5.3 vs 6.0 ???

payne97 · Nov 27, 2012

Those big gears (6.17) r killin alot of HP i would think a 5.13 would b great with the 465 1st gear would still let u crawl

BigCountry · Nov 27, 2012

robpate said:
Wes, I was riding with the Bacons and Doug Edgemond at Windrock for the toy drive in the Jims Garage Buggy with the boggers. I use to run a 5.3 before I built the 408 I currently have (still not tuned right). And unless you just want a lot more power then I'd just rebuild, cam and maybe some aftermarket heads and you should have plenty of giddy up. The heads I am running on my 408 I bought used for $800.00 and they are cnc machined to 225cfm so you can get a lot of power out of the 5.3 for less money than buying another 6.0. I also am running a 3qt. accumulator with a Mast oil pan. I really like the quality of the mast pan, the sump area is smaller than stock so the oil stays where its suppose to and its baffled and you also use factory filter location. Its not cheap though. If you have any questions let me know.

Yeah I know ya, I rode Rail Trail with ya'll. I love your buggy. I have decided to just freshen mine, rework the heads, install a cam, headers, retune and I should be tickled. Im using the Moroso 20140 GM LS1/LS6 STEEL OIL PAN. I am going to weld some baffles in it, and possibly put a accumulator on it as well.

Do ya'll have a cam recommendation? I love a bumpy idle but aint gotta have it.

I have toyed with the thought of putting 4.56's in it but dont really know how it would work. I hit the rev limiter quick w/ 6.17's, but i kinda like it cause i have alot of gear options. I can pull second in high side when i want alot of tire speed. I am a gear jammer from way back and dont plan on ever going to an auto tranny.

TBItoy · Nov 27, 2012

BigCountry said:
Yeah I know ya, I rode Rail Trail with ya'll. I love your buggy. I have decided to just freshen mine, rework the heads, install a cam, headers, retune and I should be tickled. Im using the Moroso 20140 GM LS1/LS6 STEEL OIL PAN. I am going to weld some baffles in it, and possibly put a accumulator on it as well.

Do ya'll have a cam recommendation? I love a bumpy idle but aint gotta have it.

I have toyed with the thought of putting 4.56's in it but dont really know how it would work. I hit the rev limiter quick w/ 6.17's, but i kinda like it cause i have alot of gear options. I can pull second in high side when i want alot of tire speed. I am a gear jammer from way back and dont plan on ever going to an auto tranny.

I'd stick with the 6.17s, especailly if you can pull 2nd on the hi side. You'll be doing even better with more power.

I'd stay away from super big cams with a really high powerband since you are running a manual, it'll make it a bitch to drive

BigCountry · Feb 6, 2013

Update! Finally done a cold compression test on my 5.3 last week and it showed 150 psi across all cylinders. I did however have a few plugs showing a little more grime than others. I am thinking its the Valve Seals causing the smoke at high RPMS? Am I correct in thinking this way? The engine does not smoke all the time. It just smokes from time to time when im on the gas. Im thinking when the oil builds up in the valve covers then the bad seals allows it creep in, but idk? So based on my compression test can I just rebuild or replace my heads and continue beating on this thing?

Also im still in a debate with my buddies...Is a 5.3 more dependable than a 6.0??? They say the 6.0's have more of a reputation for coming apart?

yankster · Feb 6, 2013

BigCountry said:
Also im still in a debate with my buddies...Is a 5.3 more dependable than a 6.0??? They say the 6.0's have more of a reputation for coming apart?

There's no difference in dependability. It's pretty common to see both with over 300,000 miles and still diggin'. 6.0s sure are more thirsty though.
I had a 6.0 in a 2500 Yukon XL and it would smoke after long periods of idling (263,000 miles) Valve seals cleared that right up.
I bought this tool at Autozone and changed the seals without pulling the heads. Just gotta blow air in the spark plug hole to keep the valve from dropping.
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/OEM-Valve-spring-compressor-with-knob/_/N-4aow?itemIdentifier=231210_0_0_

Rockwells607 · Feb 6, 2013

I don't know much about the 5.3 but I think yankster and erics94cobra will attest to the fact that the 6.0 cam make some huge power! The spider buggy will boil the tire off it with his 6.0 and a few goodies