Building My First LS Motor... Looking For Opinions

Slow05CC

Slow05CC

Avery@texas-speed.com
Apr 25, 2014
168
0
0
Round Rock, Tx.
Some of you know I bought a LS1 long block and was looking at rebuilding it for my 2005 Silvy CCSB. After doing some reading and research I decided to get rid of it. I traded the block and crank for a 2002 5.3 block and crank, so I still have all the LS1 pistons and stuff.

I have built many ford engines 302/351 and stroker 5.0s ( 331 & 347 ), and one old 350 SBC. This is my first LS build and I cant wait to dig into it!

My build plans follow. Looking for advice and/or opinions, or simply a pat on the back for a well designed build!

Texas Speed is a 5 minute bike ride from my house so I will most likely get most of the stuff I need from there.

Block:
Hot tanked
New cam bearings
Sonic test - Providing the block checks out and there is plenty of meat in the cylinders bored to 3.898
LS1 Flat top pistons a
LS1 Rods
Crank looks to be in perfect condition but ill have it checked out
Rods and pistons look good too but ill have them looked at too
King bearings
OE Gaskets
MLS Head gaskets

Heads:
243/799 heads
Milled .030
Valve job 5 angle
TSP Double valve spring kit

Intake:
TBSS/NNBS
TBSS/NBSS Throttle Body
DR.X - X-Link
NNBS Flex Fuel Injectors ( Told they are 36lbs )
Racetronic EV1-EV6 connector swap

Cam:
Most likely going to get a PATG custom grind

Other:
TSP pushrods
OE Rockers with trunion upgrade
LS2 Timing gear and chain
Melling HF Oil Pump
ARP Bolts through out

That about sums up the build, that I can think of anyway! I am not professional builder nor do I claim to be. I just kind of put this together off reading a lot of different threads about builds. I really want to do an iron 5.7 but if the block will not go that far I may just hone it and run factory 4.8 flat top pistons. Really hoping for the 5.7 though. I am open to suggestions and input on this build. Once all said and done it will end up in my NBS CCSB. It is no track truck, or race truck, but I do enjoy having power on tap, and having a fun truck to drive everyday. Not looking to go crazy and make unrealistic numbers, but I would like a good healthy, solid running motor that makes good power!
 
bgray said:
looks like you covered it pretty well. Alot of good parts on the rack there. I pressure your building a tranny for behind it?
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My trans should be done before I finish the motor build. Id like to install them together :lol:

Guess the g80 is going to shit once it actually gets some power
 
you have it well planned out but I'd personally spring for an lq4 or lq9 if possible. i've had a bolt on/cammed 5.3l and then a bolt on/cammed 6.0l and the difference was quite a bit and well worth the extra $1k i spent. an lq9 with 799 or 243 heads would net you some higher compression, milled will be even higher. be careful with piston/valve clearance though. also a TBSS intake will net more gains on a 6.0l. i also got everything through texas speed. good prices and good people to deal with.
 
Jake747 said:
What stall or M5?
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Circle D 3000/3200. Right now I have a mild built 60E, but the 60E that will go behind this build will be pretty stout!

bgray said:
MY g80 is holding great beind my 5.3 with 10bs of boost and a flt level 7 4l65e
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That is good to know. I often think of building the rear end but im hoping I can get a few months out of it before that happens

Fiesty said:
you have it well planned out but I'd personally spring for an lq4 or lq9 if possible. i've had a bolt on/cammed 5.3l and then a bolt on/cammed 6.0l and the difference was quite a bit and well worth the extra $1k i spent. an lq9 with 799 or 243 heads would net you some higher compression, milled will be even higher. be careful with piston/valve clearance though. also a TBSS intake will net more gains on a 6.0l. i also got everything through texas speed. good prices and good people to deal with.
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I went rounds and rounds over the 5.3 or 6.0. Then bought a LS1 from a 98 Vette! I wasn't all that excited about it after I found out its not a very desirable block! The early LS1's I guess weren't that awesome and the oiling kind of sucked. It also had some surface rust in the cylinders and I read those blocks couldn't handle much more then a hone... Anyway, I traded it for a 5.3 iron block... LQx around these parts are really expensive for what they are! you can almost buy a totaled HD truck for for about the same cost as a LQx long block... So I decided to go with the 5.3 and punch it out. For one reason, no one will know its a 5.7 because its a 4.8/5.3 block, and no one really needs to know hah. I like the fact that hidden in the lm7 is a iron LS1... If this build goes well, I am sure I will get a 6.0 down the road!

But you are right! the LQx will destroy the 4.8/5.3 if it were build mod for mod!
 
Do you plan to tow with it? If not, I would definitely move up in your stall. I've daily driven my Yank 3600 for years with no issues at all. A lot of people see 3600 and flip out but in reality you want your stall at your peak TQ.

I have the original bare LS2 block sitting in my garage I'd be willing to sell if you change your mind.
 
Before i went to a T56 mangum, my one truck has a built trans with a 4000k circle d triple disc. With a quality converter the driveability is much better, even tho its a 4k stall
 
Jake747 said:
Do you plan to tow with it? If not, I would definitely move up in your stall. I've daily driven my Yank 3600 for years with no issues at all. A lot of people see 3600 and flip out but in reality you want your stall at your peak TQ.

I have the original bare LS2 block sitting in my garage I'd be willing to sell if you change your mind.
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I don't tow a lot! I'm not scared of going higher with the stall but I feel like my 4.30 gears kind of make up for the lower stall speed. My truck as it sits is ton of fun right now, I just want a bit more power!

bgray said:
Before i went to a T56 mangum, my one truck has a built trans with a 4000k circle d triple disc. With a quality converter the driveability is much better, even tho its a 4k stall
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I'd consider a 3600, but typically wouldn't look at a 4000 haha! Maybe once I get a scsb I can do a ls2 with a 4000 stall! Somewhere down the road I want a LS2/3 truck... One day!
 
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