Single turbo 5.3 LM7 Vortec 5300

[The Don]

Me and "ITSNOTAGN" were discussing tubo v8s and i would like to build a non intercooled single turbo 5.3 LM7 Vortec 5300. These motors are more affordable than their bigger 6 litre counter part, but are they as stout structurally? I'm not looking to get too crazy. I would like a really reliable daily driver that I can occasionally take to the track and crack out some good times. I'm thinking somewhere around 10-13psi until I go intercooled. I would like a Single turbo LM7 to vaguely resemble a original TR engine bay(to the untrained eye). I'm not sure as to what tranny I should use, but I definatly want OD. I spoke with a tech from S&P performance and he said to go with the 4l60e. For wireharness some said speartech but I spoke with a tech from lt1350.com, and they had this to say...
"Our wiring harnesses interface with the existing vehicle's harness, so that everything from dashboard gauges to air conditioning functions as though it were factory. We offer complete gm wiring harness modifications on all gm performance engines from 1980 to 2007. We can take your existing harness and convert it to a 4-5 wire run harness. This includes installation of new fuel pump relay and high current waterproof cooling fan relay, data link connector, vats bypass and delete emissions if applicable, or complete California Emissions compliant and make it a complete no codes run, for about $300!"

I would like to go with dual 3 inch exhaust from torque tech. What do you recommed as far as downpipes. I inquired about a custom exhaust manifold @ with this weld shop. Make custom roll cages and stuff like that and he said to get a set of block hugger headers and then he can modify it so i can adapt a turbo to it. The headers I found that are ls1 gbodys are made by "schoenfeld headers" for $260ish. I was also goin to fab up a 2 1/2 cross over go. I would also need to retain a/c and powersteering. Do you know anyone who makes acessory brackets? I would like to keep as much of the oem components as possible. Any recommendations on what year make and model truck i should pull my drivetrain from?

Also whats all this i hear about turning the exhaust manifolds backwards and up instead of buying headers? I would be very interested in something like this. I'm really not trying to spend crazy money on this car. Like I said for right now i would like a quick daily driver. If I flippped the manifolds does any one have any recommmendations about how would i mount the turbo, down pipe and connect the cross over pipe without having a whole lotta pipes all over the top of my engine bay?

[John Wilde]

TTT for the Don, it sounds like an interesting project.
Let me see what we can do to help you.

[rking]

Lets see if I can help you with a couple of things.

First, as for how strong those engines are, the block and crank have already been proven to 1000 horsepower, so no worries there on strength. A lot of people just do a piston and rod upgrade, but for what you want, that wont be necessary.

I have built a 5.3L before, and they are great, cause there are a ton of parts available since the 5.3, 5.7, and 6.0 are all the same platform, only difference is bore and heads. Accessory brackets are interchangeable for the different configurations. The intakes can be swapped from the truck to the car style. Everything is the same.

Here is a link that might help you with some questions.
LS-1 into a Grand National

As for using the stock truck manifolds, a lot of guys turn the manifolds backwards to run the hot parts in front of the engine to mount the turbo. This will obviously not look like the stock TR engine bay then, and I dont know what accessories you will still be able to run by doing that. Check out ls1tech.com and look under the forced induction section, that will help you quite a bit.

HTH

[The Don]

I wonder if the f-body stock manifolds will work?

[rking]

From my understanding, everyone uses the truck manifolds. But those engines are also in an F Body, so it might be a clearance issue.

FWIW, there is a post on ls1tech right now where a guy is making over 900 rwhp on a twin turbo through stock truck manifolds. So the manifolds flow enough to make power, if you can stand how they look .

[ITSNOTAGN]

NONE of the manifolds will work facing forward. The frame rails are too close together, otherwise the crossmember is in the way. Also the 5.3 is a REALLY strong engine, and will take about 600hp forever. They have higher compression though and are only able to tolerate about 7-8psi.
Gary

[The Don]

higer compression is my enemy. Hey where did you get your brackets. everyone is saying nothing will fit.

[rking]

Originally Posted by ITSNOTAGN

NONE of the manifolds will work facing forward. The frame rails are too close together, otherwise the crossmember is in the way. Also the 5.3 is a REALLY strong engine, and will take about 600hp forever. They have higher compression though and are only able to tolerate about 7-8psi.
Gary

Do you have any newer pics of your car. I dont think I have seen any since you have had it completed .

