5.7 or 5.3 tell me what y'all think... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Harpie · 04-11-2012, 05:38 PM

Ok I'm in the middle of my frame off resto and had planned to go with a 5.3 but have had a nice offer for my complete Tahoe I was gonna remove it from. So I also have access to a low mileage 97 suburban with a Vortec 5.7 complete with tranny well I have the whole dang truck so I have just about everything I would need so what would y'all do I'm a bit torn but I know both options would make a great ill driver.
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grancuda · 04-11-2012, 05:50 PM

5.7

Fldawg · 04-11-2012, 06:05 PM

5.3 is a good engine, but you can't beat a 5.7. beside the 327 the 350 is the best all round engine chevy built, bar none

swammie911 · 04-11-2012, 08:01 PM

I have the 5.7 in mine and really like it!

Ackattack · 04-11-2012, 08:24 PM

I'd go 5.3L, I was never impressed with the vortec 350 in my 97 'hoe

Hubscrub · 04-11-2012, 10:06 PM

5.7 is fine with me i've never had a problem with my vortec in my daily its a 5.0 though but its stout i do every thing with it

5150.4.67 · 04-12-2012, 12:54 AM

The architecture and of the Gen III/IV engines is far superior. However, the old SBC is much more economical to rebuild. But that savings will likely exit out the tailpipe, especially with fuel approaching $5/gallon.

67c10rustbuket · 04-12-2012, 09:44 AM

5.3 all the way!! This coming from a guy who is building a truck with a 97 'hoe vortec 5.7and I like it alot don't get me wrong, I just prefer the genIII design. I got a sweet deal on a wrecked 97 tahoe so that made up my mind for me.

BLOWN72 · 04-12-2012, 12:40 PM

Can't go wrong with either motor. I had the 5.7 in my 97 Sierra sbsc and with little work that 5.7 was a mean motor and would surprise a lot of other cars and trucks that pulled up beside it.

BOHICA · 04-12-2012, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 5150.4.67

The architecture and of the Gen III/IV engines is far superior. However, the old SBC is much more economical to rebuild. But that savings will likely exit out the tailpipe, especially with fuel approaching $5/gallon.

Exactly. As much as I like it, the 350 has had its day. It's still a good engine, but the LS series is much stronger and more capable.

ctandc · 04-12-2012, 01:01 PM

Both engine are good engines when they are running properly.

Beside pure personal preference, you need to look at what each engine needs to be put in your truck, up and running, and add each route up and see which makes the most sense.

Stock for stock, power is going to go in the favor of the 5.3, if you have the tune on the money.

Stock '97 5.7 Vortec was 225HP @ 4600 RPM and 330 ft/lbs of torque @ 2800RPM.

Stock 5.3 is up on the 5.7 in HP (most were around 290-300) and they made about the same torque numbers (albeit at over 4000RPM vs the low end grunt of the 5.7).

bbadfred · 04-12-2012, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BOHICA

Exactly. As much as I like it, the 350 has had its day. It's still a good engine, but the LS series is much stronger and more capable.

Genlll If u are gonna drive it lot of miles. A well tuned 350 will get fair mileage, a ls motor will get better and the PCM can be tuned for more horsepower and still get good mileage.
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Harpie · 04-12-2012, 01:36 PM

Everybody has good points guess I just need to decide. If I sell the Tahoe then I'll have some cash to put into my build and I have a suburban that's free to me. So just gonna hafta decide ugh!
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m6z · 04-12-2012, 10:35 PM

5.3 all the way. Gen III & IV are the way to go.

JKady · 04-12-2012, 11:02 PM

I'm going to be building a 5.7 as soon as I find a good core for my truck. The LS series engines are great, 5.3 is far from my favorite (mmmm... piston slap!) in the line but it's not a bad engine. 5.7's are cheap, and the most modern 350 you can get. If you're going fuel injected, the LS based is the way to go IMO, the induction on the 5.7 is what holds it back power wise in stock form. If going carbureted, the gap closes up quite a bit, especially if you couple a cam to some light porting in the vortec 350 heads.

The thing about the 5.7 is that if you already run an SBC, it bolts in, you can use your headers/mounts/accessories. I'll be putting a carb atop the one that goes in my truck though, I'm making moves for performance, not economy. If I was concerned with economy, I wouldn't run around in a 40 year old V8 pickup truck.

c1069 · 04-12-2012, 11:49 PM

^^^
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04-11-2012, 05:38 PM	#1
Harpie Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Durant OK Posts: 372	5.7 or 5.3 tell me what y'all think... Ok I'm in the middle of my frame off resto and had planned to go with a 5.3 but have had a nice offer for my complete Tahoe I was gonna remove it from. So I also have access to a low mileage 97 suburban with a Vortec 5.7 complete with tranny well I have the whole dang truck so I have just about everything I would need so what would y'all do I'm a bit torn but I know both options would make a great ill driver. Posted via Mobile Device

04-11-2012, 05:50 PM	#2
grancuda Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Central OK Posts: 396	Re: 5.7 or 5.3 tell me what y'all think... 5.7

04-11-2012, 06:05 PM	#3
Fldawg Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Lynn Haven Florida Posts: 1,019	Re: 5.7 or 5.3 tell me what y'all think... 5.3 is a good engine, but you can't beat a 5.7. beside the 327 the 350 is the best all round engine chevy built, bar none

04-11-2012, 08:01 PM	#4
swammie911 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 17	Re: 5.7 or 5.3 tell me what y'all think... I have the 5.7 in mine and really like it! Attached Images

