5.3 questions

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doubledown0540

Well-known member
i am getting a 5.3 vortec motor that i are am going to rebuild. i am wanting to run is on a 14' hull not sure which one. Will be running a gear box or a belt drive and a 72 in prop. my questions are as follows

1. is the 5.3 a good motor for an airboat meaning power and weight for the hull i want to run. I know they are great motors as i have the same one in my truck.

2. What are some cheaper upgrades i can do when rebuilding it to make it a little more powerful.

3. which is better for my application a belt drive or a gear box.

4. am i wasting my time with this motor.

5. I am not a car motor guy have always been aircraft but its time to move up in the world and run with the big dogs. With that said i dont know a whole lot about automotive engines and need some help.

6. also what carb to run and can i run a distributer or does is have to mds ingition.

I am located in citrus county and any and all help would be appreciated.
 
I sure wish some one with knowledge would reply to these questions - the 5.3's are a dime a dozen and seem like a good low dollar choice for power. My only thought is - you dont say what 72" prop or even how many blades but there are guys around here running 2 blade 72" wisper tips direct drive behind almost stock 400 sbc's (no not dry). Are you going to have enough prop with reduction? Good luck - wish I could help.
 
the reason for wanting to run a 72 inch prop is that if i go any bigger i will not be able to clear the bridges where i like to fish.My buddy had a lt1 motor with a 2:1 belt drive and he ran a 72 inch ww with no problem. I really need some help with this motor i will going to look at it on sunday.
 
The GM z06 camshafts hard to beat or one with similar specs
And new valve springs are a must have

There are way better camshaft then that one but it is plug and play you can 99.9 percent of the time plug it in with lots of clearance and even step the rockers up a number

Minimum parts to buy
I highly recomend a Rev kit as valve float happens a lot with stock parts at the rpm we spin thease things
 
From the specs I have seen online, these engines are 327ci and about 285hp. I have one in tahoe, but never heard of one on an airboat, might be because they are lower on hp. Considering you can get a fairly new, good running 5.3 vortec for under 1k though, it would be nice if they turned out to be good airboat engines.
 
These engines are the same design as the LS engines so yes they are good engines. Cast iron block with aluminum heads. I think there is a way to run a distributor but I think it requires some modifications. I really recommend using the MSD ignition box. I think with a cam, valve and spring upgrade you can make it a decent running engines for a 14' boat. And I would recommend a 2.68 gear drive. At 72" you will probably be limited on props so I'm not even going to try to suggest a prop.
 
Have one on 14ft alumeteck ,212 rotator,2 blade,z06 cam,msd controller,dual plane manifold,650 volley and run hill all day long,great economical set up.
 
run a 2to1 box and a 3 blade power shift signature series! i have seen the zz4 motors run that combo and it work awesome!
 
That motor is not going to be a low end torque motor therefore the motor would benefit more from the 2.68. But it's alot like the age old battle of CM verses AC so to each his own.
 
thanks for all the help i was wanting to know because i also have a 383 in my garage that is in pieces i am thinking of getting the 5.3 for a backup in my truck and build the 383 for around the same money but with more power
 
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