[ITSNOTAGN]

well i am going to re-do my manifolds and y pipe this winter. i will take pics again if you want , but it will be alot different in the spring. I plan on mapping out and making nice forward facing mains, and i think im gonna make a few sets. LMK if anyone is interested. May make a couple sets of mounts as well, we'll see.
Gary

[The Don]

you already know I'm interested.

[topher455]

If you are interested in a turbo 5.3 then check this out. I have been doing research for my regal project. Hope this helps.

Index of /images/fairmontgallery


durability of a stock boosted 5.3 at 600rwhp - LS1TECH

[Buick_noob]

Originally Posted by topher455

If you are interested in a turbo 5.3 then check this out. I have been doing research for my regal project. Hope this helps.

Index of /images/fairmontgallery


durability of a stock boosted 5.3 at 600rwhp - LS1TECH

I seen that Fairmont run in person and wow.

[topher455]

Originally Posted by ITSNOTAGN

NONE of the manifolds will work facing forward. The frame rails are too close together, otherwise the crossmember is in the way. Also the 5.3 is a REALLY strong engine, and will take about 600hp forever. They have higher compression though and are only able to tolerate about 7-8psi.
Gary

I missed this earlier when reading. The 5.3 lm7 has 9.5:1 comp which is most common. There is an all aluminum 5.3 with roughly 10:1 comp used in the SSR but they are rare. Engine code lm3 I think.

I think the pump gas tune on the fairmont is 8psi (10.9 et) and with c116 it is 18psi and has broken into the 9's The videos of the passes are in the link I posted.

[ITSNOTAGN]

I want to correct this statement somewhat. This falll i have learned that if you switch to a manual rack and pinion, like i am doing, you can use the stock manifold on the drivers side. The outlet is right in the indent for the steering box, pretty slick. Gotta make sure you cut off the EGR boss or get a manifold without EGR to clear the steering shaft.
Gary

[BandAid]

any new info on this ..

[parish8]

Originally Posted by BandAid

any new info on this ..

fairmont is still running strong. ran a best of 9.49. hundreds and hundreds of runs in the 500-600rwhp level. stock 5.3 other than cam and springs. cheap mp70 turbo, mid 10's on pump gas at 8-9psi. our 5.3 cost $250 but we got a good deal. you can find them all day long around here for $450.

i think a single turbo 5.3 is a hard combo to beat if your on a budget.

[Buick_noob]

Originally Posted by parish8

fairmont is still running strong. ran a best of 9.49. hundreds and hundreds of runs in the 500-600rwhp level. stock 5.3 other than cam and springs. cheap mp70 turbo, mid 10's on pump gas at 8-9psi. our 5.3 cost $250 but we got a good deal. you can find them all day long around here for $450.

i think a single turbo 5.3 is a hard combo to beat if your on a budget.

Make a list......

5.3 engine
What tranny
what ecu
what tuner
alky??
what type of cam
what tye of springs?
etc

[parish8]

i think that is directed towards me.

turbo400 tranny with a brake
msd box for ignition control, runs stock ls1 coils and provides tach signal to the megasquirt
megasquirt for fuel. also runs fans, fuel pump and boost controler.
we tune it ourselfs, easy to do with the squirt. keep it safe and conservative. 15deg timing at wot and around 11.5-1
no alkey. pump gas up to 9psi, whatever kind of race fuel above 9psi.
used 2001 zo6 cam($75), patriot gold springs.

[Buick_noob]

Originally Posted by parish8

i think that is directed towards me.

turbo400 tranny with a brake
msd box for ignition control, runs stock ls1 coils and provides tach signal to the megasquirt
megasquirt for fuel. also runs fans, fuel pump and boost controler.
we tune it ourselfs, easy to do with the squirt. keep it safe and conservative. 15deg timing at wot and around 11.5-1
no alkey. pump gas up to 9psi, whatever kind of race fuel above 9psi.
used 2001 zo6 cam($75), patriot gold springs.

Damn nice. I remember when you took it up to MAM and raced that white Rustang. Damn nice pizza getter. Did you customized your headers? Post some pics

[parish8]

here is a vid of our best run >> 1320Video - The Fairmont's new 1/4 Mile Time

tons of pics of the build. it was ultra low budget. many parts were donated, stuff people had laying around. it is/was our goal to get the car on pinks but that isn't looking too hopefull.


here are the pics. my gallery got messed up so they are not in order. >> fairmont

we used the stock truck manifold pointing forward on the drivers side and made a manifold for the pasenger side.

