5.3 LS Motor

[Rick D]

I'm planning to run a 5.3 to start with ( I am going to build a bigger LS motor later) so I can get an aluminum 5.3 short block for a good deal, but I still need all the other components so I was going to buy a complete 5.3 iron block motor for the same money and use all the bolt on parts. My questions is, is it worth getting the aluminum block? It will cost me around 250.00. I plan to do a small amount of work to the motor (heads and cam and intake), should I do the aluminum block or just use the iron block? Going in a you guessed it a 69 Camaro!

[Ron in SoCal]

Originally Posted by badrs69

I'm planning to run a 5.3 to start with ( I am going to build a bigger LS motor later) so I can get an aluminum 5.3 short block for a good deal, but I still need all the other components so I was going to buy a complete 5.3 iron block motor for the same money and use all the bolt on parts. My questions is, is it worth getting the aluminum block? It will cost me around 250.00. I plan to do a small amount of work to the motor (heads and cam and intake), should I do the aluminum block or just use the iron block? Going in a you guessed it a 69 Camaro!

Hey Rick...I love the options the 5.3 gives you, but this is really a question you need to answer from a budget perspective. Both blocks will do well and can be stroked to a 383. Add some boost and you're pretty much at the top of the food chain around these parts. Iron blocks take boost better and (NA) is the same weight as a traditional SBC. Al can be stroked and boosted if you don't get greedy as well, but if it's a pure AutoX car NA is better around the tight cones. Give me a call this weekend if you wanna chat about it...

[GFRDH-04]

I plan to do a small amount of work to the motor (heads and cam and intake), should I do the aluminum block or just use the iron block?

[19,69camaro]

I would get the aluminum. The extra weight savings is well worth the cash in my opinion

[Rick D]

Originally Posted by Ron in SoCal

Hey Rick...I love the options the 5.3 gives you, but this is really a question you need to answer from a budget perspective. Both blocks will do well and can be stroked to a 383. Add some boost and you're pretty much at the top of the food chain around these parts. Iron blocks take boost better and (NA) is the same weight as a traditional SBC. Al can be stroked and boosted if you don't get greedy as well, but if it's a pure AutoX car NA is better around the tight cones. Give me a call this weekend if you wanna chat about it...

Hay Ron I missed your post, I will give you a call