5.3 LS4, 5300, 6.0, i have a headache.

So i've decided to go with the LS for the next build. I friend said use the LS4, but in my search the LS4 is the FWD engine for the new Imp SS and the Monte SS. The engine is 13mm shorter and the bellhousing mounts are different from the RWD version.

Now as i understand it, the 5300 truck motor uses an Iron block? but the 5.3 in the TA and Cam used the Alum block? So much info, so little time.

Had a 6.0 in my last truck, what would the advantage of this be versus the 5.3, The 5.3 will turn higher, but more torque from the 6.0.

Anyone that has a take on this i'd love more knowledge.

The engine in the fwd cars is a LS3 5.3 making 303hp. The firebird and camaro never got a 5.3. Their engines were the 5.7 shared with the corvette and 04 GTO. In 05 the GTO got a 6.0 which I think is the LS4 shared with the corvette. The truck 6.0 is a LQ4, and is rated for 300hp

Sorry, meant 5.7 in the cam and the TA. Its late and i'm tired.

LS4


5.3 L LS4 V8 in a 2006 Chevrolet Impala SSLS4 can also refer to a 454 CID Chevrolet Big-Block engine of the 1970s
The LS4 is a 5,328 cc (5.328 L; 325.1 cu in) version of the Generation IV block. Though it has the same displacement as the Vortec 5300 LH6, it differs in that it has an aluminium block rather than an iron one and it uses the same cylinder head as the Generation III LS6 engine. The bellhousing bolt pattern differs from the rear wheel drive blocks.

This engine is adapted for transverse front-wheel drive applications. According to GM, "The crankshaft is shortened 13 mm – 3 mm at the flywheel end and 10 mm at the accessory drive end – to reduce the length of the engine compared to the 6.0L. All accessories are driven by a single serpentine belt to save space. The water pump is mounted remotely with an elongated pump manifold that connects it to the coolant passages. Revised oil pan baffles, or windage trays, are incorporated into the LS4 to ensure that the oil sump stays loaded during high-g cornering."[5] Active Fuel Management is also used. Output of this version is 303 hp (226 kW)/300 hp on LaCrosse Super and 323 lb·ft (438 N·m).

Applications:

2006-2009 Chevrolet Impala SS
2006-2007 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS
2005-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP
2008 Buick LaCrosse Super


The 6.0 in the GTO is the LS2.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_LS_engine


Just got this, answered tons of my questions.

LS1 is the 5.7 for car use
LS2 is the newer version of that engine which was bumped up to 6.0 and put into later GTO's and SSr's
LS3 is the newest version and is in the new Camaro
LS6 is the beefed up version of the LS1
LS7 is the really cool engine

The trucks got "Vortec" engines which were just LS engines with a hi-rise intake and different cam to produce more torque

The trucks had the 4.8, 5.3, 5.7, and 6.0 versions of the Vortec engine
The truck engines to get are the LQ4, which was the standard 6.0 and the LQ9, which was the same engine but with high compression pistons which raised power and only came in the Cadillac Escalade. The way to tell them apart at a junkyard iis to check if the truck is a Caddy or not

The Vortecs have issues when swapped into cars because the oil pan is a deep sump pan and the high rise intake sits too high for most car hoods. Both of these are adressed with the right oil pan and the swap of an LS6 (late LS1) intake in place of the Vortec intake.

Also note that the fuel filter from certain year Vette's have a built in regulator/bypass which makes for a much easier swap into a car with a return line on the fuel system. The LS engines don't typically feature a return line on the manifold like you'd expect.

Thanks Brad,

I found a couple of just over 100k 6.0 engines for what I think is fairly cheap ($550) and as I understand it with a cam swap and some tweaking u can get 375-400hp. Which is more than enough for what I want. I'm going to research further.

No Moa wrote:

Thanks Brad,

I found a couple of just over 100k 6.0 engines for what I think is fairly cheap ($550) and as I understand it with a cam swap and some tweaking u can get 375-400hp. Which is more than enough for what I want. I'm going to research further.

You have been misinformed. With just a cam swap, you can make 400+ RWHP!!!!!

Well that's a plus!!!! Lol

I will do an LS based motor at some point myself.

I was sitting down Sat having a beer with a buddy that has a Golen motor, and i was telling him what my plans were, LT4 kit (maybe) and so on. He said don't!! Just get a 5.3 or a 6.0 and spend the money on that, cam, and what have you. He said he loved the Golen LT1 but had bought a 6.0 for a future build.

I guess i'd be crazy not to go this route, seems like alot of guys are. It won't be anytime soon, but plan is for a 6.0, and a t56 in one of the impalas. I hope.

I'm temped to hop on the 6.0 wagon myself. I am currently holding out for a complete LS1/T56 car, but when a 6.0 can be had for well under $1000 complete with accessories that is hard to resist when I would be putting a cam and headwork into whatever I got anyway...

I too have much research to do. By the fall I will have my plans settled and a build in progress so keep your eyes peeled. I already have the swap kit, just have to decide which LS motor to go with...

Doug

Swap kit? What does that consist of?

Glen, I replied to you in email, but I will post it up here as well for anyone else interested...

http://www.brphotrods.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=BRP&Category_Code=CNV5

I have their whole swap kit with the CTS-V oil pan and 1-3/4" long tube headers. Everything seems to be of the highest caliber workmanship, can't wait to get into the swap!

Doug

Thanks Doug, I'm going to invest in the kit and the pan, I'm not going with long tubes, I'm just not a fan of them.