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Chevy Buggy Motors

BamaTJ

BamaTJ

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I know it was done on PBB, but I want to know what YOU all think. I new Kelly is the resident expert on the subject and Nolen has researched it a ton, so let's hear it. My question is what are the major differences between the 5.3 and 6.0 and then the 5.3/6.0 vs the LS1. I know the LS1 is light, compact and makes 400hp in stock form. I also know it is expensive and has oiling issues on inclines. I now the 5.3 is heavier, makes around 300hp stock and is CHEAP. It is also taller in the intake and oil pan dept. The car oil pan is an easy fix, the LS6 intake is not so easy or cheap. Not sure how the 6.0 compares to the 5.3 in terms of height and weight, but it makes around 350hp stock. Looking for a motor for my buggy. I have heard of good deals on LS1's, but my shopping has resulted in $3k+ price tags for just the complete motors. Learn me guys...
 
You've seen Heath's buggy tear it up. I have have only seen it run once since he went to 44's and he killed it shortly after it was off the trailer. I think that 5.3 with the computer mods screams for the bang for the buck he has into it.
 
Roger that, look for the truck 5.3. Thin the harness, reflash the brain, put a vette pan on it, and you are there.
 
What should I expect to pay for a complete 5.3? I believe there is a year cut-off where they changed to drive by wire and it is more expensive to convert the later models? What year did that happen?
 
I agree on bang for the buck goes to 5.3 with a reflash and light mods its a lil screamer.. Plenty for a buggy.

I still havent figured out the small buggy high HP philosphy, Ive never seen one hook for **** and go , they overwhelm the tires all the time. I mean, its OFF ROAD, not drag strip laughing

( high HP is a big cool factor though, Im just poor and rationalize most things around $$ thumb.gif )
 
With a 5.3/6.0 you will have more low end torque than an LS1 because of the intake, that is if you have enough room for it.  I paid 1900 for my 6.0.  02 model with harness, but was missing a few things.  03 and up is fly by wire.  I have seen 5.3s for 800 complete with harness, just takes some looking around.  Jims performance did the harness, 500 for everything (rework to 4 wire hookup, cat deletes, VATS delete etc. then he uped the timing a bit)
 
Matt are you not wanting the drive by wire?

I personally love mine. I have repositioned it for me and it didn't take anything. Is it another piece of electronics that can fail, sure. But its easy. You dont have any linkage to worry about getting dirty and jambing up on ya.
 
I just read that the drive by hard required the expensive pedal assembly and some other crap to make it work. Brian at TC sold me on the 5.3. He said they run them on the shop rigs and prefer to use them whenever possible. They sell a super short oil pan for them also, that is shorter than the car pans I believe. I am thinking if I can find a good deal on the motor, send it to Jim's for reflash and get the smaller pan I can be good to go for $1500-$1800. I got a price on a complete LS1 for $3250 before the reflash :o
 
Go to any junk yard and unbolt the pedal assembly out from under the dash. 3 bolts.
All of these GM's have the same pedal assembly.

Nice thing, I think for me is if I trash mine somehow, I can jack the one off my pickup, and use it to get the buggy on the trailer. Or my wife's tahoe. skully
 
heaths is an 05 drive by wire. people are always taking the stock throttle bodies off the F body cars and putting aftermarket ones on. I found him a non drive by wire one (it bolts right on) for $15 used. you've seen how it works. I found matt a 6 liter (amazing engine with springs and cam). for under 2 grand out of an 07 complete to exhaust, harness, brain, intake system, everything. that **** adds up, and is nice to have (O2's are $ as are MAF's and ****). Flipping the intake is easy and lets you put an ls1 intake on (I see no reason for this, but some want it THAT low). Ls1 intakes are cheap because everyone wants to ditch it for the ls6 intake. you sacrifice torque. Yes, its a light ass buggy, but you still want the power down low. I have bought several 5.3s now for $900ish 100% complete. the yard we go to has them complete as ****.
 
Yeah the little stuff adds up Quick trust me.
O2's, mass air flow, AN fittings, pulleys, and anything to do with Plumbing.
 
Kelly, that 6.0 would be bangin, I just cannot buy it NOW. A few months and it would be on. That said if you can find a 5.3 for those prices I may have you bring one to Gray Rock with you in April
 
Great info in this thread.

