LSx Stock Dyno Graphs 4.8L, 5.3L, 5.7L, 6.0L LQ9.

[SweetS10V8]

Hey guys, I thought I would share some of the information Ive gathered over time to help anyone that wants to get an idea the power difference between the major LSx based engines. I have yet to dyno a 6.0L LQ4. I will add them if I ever get the chance to.

All testing was done on the same dyno, all were automatics and basically stock.

[SweetS10V8]

Note that the 4.8L is by far the lowest, it would probably take a lot of money in parts to make it back up to the 5.3Ls stock numbers.

Remembering there is practically no price difference between a 4.8L and a 5.3L. Go with the 5.3L!

[Noremac]

nice data there...

[THEKING]

so what are the peak numbers for the baseline 5.3l? and is this a mustang dyno?

[02dime]

thanks man that helps alot in my decision on what motor to go with

[99,4.3vortec]

so theres really not that much of a difference in power between the ls1 and 5.3?

[SweetS10V8]

Quote: Originally Posted by 99,4.3vortec

so theres really not that much of a difference in power between the ls1 and 5.3?

Not a ton... Dollar for dollar I would take the 5.3L still between the 4.8L, 5.3L, and 5.7L. Overall I would take the 6.0L obviously.

[SweetS10V8]

Quote: Originally Posted by THEKING

so what are the peak numbers for the baseline 5.3l? and is this a mustang dyno?

241hp @ 5300RPM and 264lbft @ 4200RPM on the 5.3L

These are all done on a Superflow dyno. The numbers all would be MUCH higher on a Dynojet.

[02dime]

and what was the 6.0 at for #s

[SweetS10V8]

Quote: Originally Posted by 02dime

and what was the 6.0 at for #s

292HP @ 5500RPM and 317lbft @ 4300RPM

[LS2Sonoma]

hehe mines on top

what you havent included is the price.. it would be on top too
great info, thanks sweet!

[Mr Peanut]

great info, thanks

[02dime]

well from the #s and the price i can get the 5.3 i think i can give up some power

[99,4.3vortec]

i think i will be going with the 5.3 as well(really would love to have ls1 though)

[horsepwraddict]

not that it matters, but were these in stock vehicles (trucks, vettes, f-bodies ect.) or were they swapped s10s?


Just curious.

[SweetS10V8]

They were all in stock vehicles, except the 6.0 was in my truck.

[horsepwraddict]

cool, just wondering.

The truck motors might actually make a little more rwhp in an s10 due to the lighter running gear. Cars are probably about the same.

[NateZQ8]

And a t-56 might make a bit more than the slushbox 4l60e's

[02dime]

can you guys find #s on a 6.0 non LS2, just need comparisons against the 5.3

[SweetS10V8]

Quote: Originally Posted by SweetS10V8

I have yet to dyno a 6.0L LQ4 or LQ9. I will add them if I ever get the chance to.

Numbers can vary a ton from dyno to dyno.....

[02dime]

sorry missed that , thanks for all the info you provide here sweet

[RazorS10]

Income im actually going to buy a 5.3 but it will be bored to a 5.7 and then you can use a complete ls1 rotating assembly.

[SMACKEDS10]

lol, i like how everyone doesnt like 4.8L's

I have one in my silvy that I took to get a dyno after my cam swap and it clocked in with 309rwhp. FYI: done on the 22's and a stall converter.


I'm no where near full bolt ons yet. I'm about to slap in a lq4 in the silvy and put the 4.8L in the s10.. So far the best i've done at the 1/8th track is 8.97@74mph just imagine if that was in a lighter s10 pickup

[SweetS10V8]

Like I said, dynos vary greatly in the numbers they put out. To compare you need the same dyno, otherwise its just a number.

I could correct them to 400hp if I wanted to.

[SMACKEDS10]

you are correct.. I just wanted to show that 4.8L's have potential too just like the bigger motors. Seems like they dont get enough respect but whatever.. The fact that you can swap everything over gives people so many options to go with when building a motor like the ls series v8 motors.

[LS2Sonoma]

i like the 4.8s... anyone want to give me one?

[SweetS10V8]

Quote: Originally Posted by LS2Sonoma

i like the 4.8s... anyone want to give me one?

Sure, Ill pay all the shipping too. Just send your engine back to me in return, remembering Im being nice enough to pick up all the shipping charges...

[SweetS10V8]

Quote: Originally Posted by SMACKEDS10

4.8L's have potential too just like the bigger motors. Seems like they dont get enough respect but whatever..

It has nothing to do with respect, it purely a potential factor. A 5.3, 5.7, or 6.0L will gain the same amount or better if they all had the same bolt ons.

This thread was purely to show people where their starting point would be when trying to decide which engine to buy Since most people buy factory pull outs and not built race engines. Making a smart desicion will get everyone the most HP/dollar.

[2005lm7]

For you guys looking into a 4.8 or a 5.3 I know the 05 and newer model lr4/lm7 mills were changed to a fully floating piston with locks. Probably dont mean much but I have an 05 silvy with the 5.3 and it has never had the infamous piston slap on cold start or the spark knock sound on warm start issues.

