New and need help

[vhtt]

New here, can't seem to find the newbie section. I'm building a 51 chevy truck and would like to go LS power. I want this thing to run pretty good and will go with a intake and carb. What kinda power could I expect from a 5.3 with a stk bottom end? Is the 799 head the 1 to use on this with a decent cam? Or should I just go with the 6.0? Any advice would be appreciated, the LS is new to me. My 72 chevelle has a 434, motown block, dart heads and a mech roller. Great site, good to be a part of it.

[2002ssslp]

The new member forum is under "Forum". If you can afford and find a used 6.0 I would go with that or a 5.7 LS1. A carbed 5.3L with a cam headers, 799 stock heads and a good intake should get you 375 hp or so. Hard to tell wo specs. Welcome to the site

[98TransAmWs-6]

Another option is to buy an iron 4.8/5.3 block and have it bored out to 5.7 specs. They are a lot cheaper than 5.7 and 6.0 blocks. I have seen them go for as low as $100, the 4.8 and 5.3 blocks that is.

[SMWS6TA]

I wouldn't bore a 5.3 or a 5.7 out. I'd only consider using iron blocks like the 6.0's. The 5.3's & 5.7's have such tight & minimal sleeves that IIRC you can only hone 0.010" anymore and you're looking at an expensive fail.

OP - it comes down to how much power & budget you can afford.

I've seen boosted 5.3's that scream.

There are several of us on here that are in different stages of engine builds and we I know will help get you started.

Myself & Will (98TransAmWs-6) are, Jodi just finished her's using my same build (6.0 with Polluter Stg 3 CAM). Jeremy is almost done with his beast Frankenbird thread in Firebird/WS6 section. We also have a guy on here putting a LS1 into am 80's Porsche :mell:


My build thread is in my signature, currently the block is still at the machine shop (hopefully soon I have it back)



Best advice I can give is look around and check out what we have to offer, research the hell out of this and make a plan before you spend a dime.

It will save you time, money and a hell of a lot of frustration. I went back and forth over what cam to get for 6 months.

[98TransAmWs-6]

I wouldn't bore a 5.3 or a 5.7 out. I'd only consider using iron blocks like the 6.0's. The 5.3's & 5.7's have such tight & minimal sleeves that IIRC you can only hone 0.010" anymore and you're looking at an expensive fail.

OP - it comes down to how much power & budget you can afford.

I've seen boosted 5.3's that scream.

There are several of us on here that are in different stages of engine builds and we I know will help get you started.

Myself & Will (98TransAmWs-6) are, Jodi just finished her's using my same build (6.0 with Polluter Stg 3 CAM). Jeremy is almost done with his beast Frankenbird thread in Firebird/WS6 section. We also have a guy on here putting a LS1 into am 80's Porsche :mell:


My build thread is in my signature, currently the block is still at the machine shop (hopefully soon I have it back)



Best advice I can give is look around and check out what we have to offer, research the hell out of this and make a plan before you spend a dime.

It will save you time, money and a hell of a lot of frustration. I went back and forth over what cam to get for 6 months.

Solid advice.

[SMWS6TA]

also when you can post some pics of the 51'


Love those trucks, plenty of room for anything....