383 or 5.3?????????
 

OK, I'm trying to make a decision here, my vortec-headed 350 lost oil pressure and needs a rebuild. the motor and heads had less than 7000 miles on them

I'm considering 2 options:

keep the vortecs and build a 383 short block with good rods and/or forged pistons, and a bigger cam.--aprox 400 hp

or

I think I can do a 5.3 swap for about the same price as the 383 short block i'm planning if i sell the heads, manifold and distibuter.--aprox 300 hp

the reason I'm considering the 5.3 swap is that its a daily driver and the Fuel Injection would be really nice. Eventually I'd mod the 5.3 to get more power. but for right now it would be stock.

opinions please.

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

5.3l

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

383

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

I would do a 5.3, but then again I am a computer geek so that would be fun to me.

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

cant go wrong with a 5.3!

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

I've never really cared for high HP motors in trucks, especially drivers. I can definitely appreciate a fast truck, but they're not really for me. Definitely 5.3, especially since you already have the 700R. Can you buy a harness for a 5.3 w/ 700R or does it have to be a 4l60E?

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

I have a 383 in my 69, while it is fun (especially in today's rain hehe), the money I've sunk in it over the course of 2 rebuilds in 3 years coulda gone a lot further towards something better. Could have a nice LS crate at this point, an LS based anything would be much more worth that amount of coin then a 383 in my opinion. Granted my 383 had issues from day one that has brought me to this opinion but I had to have a 383. Gotta love hindsight.

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

5.3s are great engines, good milage and decent horsepower. but if your in a big rush to get the truck runnin again the 383 is basicly a drop in thing. but if you want the horsepower with decent milage spend a few hundred bucks more for a 6.0L.

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

the 700r4 I have is non-electronic, to make it work with the 5.3 I'd have to use a DBC (Drive By Cable) throttle and hook a TV cable to it. I assume that I'd use a harness and a computer simular to a manual transmission

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

here is what concerns me about the 5.3

My old vortec headed 350 with 260High Energy cam
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/w...sc1e/360he.jpg

the vortec headed 383 with a 268 Extreme energy cam
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/w...sc1e/383XE.jpg

the stock 5.3
http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/w...musc1e/LM7.jpg

this is desktop dyno so I expect the HP/TQ figures are a little exaderated but look at the torque of the 350 and the 383 compared to the 5.3, I know the fuel injection will make up for some of it, but I'm still a little worried that this will be like driving a weak 305,
it wouldn't be so bad if it werent' for the 3.08 gears, which, when I get the money, I'm changing out the 3.73's

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

My 2000 5.3L Z71 is drive by cable. Not sure which year GM went to drive by wire. I think '03.

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

i would save some extra and do a 6.0

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

5.3L all the way.

My '05 silverado crew cab with 3.42 gears would run circles around my old 97 tahoe with vortec 350 and 3.73 gears

The LSx engines have so much potential. Just a cam swap will get you a long ways.

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

383. I love the way my truck drives. That cam you picked is just perfect. Lots of TORQUE!!!!!! The VORTEC heads make good power and you already have most of the STUFF you need.

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

5.3 gets my vote. Killer hat 3.08's and it was awesome...had plenty of power from take off and out on the hi-way....it was a perfect combo for a daily driver...you'll definit. be surprised..

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

For a weekend vehicle I would build the a serious power house but for a daily driver I would just put a nice stock pretty motor. I do not know anything about the new technology with computers and what not so I will have to vote 383 mainly because lack of knowledge..

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

The 5.3 will definately have enough hp. If your engine is drive by wire and you want to change it to cable you can just swap out your throttle body or change the peddle to make it a dbw. The only concern you want to check into is the 700r4 b/c I had one attached to my 5.3 and never could get it to shift right. The tranny man said it never would. There isn't a spot for the dt cable and I fabricated one but it never shifted like a 4l60. After I put in the 4l60 mine shifts like a new truck and and gets over 20mpg. The 5.3 is definately the way to go.

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

My vote is with the 383.... high torque and low rpms.

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

I'd go with a 383 with fuel injection.My .02:chevy:

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

Ooh, theres the best of both. I'd love to put fi on my 383 but can't afford it. The instant throttle response with all that low torque would be fun. Definitely something else to consider op.

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

If I had the means to swap out my L6 would have to go with the 5.3L just think it would be a great setup.

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

did you really say the 5.3's 300 ftlbs of tq at 2000 rpm would be like driving a weak 305?

5.3 gets my vote, cant wait to get mine done. its hard to beat 300 hp and 20 mpg in a truck. plus mods are awesome over 400hp with headers cam and tune alone.

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

alright, I'm leaning toward the 5.3.

a 6.0 would be really nice, but does anyone know where i can get one for less than $1000 shipped???????????????????????

I'm really ready to get back in my truck. :chevy::chevy::chevy:

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

Might as well go with a ramjet 502 :metal: -- I'd love to, but I'm a little broke right now

Re: 383 or 5.3?????????
 

found a 6.0 for $775 shipped, good deal???