Narrowing control arms

[agdeuce]

Wouldn't have guessed

Wow! It just goes to show how innovative the folks at this site are. Very good engineering and fabrication. Thank you for showing us how to again " think outside the box" and do it safely. Great thread.

Steve

 

[DJ3100]

3100 gets an LS

Thought I'd post the next update of the '53 Chevy 3100.

Found a LM7 ( iron block 5.3 Chevy gen III other wise thought of as an LS) long block. The only info I got was that it came from a '99 Yukon.

Paid $225. Felt like a bandit all the way home. Around here a take out 5.3 goes for $1200 -$1600. I started making a list of the things I'd need that a take out engine would have: starter, alternator, PS pump brackets, cam sensor, crank sensor, knock sensor and harness, coil pack harness. When I add all that up I feel like less of a bandit.

The plan is to use the Fitech Ultimate LS. Comes with intake, throttle body, injectors, oxygen sensor, programmable ecm, harness and other stuff. So I wasn't concerned about not getting an intake.

Also plan to rebuild as necessary, cam, port and polish without spending a ton.

 

[Old Iron]

DJ, you'll love it when you're done

 

[jfg455]

Cheap recipe for a 420 crank HP 5.3
-mild port on the heads and shave about .010
-LS9 cam and springs $159 and $87
-good flowing 1 3/4" headers
-85mm throttle body w/3.5" intake and MAF (or relative aftermarket intake)
-You will need to swap to an LS2 timing cover and cam sensor along with a 2X timing gear as the LS9 cam has no provisions for a rear sensor.

I believe it was hot rod network that did just this and in banged out 421 hp on the engine dyno. The 121 lca means it idles like a champ but still pulls hard all the way to 6800.

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/ls-cam-test-comparison/

 

[DJ3100]

John,

Thanks for the info.

I read that article and what I paid most attention to is torque gain or loss at 2500 rpm. Every cam listed showed a loss of torque when compared to the stock LM7 cam. This truck has a 5 speed - 1800 rpm at 65 mph. I'd like to be able to pull the overpasses without shifting down, so I'm concerned about losing torque on the low end. I rarely rev over 4000 -4500 rpms. Most of the cams make big power above that.

Maybe I'm thinking incorrectly about cam selection. I'd appreciate any insight.

I plan a mild port and polish, and the 1 3/4" headers. Hadn't thought about raising the compression - that's a torque adder.