[parish8]

there are lots of options with the ls motors.

for around $850 you can get a 6.0. better heads, more displacement. probably about the same max hp potential before it comes apart but more pump gas potential, better spool time...

for around $1000 you can get an all aluminum 5.3 and shave about 80lbs off the front of the car.

there are some killer new options that i dont know all the spacifics of. seems like a l92 motor will be a kick ass option when the price comes down. they are probbaly above $3k right now. 6.2L, really killer heads and intake, all aluminum. something like 400hp from the factory.

[Buick_noob]

Originally Posted by parish8

there are lots of options with the ls motors.

for around $850 you can get a 6.0. better heads, more displacement. probably about the same max hp potential before it comes apart but more pump gas potential, better spool time...

for around $1000 you can get an all aluminum 5.3 and shave about 80lbs off the front of the car.

there are some killer new options that i dont know all the spacifics of. seems like a l92 motor will be a kick ass option when the price comes down. they are probbaly above $3k right now. 6.2L, really killer heads and intake, all aluminum. something like 400hp from the factory.

you talking used right? Where are you finding these deals at?

That price is not going down anytime soon. They compare the L92 as a very close big brother to the LS3.

[Buick_noob]

Off of Jegs:

L92~ 7,305.99 403HP/417TQ
GM Performance Parts L92 Vortec 6.2L V8 Truck Engine - JEGS

LS3~ $6,895.99 480hp
GM Performance Parts 376CID/480HP LS3 Engine - JEGS

[BandAid]

please send a l;ink to some low price LM7 motors ,I thought the Aluminum version of the lm7 was higher compression...or am I wrong... need link to some motors....

[parish8]

those prices are used and at our local junk yards. i would think every junk yard in the US would be overflowing with 5.3's for cheap but maybe it is just a midwest thing.

the prices for the iron 5.3 and iron 6.0 are just regulur prices around here. the ~1000 for the all aluminum 5.3 was on ebay. not sure how often they go that cheap or what the going rate is.

not sure on compresion on that 5.3 either but if it is 10-1 vs 9.5-1 it wouldnt bother me much.

as for the l92. there was a group of 3-4 new l92's that literaly fell off a train that some guy was selling on ls1tech. seems like he was asking $3400. they all had some kind of damage like a hole in the intake or a riped off coil pack.

[parish8]

[BandAid]

now please send link to the salvage yard locator you used above

that vortec looks so sweet in the engine bay of a ford

can you make another pasenger header..send price

[Buick_noob]

The L92 motors are found in what Trucks/SUV?

[parish8]

i just went directly to the local junk yards web site but you can goto Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market and look stuff up.

i could make a copy of that header but it wouldn't be super cheap. more than $500, less than $1000, i would have to add it up. it is all stainless with thick flanges and a vband flange going to the drivers side manifold. cant say for sure it would fit in anything but an lsx fairmont.

[Buick_noob]

Originally Posted by parish8

i just went directly to the local junk yards web site but you can goto Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market and look stuff up.

i could make a copy of that header but it wouldn't be super cheap. more than $500, less than $1000, i would have to add it up. it is all stainless with thick flanges and a vband flange going to the drivers side manifold. cant say for sure it would fit in anything but an lsx fairmont.

What would be another 5.3l or l92 swap in a car that our area really hasn't seen before? Maybe a 79 Chevy malibu? Don't want to copy you because even though we live in the same area I will hear "look at that guy trying to copy Parish"! I am deployed with Jay, I think you know him. He had the trans-am 2002 yellow special edition.

[protracracing]

Conversions & Hybrids - LS1TECH

There is a lot of infor.About doing the 5.3 motor swap in a g-body.

Dennis

[parish8]

i wasn't the first to do an ls1 in a fox body and i am sure i wont be the last. fox's are great for a low weight, great hooking cheap platform and the ls1 based motor kicks ass.

you could do anything rwd.

[Buick_noob]

So lets say I have two stock Buick turbos and want to do a Twin Turbo on a 5.3. Would you say 3 psi is safe for those 5.3L

[Buick_noob]

So lets say I have two stock Buick turbos and want to do a Twin Turbo on a 5.3l. Would you say 3 psi is safe for those 5.3L

[parish8]

i dont know if that is a real question since you are sticking your toung out at me.

5.3 is good for 6psi non intercooled. 9psi with an intercooler. not sure of absolute limit when running good fuel. we havent found it yet and have gone 9.50's at 15psi.