5.3L Vortec V8 Engine Buildup - Vortec 5.3L Transformed

  |   5 3l Vortec V8 Engine Buildup 5 3l Vortec Ls Engine When GM decided to release its redesigned small-block V-8 for the 1997 model year, they went over-the-top with a new and improved design. This design was applauded by performance-minded engine builders everywhere. After being introduced into the LS family, it has become the most popular powerplant in GM's arsenal. Brian Doyen from Hot Motorsports, in Santa Ana, California purchased a pre-owned, low mileage, 2000 GM 5.3L V-8 (325ci) truck engine that produced 285 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque from the factory. This Gen III engine features a deep skirted, six-bolt-main cast-iron block, with a pair of aluminum cathedral port cylinder heads. The heads were equipped with 2.00/1.55 valves in symmetrical intake and exhaust ports creating more efficient flow of the air/fuel mixture throughout the cylinder heads. We snapped the photos while a Gen III 5.3L was enhanced by installing bolt-on LS performance components. The additions included: intake manifold, throttle-body, camshaft, lifters, pushrods, 1.7 roller rocker arms, double row roller timing chain and gears, shallow oil pan, remote oil filter adapter, high-volume oil pump, aluminum valve covers, headers, and 300-amp alternator. Hot Motorsports engine specialist, Bob Ecker, disassembled the top end of the 5.3L Vortec V-8. The addition of these LS high-performance components will increase the horsepower and torque of this truck engine making it a real screamer. We hope to get some dyno numbers later, stay tuned.

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Your Questions Answered Time Spent Working: 8 Hours
Degree Of Difficulty: Moderate Tools Used:
1/2-inch drive torque wrench, dremel rotary tool, sanding and polishing bits, 3/8-, 1/2-, 5/8-, 3/4-,inch 10mm, 13mm sockets, 3/8-drive ratchet and assorted wrenches. Parts List Professional Products
Intake manifold 52064 $670.00
85mm throttle-body 60726 $230.00
Ignition coil covers 52140 $250.00 Cool Flex Radiator Hoses
Radiator hose kit FX3013 $312.12
Heater hose kit FX50FX513FX108 $232.17 Crane Cams
Camshaft HR210/3121-2s-12-2A $468.00
Rockers & pushrods 144750-16 $771.84
Roller lifters 144530-16 $635.20
Double row roller timing chain & gears 144984-1 $254.80
Conical valvesprings 144832-16 $198.40 Fluidyne
Aluminum radiator FHP20-3420C $280.00
Electric fan 16-inch FHP34116 $123.00
Transmission cooler DB30120 $152.25 Moroso
Shallow oil pan with shallow sump 20140 $313.99
Aluminum valve covers 68352 $439.39
Remote oil filter mount 23764 $41.99
High-volume oil pump 22120 $145.00 Design Engineering
Cryogenic 2-inch cooling system 080102 $393.33
Cryogenic 3-inch intake system 080110 $156.00
Cryogenic fuel rail system 080120 $150.00
Purge kit 080300 $133.33 Doug Thorley Headers
Jet coated headers TH-309-S-C $646.00 Ohio Generator
300-amp Polished Alternator PN $300.00 Jet Performance
Mass airflow sensor 69101 $389.95
Throttle-body spacer 62100 $129.99 Federal Mogul
Complete gasket kit HS929PT and CS9284 $321.78 Nology
High-power ignition cables 04118101 $314.76
Silver spark plugs 150141020 $72.00 TOTAL COST $8,516.29
(Not including tax or labor)