[SweetS10V8]

And the newer 5.3Ls come with the #243 heads (LS6/LS2) w/ 210cc runners but most likely without the lightened valves though.

[SMACKEDS10]

yep your referring about the 5.3L H.O. right? I have one thats for sale..

[SweetS10V8]

No, I have an iron block 5.3L at work with 243 heads.

[Bone_s10]

4.8 s dont have the stroke but same bore as 5.3 ,

5.3s have the stroke and if are bored they become 5.7 s

6.0s are all in a class of there own

till ya get a 7.4

4.8s are more of a cruiser great gas mileage even better than a 4.3 kinda make you wonder why they didnt do it for a ss option ,

still yet very powerfull

[SMACKEDS10]

Quote: Originally Posted by SweetS10V8

No, I have an iron block 5.3L at work with 243 heads.

thats what a 5.3L High output version is if i'm not mistaken. 243 heads are basically ls6 type heads.

[SweetS10V8]

Im thinking the H.O. engines are the few that are all aluminum. Im totally wrong sometimes...

[91sonomast]

Quote: Originally Posted by SweetS10V8

Im thinking the H.O. engines are the few that are all aluminum. Im totally wrong sometimes...

the vortec max, its just heads and cam, the 243 heads, and i forgot, something close to a ls2 cam i believe.

as for the 4.8, they might have potential, but i know they do not get very good gas mileage when is a fullsize ECSB. one of my friends traded down a year and up 6k miles to get a truck with a 5.3, that 4.8 was gutless and sucked gas when u were towing something. its like the 2.8 of the s10's, it sucks, good for nothing other than to propel a truck.

[SweetS10V8]

Vortec Max is a LQ9 6.0L and is H.O. yes, we were talkinga bout the H.O. 5.3L that come with 243 heads.

[NateZQ8]

Keep in mind too that the LS1 was a 98 (SAE rated 345 hp in 1998) and the 5.3 was an 04 (rated at 315 hp in 04), most of the 99-02 5.3's were in the 285-295 mark so in a way if your going with an older 5.3 with the non LS6 heads, you will be down a bit. Overall i think this is great info and for all that its worth, you still cant go wrong with an LS type engine in your s10, regardless of displacement!

Nate

[layinlowinthes10]

I'll note also, that although they would still be pricey since they are so new, it seems most new body silverado's, rather the 4.8, 5.3, or 6.0 have 243 heads. I know my 4.8 does. I'll second that a 4.8 can make damn decent power. Mine had a hair under 300 from the factory, it came with a GMPP exhaust, and I've added a K&N cold air and a Diablosport tuner. It gets around pretty well. That power in an S10 would really move.

[s10-den]

my brothers 06 z71 has the all aluminum 5.3 with elecric fans from the factory...

[lilsonoma]

Quote: Originally Posted by layinlowinthes10

I'll second that a 4.8 can make damn decent power. Mine had a hair under 300 from the factory, it came with a GMPP exhaust, and I've added a K&N cold air and a Diablosport tuner. It gets around pretty well. That power in an S10 would really move.

Not only does it move, but when put in a 4-door ZR5 it still gets 24mpg on the highway. What more could a 16 year old teenage girl need? A dependable V8, 300hp/310lb-ft at the flywheel and good gas mileage out of a 4x4 mini truck.

[AmericanMuscle]

what year did chevy start putting on the 243 heads on the 5.3s?

[SweetS10V8]

The one I have is an '07, so probably 06-07ish....

[AmericanMuscle]

would it be woth it to swap out the stock heads for a set of ls6 heads or would that result in a drop in compression? would it be better to just have my heads done? or would it even be worth it to get them done or should I just save up for some stage 2 or 3 heads?

I can get some ls6 heads for around 500 if it makes any difference.

[SweetS10V8]

What do you have now?

[AmericanMuscle]

stock 2003 5.3l

I have a ls6 cam on the way and want to give the engine some grunt before it gets put in. I would like to make 350rwhp or more, but I will only be building up the top end of the engine this build. heads, cam, intake, etc. the engine only has 9000 on the od so I don't really want to tear in to the shortblock.

[SweetS10V8]

I would start with a FAST LSX intake manifold. Here is what it did for my truck, with no other mods or tuning. I just simply bolted it on and made another pull. It gained 27hp.

[RedLsxS10]

Quote: Originally Posted by SweetS10V8

I would start with a FAST LSX intake manifold. Here is what it did for my truck, with no other mods or tuning. I just simply bolted it on and made another pull. It gained 27hp.

Was that a 78, 90, or 92 FAST? Was that just the manifold or was that with the matching throttle body?

You got me thinking I need to sell the LS6 manifold that I just bought....

[SweetS10V8]

It was the FAST 90mm Intake with a 90mm GM drive by wire throttle body.

[jeffery_843]

Do you know the horsepower on an escalade 6.0 awd?