Most LS-1's came 325hp from the factory though. No real screamer there. Easy to flash the computer and hit near 400hp though, just like the rest.

5.3 is a great motor for the price, as is the LQ4 truck motor. Both have the iron block which I like. TC attaches the front of the skidplate to the block. I did not like the thought of that being attached to Aluminum. Same with the tranny bolts.

You are looking at 80# difference from the AL block to the Iron block. If you are going to add weight, that is the spot for it if your motor is mounted low and back into the firewall.

My truck 6.0 will have some slight mods and computer flash but will still be GM internals and will produce 390-400HP according to my builder and Hot Rod magazine who just did a full build on this motor.

I have driven both motors and I think the 6.0 holds an edge on the 5.3, but not much of one. Is it worth $1000 or more minimum? Probably not, I just wanted one.

P, you should get a ride with Jimbro in his LS1 buggy sometime. He sucks the suspension down to the stops and baby hold on!
 
5.3 = 285 HP
6.0/LQ4 = 300 HP
6.0 LQ9 = 345 HP
LS1 1998-1999 = 305 HP - NON SS
LS1 2000-2002 = 310 HP - NON SS
LS1 1998-1999 SS model = 325
LS1 2000-2002 SS model = 335
LS1 Corvette 1997-2002 345 HP

I consider the 5.3 to be almost equal to the performance of a VORTEC 350. Both of the 6.0 liters are good motors, but the LQ9 does pull harder and has better internals. Now comes the good stuff. The LS1 is hands down the sweetest motor made to date. These things will scream in stock form and blow the pants off of just about everything when modded. I would put a stock LS1 up against a heads, cam and intake old school V8 any day of the week. The performace of this motor is unreal. There are a few things to be carefull of though. The 97-99 LS1's have had oil pump problems and the rod bolts are weaker. The 00-02 have the upgraded pump along with the better rod bolts. The 97-01 motors also have the LS1 intake while the 01-02 have the LS6 intake. The LS6 is good for about 15 HP over the LS1 intake. All in all any of these motors a great and work well with good parts on/in them. My obvious choice would be the LS1 over any of the listed.
 
wngrog said:
Great info in this thread.

Most LS-1's came 325hp from the factory though. No real screamer there. Easy to flash the computer and hit near 400hp though, just like the rest.

5.3 is a great motor for the price, as is the LQ4 truck motor. Both have the iron block which I like. TC attaches the front of the skidplate to the block. I did not like the thought of that being attached to Aluminum. Same with the tranny bolts.

You are looking at 80# difference from the AL block to the Iron block. If you are going to add weight, that is the spot for it if your motor is mounted low and back into the firewall.

My truck 6.0 will have some slight mods and computer flash but will still be GM internals and will produce 390-400HP according to my builder and Hot Rod magazine who just did a full build on this motor.

I have driven both motors and I think the 6.0 holds an edge on the 5.3, but not much of one. Is it worth $1000 or more minimum? Probably not, I just wanted one.

P, you should get a ride with Jimbro in his LS1 buggy sometime. He sucks the suspension down to the stops and baby hold on!
Click to expand...

Having a mail order "FLASH" won't net more than 12-15 HP. A full dyno tune on a stock LS1 will only pick up 17-22 HP. This would only take it to maybe 350 HP. My 99 TA with a box stock LS1 laid down 303 RWHP and 313 RWTQ. My 99 VETTE laid down 330 RWHP and 342 RWTQ with a intake, headers, true duals and all the free mods. Tunes and "flashing" the computer as you call it is really for fine tuning the ruff stuff out of one. Setting the idle, the slow down and smoothing out the A/F ratio across the RPM range.
 
very good info there. I'm a 5.3 fan in a smaller rig. if you're building a buggy, I say go 5.3. if you have too much money, go the Ls1/6 and up. sky's the limit there. young, I agree on the amazing platforms that these things are with stock internals. even the truck motors with LS cams and better springs. spin to the heavens and good low end at the same time. Matt, I can probably pick one up and go up to make sure that I get EVERYTHING if you give me about a month's notice so he can have his eye out for the exact right one.
 

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