Thread: Is the Gen III Vortec L33 motor considered an LS?

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For the life of me I can't get a straight answer on this! From what I gather the Gen III vortec L33 aluminum block/head motor is not technically an LS motor? But people often call it an LS because it's so similar to an actual LS? Anyone know the facts on this?

It's an LS. Technically, the LS designated engines came in cars, but all Gen III engines are considered LS engines, as far as I know.

The L33 is actually a good engine to consider for a swap. The heads are very similar to the LS6 heads.

That's the same thing I've found too. The aluminum block makes for nice weight savings too.

The L33 is an all aluminum (with cast iron cylinder liners) 5.3L (325cc), Gen III small block engine that was used in Chevy and GM trucks between 2005 and 2007. It was also known as the “Vortec 5300 H.O.” In stock form it put out a respectable 310 HP and 335 ft/lbs of torque.

They’re available on eBay and Craig’s list for a thousand bucks and can be a fun motor to build. They came stock with a very conservative cam (193 degree duration at .050 on the intake). A cam from an LS3 (bumps to 204 degrees at .050) is a drop in upgrade that’s good for another 50 HP so in a lighter car with some tall gears this can be a great engine while retaining the drivability of a modern era V8. An LS9 cam (211 degrees at .050) would be a real increase (75+ HP) but would need new springs. Either cam would require new lifters, timing set (with a LS2 chain damper) as new thick-wall pushrods but cam swaps to larger size/longer duration typically require a few additional upgrades.

From the rear of the engine, it’s all the same and will accept all popular bell housing/automatic transmission options.

Would love to see a build thread if you're thinking about one.

Best,
Glenn

Thanks fellas. The 5.3 Gen III all aluminum L33 is indeed an LS!! I think I'm going to do a cheap turbo build with one I found at a local junk yard. A great way to spend my quarantine time

Originally Posted by sbflyer

Thanks fellas. The 5.3 Gen III all aluminum L33 is indeed an LS!! I think I'm going to do a cheap turbo build with one I found at a local junk yard. A great way to spend my quarantine time

Cam from an LS9 would be great with a turbo

Originally Posted by sbflyer

Thanks fellas. The 5.3 Gen III all aluminum L33 is indeed an LS!! I think I'm going to do a cheap turbo build with one I found at a local junk yard. A great way to spend my quarantine time

I really want to put a turbo on my 5.3 in my Camaro but I need to get my 40 running before all of that.

Man, some quarantine time would be great.

This morning as they checked my temp at the time clock it was normal. Again.. dammit. A 1.8* temp is all that stands between me and a two week (unpaid) vacation.

I wanna tape a hand warmer to my forehead.

If you did that there would be 2 weeks no dumpster diving