh 1970 Chevy C20 daily driver 1975 GMC Jimmy 4x4 project 1966 GMC C10 Dad's project Last edited by Camper Power; 05-14-2009 at 11:27 PM.

05-14-2009, 11:56 PM	#10
americanmusc1e Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,079	Re: 383 or 5.3????????? here is what concerns me about the 5.3 My old vortec headed 350 with 260High Energy cam the vortec headed 383 with a 268 Extreme energy cam the stock 5.3 this is desktop dyno so I expect the HP/TQ figures are a little exaderated but look at the torque of the 350 and the 383 compared to the 5.3, I know the fuel injection will make up for some of it, but I'm still a little worried that this will be like driving a weak 305, it wouldn't be so bad if it werent' for the 3.08 gears, which, when I get the money, I'm changing out the 3.73's __________________ -- Josh Instagram: @americanmusc1e OLD SKOOL-- 1970 C10. 454/Th400/3.07 posi Build Thread FARM TRUCK----1949 Chevrolet 3800 Power Wagon Hauler Build Thread 1999 4wd OBS Tahoe - daily. DM me if you can't see photos i posted

05-15-2009, 12:02 AM	#11
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: 383 or 5.3????????? My 2000 5.3L Z71 is drive by cable. Not sure which year GM went to drive by wire. I think '03. __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications! Last edited by 67ChevyRedneck; 05-15-2009 at 12:03 AM.

05-15-2009, 12:08 AM	#12
leos11104 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: colorado Posts: 66	Re: 383 or 5.3????????? i would save some extra and do a 6.0

05-15-2009, 12:18 AM	#13
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,525	Re: 383 or 5.3????????? 5.3L all the way. My '05 silverado crew cab with 3.42 gears would run circles around my old 97 tahoe with vortec 350 and 3.73 gears The LSx engines have so much potential. Just a cam swap will get you a long ways. __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index

05-15-2009, 05:45 AM	#14
jim zag ENGINE BUILDER Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Shortsville n.y. Posts: 344	Re: 383 or 5.3????????? 383. I love the way my truck drives. That cam you picked is just perfect. Lots of TORQUE!!!!!! The VORTEC heads make good power and you already have most of the STUFF you need. __________________ JIM ZAG

05-15-2009, 07:48 AM	#15
killer71 Registered User Join Date: May 2006 Location: at work Posts: 2,552	Re: 383 or 5.3????????? 5.3 gets my vote. Killer hat 3.08's and it was awesome...had plenty of power from take off and out on the hi-way....it was a perfect combo for a daily driver...you'll definit. be surprised.. __________________ R.I.P. Killer 71 10/26/07

05-15-2009, 09:14 AM	#16
big_al_71 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 11,375	Re: 383 or 5.3????????? For a weekend vehicle I would build the a serious power house but for a daily driver I would just put a nice stock pretty motor. I do not know anything about the new technology with computers and what not so I will have to vote 383 mainly because lack of knowledge.. __________________ Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please!!!!!. Sylvester's build thread >>>http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...ht=big+rebuild



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05-15-2009, 09:29 AM	#17
jmuck Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Nacogdoches, Tx Posts: 167	Re: 383 or 5.3????????? The 5.3 will definately have enough hp. If your engine is drive by wire and you want to change it to cable you can just swap out your throttle body or change the peddle to make it a dbw. The only concern you want to check into is the 700r4 b/c I had one attached to my 5.3 and never could get it to shift right. The tranny man said it never would. There isn't a spot for the dt cable and I fabricated one but it never shifted like a 4l60. After I put in the 4l60 mine shifts like a new truck and and gets over 20mpg. The 5.3 is definately the way to go.

05-15-2009, 10:59 AM	#18
pooz911 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Simi Valley Posts: 145	Re: 383 or 5.3????????? My vote is with the 383.... high torque and low rpms. __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/pooz911

05-15-2009, 12:12 PM	#19
bigsnookmaster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: St.Petersburg,Fl Posts: 1,270	Re: 383 or 5.3????????? I'd go with a 383 with fuel injection.My .02 __________________ greg http://community.webshots.com/user/68406Stepside

05-15-2009, 01:11 PM	#21
C20-67_N_MO Champagne Taste on Beer Budget Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: High Ridge, Missouri Posts: 2,190	Re: 383 or 5.3????????? If I had the means to swap out my L6 would have to go with the 5.3L just think it would be a great setup. __________________ Coming Soon: Project 1970 Country Truck

05-15-2009, 01:42 PM	#22
brad_man_72 the boat guy Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: springfield mo Posts: 2,339	Re: 383 or 5.3????????? did you really say the 5.3's 300 ftlbs of tq at 2000 rpm would be like driving a weak 305? 5.3 gets my vote, cant wait to get mine done. its hard to beat 300 hp and 20 mpg in a truck. plus mods are awesome over 400hp with headers cam and tune alone. __________________ 67, swb, fleet, tach, throttle, 5.3, 4l60e, 3.73's, fuel cell, 5 lug, p.d.b., 4-6 drop. great little truck 66, stevens drag/ski 18' silouette, 350, 2.02 doublehump heads. comp extreme marine 278 cam, vette 7 fin valve covers, old polished edelbrock intake, velvetdrive, casale v-drive, adj cavitation plate. 28, model a rpu project,

05-15-2009, 03:19 PM	#23
americanmusc1e Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,079	Re: 383 or 5.3????????? alright, I'm leaning toward the 5.3. a 6.0 would be really nice, but does anyone know where i can get one for less than $1000 shipped??????????????????????? I'm really ready to get back in my truck. __________________ -- Josh Instagram: @americanmusc1e OLD SKOOL-- 1970 C10. 454/Th400/3.07 posi Build Thread FARM TRUCK----1949 Chevrolet 3800 Power Wagon Hauler Build Thread 1999 4wd OBS Tahoe - daily. DM me if you can't see photos i posted

05-15-2009, 06:38 PM	#25
americanmusc1e Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,079	Re: 383 or 5.3????????? found a 6.0 for $775 shipped, good deal??? __________________ -- Josh Instagram: @americanmusc1e OLD SKOOL-- 1970 C10. 454/Th400/3.07 posi Build Thread FARM TRUCK----1949 Chevrolet 3800 Power Wagon Hauler Build Thread 1999 4wd OBS Tahoe - daily. DM me if you can't see photos i posted

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