04-11-2012, 08:24 PM	#5
Ackattack Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Valley Center KS Posts: 3,524	Re: 5.7 or 5.3 tell me what y'all think... I'd go 5.3L, I was never impressed with the vortec 350 in my 97 'hoe __________________ Project Bruiser: 68 Pro-Touring C-10 5.3L / 4L60E Project Ironhide: 97 GMC Crew Cab 4x4 Cummins SOLD: '69 GMC 1/2T SWB TBI'd: Project No Buck Assembly Manual Index Sign up Thread!!! Factory Service Manual Index

04-11-2012, 10:06 PM	#6
Hubscrub Cruzin Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: on the road Posts: 2,835	Re: 5.7 or 5.3 tell me what y'all think... 5.7 is fine with me i've never had a problem with my vortec in my daily its a 5.0 though but its stout i do every thing with it __________________ Lime Wife's 67https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...wZEMODaS2d94u8 Back to the Fifties 59 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...NAeStpydfrcj_U Proverbs 3:5,6 "Thanks to the Interstate Highway System, it is now possible to travel across the country from coast to coast without seeing anything."Charles Kuralt In memory of our first baby daughter, daddy and mommy love you. Danica Grace 6/26/14

04-12-2012, 12:54 AM	#7
5150.4.67 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Modesto, Ca Posts: 411	Re: 5.7 or 5.3 tell me what y'all think... The architecture and of the Gen III/IV engines is far superior. However, the old SBC is much more economical to rebuild. But that savings will likely exit out the tailpipe, especially with fuel approaching $5/gallon.

04-12-2012, 09:44 AM	#8
67c10rustbuket Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Mustang, Oklahoma Posts: 2,806	Re: 5.7 or 5.3 tell me what y'all think... 5.3 all the way!! This coming from a guy who is building a truck with a 97 'hoe vortec 5.7and I like it alot don't get me wrong, I just prefer the genIII design. I got a sweet deal on a wrecked 97 tahoe so that made up my mind for me. __________________ Dan <---(my name) 67 SWB C10 project "GEORGIA"-59 Brookwood 2dr wag...Next project-03 Tahoe 4x4 5.3 family ride-07 Hondur Accord, commuter car

04-12-2012, 12:40 PM	#9
BLOWN72 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Normal, IL Posts: 82	Re: 5.7 or 5.3 tell me what y'all think... Can't go wrong with either motor. I had the 5.7 in my 97 Sierra sbsc and with little work that 5.7 was a mean motor and would surprise a lot of other cars and trucks that pulled up beside it. __________________ 1972 C10 SHORT BED, BLACK ON BLACK, ZZ3 CRATE MOTOR WITH B&M 250 SUPERCHARGER, HEADERS, 350TURBO TRANS, BOOST RETARD, POSI, 373 GEARS 1966 MUSTANG COUPLE, 289 HIPO MOTOR, CAM, 650 HOLLEY CARB, FULL LENGTH HEADERS, 2.5" FLOWMASTER EXHAUST, HURST SHIFTER, 373 GEARS POSI 2006 MONTE CARLO, FLOWMASTER MUFFLERS, K&N INTAKE, EXTERIOR MODS

04-12-2012, 01:01 PM	#11
ctandc Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: VA Posts: 284	Re: 5.7 or 5.3 tell me what y'all think... Both engine are good engines when they are running properly. Beside pure personal preference, you need to look at what each engine needs to be put in your truck, up and running, and add each route up and see which makes the most sense. Stock for stock, power is going to go in the favor of the 5.3, if you have the tune on the money. Stock '97 5.7 Vortec was 225HP @ 4600 RPM and 330 ft/lbs of torque @ 2800RPM. Stock 5.3 is up on the 5.7 in HP (most were around 290-300) and they made about the same torque numbers (albeit at over 4000RPM vs the low end grunt of the 5.7). __________________ ____________________________

04-12-2012, 01:36 PM	#13
Harpie Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Durant OK Posts: 372	Re: 5.7 or 5.3 tell me what y'all think... Everybody has good points guess I just need to decide. If I sell the Tahoe then I'll have some cash to put into my build and I have a suburban that's free to me. So just gonna hafta decide ugh! Posted via Mobile Device

04-12-2012, 10:35 PM	#14
m6z Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Pittsburg, KS Posts: 2,466	Re: 5.7 or 5.3 tell me what y'all think... 5.3 all the way. Gen III & IV are the way to go. __________________ Doug Looking for a 67-72 short bed driver.....

04-12-2012, 11:02 PM	#15
JKady Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Roy, WA Posts: 53	Re: 5.7 or 5.3 tell me what y'all think... I'm going to be building a 5.7 as soon as I find a good core for my truck. The LS series engines are great, 5.3 is far from my favorite (mmmm... piston slap!) in the line but it's not a bad engine. 5.7's are cheap, and the most modern 350 you can get. If you're going fuel injected, the LS based is the way to go IMO, the induction on the 5.7 is what holds it back power wise in stock form. If going carbureted, the gap closes up quite a bit, especially if you couple a cam to some light porting in the vortec 350 heads. The thing about the 5.7 is that if you already run an SBC, it bolts in, you can use your headers/mounts/accessories. I'll be putting a carb atop the one that goes in my truck though, I'm making moves for performance, not economy. If I was concerned with economy, I wouldn't run around in a 40 year old V8 pickup truck.

04-12-2012, 11:49 PM	#16
c1069 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: McFarland CA Posts: 1,392	Re: 5.7 or 5.3 tell me what y'all think... ^^^ Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Pancho 69 c/10 step side 454/400 with 3.07



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