Fuel Delivery Showdown

Dyno battle between LS Swap 5.3L direct-injected L83 and LM7

- Steven Rupp

We were a bit skeptical of the direct injection (DI) 5.3L L83 engines when they first started showing up in the salvage channels. After all, the 5.3L LM7 was a proven engine-swap powerhouse for those on a budget; this meant the new DI L83 mills had some very capable shoes to fill. The 5.3L LM7, and other LS variants, are currently the go-to choices of the performance world. Although it can be argued that position had as much to do with price and availability as the actual performance. The Gen III and Gen IV 5.3L engines offer impressive performance, especially compared to the small-blocks they replaced at GM. Making them even more desirable was the fact that sizable power gains were just a cam swap and valvespring upgrade away. And that’s not even getting into the boost side of the equation, where big power can be had for just a few dollars more. Cheap and powerful are always going to be a popular combination, but if these tests are any indication, the Gen V L83 might become just as popular, especially once they become more prevalent in the wrecking yards. One thing we know for sure after this initial testing, the new L83 5.3L makes some serious power.

Sources Gandrud Chevrolet; 800.242.2844; email:[e-mail]

Holley/Hooker; 270.782.2900;holley.com