Quote:
Originally Posted by gnx7
If you find an L33 engine that is an alum 5.3 block; however they have DOD/VVT. If you convert it back over to a standard style cam you need the following: front LS2/LS3 cover and valley cover, LS7 lifters, new cam, new pushrods, new timing set which will put you way over budget. The 85lb weight saving is nice though. The heads don't matter a ton once you swap in a cam. Maybe 10-20hp difference in head castings. You can also mill the heads to gain more compression and get some free power.
I paid $650 for an L33 shortblock.... then added ported 5.3 heads, LS9 gaskets, ARP head studs, ARP rod bolts, LS6 intake, ported TB, 120# injectors, used cam, LS7 lifters, front cover, valley cover, timing set and I was into it for over $3000 doing all the work myself.
The only way you are going to do it for $1500-1800 on the engine and trans is to buy a complete totalled vehicle and part it out making some money back or you better have one hell of a hookup. You will be hard pressed to do it otherwise. The fuel system alone doing it cheaply (weld in a sump, the lines, pump, regulator/fittings) will be a few hundred easily. Then you need a tune as well and redo/relabel the wiring harness. A 5.3 without at least a cam upgrade is going to be a dog. That would require head gaskets and some new bolts and most likely deck the heads for a fresh mating surface. Just trying to be realistic.
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The L33 is a great engine, however it does not have VVT, or DOD. It is a mirror image of the LM7, with the exception of flat top pistons for a compression bump, and a unique to the L33 camshaft that gave the L33 the name 5.3 H.O. Obviously, they are an all aluminum engine, vs. the LM7 being iron block, with aluminum heads.
The heads on the L33 are excellent, and are basically 243 castings with different valves.
Available only in extended cab 4WD trucks in 2005-2006, these guys were a gen3 engine, and are getting harder to find.
I swapped one last year into a suburban, and really picked up the vehicles power and mileage.