--- title: "Here’s How to Add 200 HP to a Junkyard LS Engine Without Boost or Nitrous" date: "2024-07-16" modified: "2024-07-16" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/heres-how-to-add-200-hp-to-a-junkyard-ls-engine-without-boost-or-nitrous" categories: - "Chevrolet News" - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Watch This" tags: - "Chevrolet" --- # Here’s How to Add 200 HP to a Junkyard LS Engine Without Boost or Nitrous ![]() *\Richard Holdener via YouTube\* Turbos and superchargers have made extra power almost easy to come by. Thanks to them, even tiny four-cylinders can make the type of numbers that used to be reserved for big-displacement engines. That's why forced induction is the preferred route for so many, though there are still some left who want to keep their projects all-motor. It's tougher, no doubt, especially if you also rule out spray like nitrous. Thankfully, dyno guru and YouTuber [Richard Holdener]() can show you how to get the job done with an inexpensive junkyard [Chevy]() LS V8 and some upgraded hardware. First things first: Go and find yourself a 5.3-liter [LS]() with flat-top pistons. Only certain iterations have them, such as the L33, but they're essential components in maximizing power with this formula. And since adding flat-top pistons is much more work and money, it's more economical to find a junkyard engine that already has 'em. If you can source one, you only need to modify the top end to make an additional 200 horsepower from a stock block 5.3. ![]() ![]() Holdener took a stock, flat-top 5.3-liter LS and put it on an engine dyno to find a baseline power rating. The results were as predicted: 342 peak horsepower and 379 lb-ft of torque. Obviously, that power rating will vary based on the engine's condition, but you get the idea. Onto the initial round of mods. ![]() ![]() An upgraded camshaft is the single biggest help in making more power from a naturally aspirated LS. For his first test, Holdener used a cam with a .552 lift, 212/22x-degree duration, and a 107-degree lobe separation angle here but mentions there are a ton of great aftermarket cams you can find that have the potential to bump power by 65-70 hp. This one added 80 hp, lifting the junkyard, flat-top 5.3-liter from 342 hp all the way up to 422 hp. Taking it one step further, Holdener added new ported heads and an upgraded intake manifold, which increased output to 484 hp. For those keeping score, that's up 142 hp from the stock V8 simply by adding off-the-shelf parts. You can make even more power without boost or spray if you want to keep going. Holdener added custom ported and milled heads as well as a better intake manifold, which helped the junkyard engine pump out 510 hp. He didn't stop there, either, as he kept those Trick Flow heads but added an even beefier Brian Tooley Racing Stage 4 LS3 cam and BTR Trinity intake manifold with a 102-millimeter throttle body. This finally brought it up to 542 hp, hitting that magic 200 hp mark. ![]() ![]() Now, none of this is exactly cheap. But if you can find one for next to nothing at a junkyard, then it becomes far more cost-effective. If you want to keep the signature naturally aspirated sound, throttle response, and power delivery of an LS V8 while making more power, this seems like the way to do it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5SASeSaiYpA *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()