Is a 5.3 Vortec a Ls1??Need advise for POWER!!!

**Cruel-X** · 08-09-2007, 08:41 PM

Hey everyone, Im a complete noob to Fi Ive played with Carbs my whole life I just got my 03 5.3 and I want to Do sum Major upgrades.. Im nto shure if 5.3 is Ls1??? I was thinking of doing sum major upgrades. I want sum advise on what to do I was thinkin of a Sts turbo kit?? Im completly stock with just a K&n airfilter and hypertech programer ANyone got Advise on wha ti should do?? I want to push about 400-425 Hp I dont wanan drop my trans allthe time n such and I need this to be a reliable truck for on\off road use I work in the woods and travel on Dirt roads Frequintly Any help sould be AWSOME! Also I do not have Diferental locking and i would liek a Lock rear end..

**danziger** · 08-10-2007, 02:56 AM

The 5.3 is in the LSx family as it is a Gen III engine. Many of the tricks used to coax HP out of the 5.7+L engines will also work on your 5.3... I'd look at a MagnaCharger for your truck.

**RJWZ28** · 08-10-2007, 05:47 AM

http://www.ststurbo.com

**jkade72** · 08-15-2007, 05:11 AM

I have a 4.8 that is at the machine shop being bored to a 5.7, you could do that for some power.

**RJWZ28** · 08-15-2007, 06:39 AM

Guy on STS site swears by a 4.8 with the STS kit.

**Mr. Luos** · 08-15-2007, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by RJWZ28

http://www.ststurbo.com

No thanks.

If you want a turbo...put it up front.

**Raven02ta** · 08-15-2007, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

No thanks.

If you want a turbo...put it up front.

like he said.... i could give you a whole list of problems with the STS system as we have used it on several cars at my shop and all are piss poor designed systems.

and yes the 5.3 is an LS1 based design. but just less cubes.

**RJWZ28** · 08-16-2007, 05:45 AM

I'm listening.

**Mr. Luos** · 08-16-2007, 07:43 AM

Some have oiling issues.
Some have boost leak issues.
More lag because of the distance.

It just isn't the right place for a turbo.

**Twistingreality** · 08-16-2007, 07:57 AM

My friend has an 03 5.3. He has several mods. Im not to specific on what all he has done but a brief overview is this. Long tubes, 4 in exhaust, bigger fuel injectors, ATI procharger, and dyno tune from Ed Wright at fast chip. Dyno numbers where 400rwhp, and 410 ft lb tq.

**Raven02ta** · 08-16-2007, 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by RJWZ28

I'm listening.

The STS is junk system..... a good idea but poorly designed to hold power (mainly in the pipe routing, and oil feed and return lines). we put together a 408ci 98 formula for a friend and i have proven personally that a STS system just wont produce the 1000hp with all of the flexible parts that are needed for the charge pipes, (under the Kmember and the rear control arms). at 16psi we blew them out from under the car on every pass and dyno pull (i even ran over the pipe at the track because it blew off). we made 817 rwhp on 16 psi and couldnt go any higher in boost because of the pipes blowing off..... we built the motor to handle 22+ psi.

on several occasions the oil return line got kinked and here is why being that the oil return line needs flexiblility we routed it the best way possible (up the drive shaft tunnel and then to the oil return cap, as STS specified) when this line kinks, it back feeds oil into the turbo and then starts to pour out of the tail pipe also pouring out all the motor oil from your engine since thats where it comes from (your oil pan, when there is no more oil think of what will happen in a matter of seconds). the line often kinks under WOT because of the engine movement the lines get kinked between the back of the motor/as well as at the top of the bell housing and the firewall/floor pan.

until i put that car together i wanted an STS..... now if i ever go power adder ill stick with a tried and true power adder, either a Procharger D1sc or a TTI front mount turbo street kit, or APS' new TT set up.

**RJWZ28** · 08-17-2007, 05:42 AM

That sucks! So is there a way to improve the kit, maybe better lines and fittings, to clear the 1000 horsepower mark?

**Raven02ta** · 08-17-2007, 12:48 PM

short of welding it all together as one piece..... no. and the system needs to have pieces easily removable.

**RJWZ28** · 08-18-2007, 07:00 AM

Sorry, but APS doesn't have an LT1 kit. And a customized rear-mount turbo system is a fundamental part of my build. I need to make it work. Please try to help me if you can by point out all of the problems with the system and any advice so I can plan my solutions to the problems before I start tearing into the car this winter.