I’m looking for some advice on what direction to take. I currently have a 1998 C1500 with the original 350 engine, and it’s getting tired and needs attention. Should I pull it out and rebuild it from the ground up, including freshening up the stock transmission, or go for a swap like a 5.3 with a new transmission? I’m considering budget first, then power, and while I’m not looking for the cheapest option, I want to increase horsepower while keeping costs reasonable. Maybe there’s a better subreddit for this, but I’m starting here.
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I don’t think a 5.3 would make you much happier. Rebuild the 5.7 and save some money—it’s a great engine. Consider adding a street-strip cam to it.
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I’d recommend rebuilding the stock 350. Using the factory Vortec heads with flat-top pistons, a bigger cam, and long tube headers creates a great setup for the same cost as a stock rebuild. Alternatively, you could spend a bit more to bore and stroke it to 383 cubic inches.
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The 5.7 is a solid engine and can be rebuilt affordably. You can significantly improve its performance with the right parts. Doing the same for the transmission will make you even happier.
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GMT400 website is a fantastic forum for this kind of information. I’ve been working on the 350 in my '98 K1500, and it’s really straightforward to work on. I just installed brand-new, not remanufactured heads, which gave it a significant boost. I refreshed the bottom end last year.
If you’re considering an LS swap, I’d recommend looking into the 6.0.
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I’m in a similar situation with my older truck. An LS swap can get pricey quickly, so I’m considering a 383 from Blueprint Engines, which costs $7000.
If you decide to go the LS route, check out Texas Speed—they have everything you need.
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