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Mileage and Performance Mods...

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Old 08-24-2011, 08:14 AM
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Default Mileage and Performance Mods...

Hey All!

I have a 5.3L LM7 engine in my 2000 Silverado. I've owned the truck since new and have taken really good care of it. It's never really been driven hard or abused and I've kept up with maintenance really well.

Currently, I'm at about 128,000 miles.

My question is, what's the life expectancy of this engine and what can I expect from mild performance mods at this point?

I've heard of some people actually RACING LS engines and doing major mods at 100,000+ miles and the latest issue of Truckin' Magazine sets life expectancy at 200,000+.

I'm at the point where I'm doing a good amount of work on the truck - rebuilt rear, new brake and fuel lines, fuel pump, etc. and it's natural to want to replace stuff under the hood with upgraded performance parts.

Should I save my time and money under the hood for another 30,000 miles and just rebuild/replace the possibly tired 5.3L or is there still a lot of life left for a street truck?

Thanks a lot!

Adam
Old 08-24-2011, 01:07 PM
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If properly cared for ( and it seems your truck is ) then you got plenty of life in it still. I've noticed as my car approaches 100 000miles that little things are starting to go that are not really engine related...and are usually easy fixes.

The 5.3 has plenty of potential, and when it finally does go you can always swap your mods over to another block.
Old 08-24-2011, 02:44 PM
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Originally Posted by IRONFIST
If properly cared for ( and it seems your truck is ) then you got plenty of life in it still. I've noticed as my car approaches 100 000miles that little things are starting to go that are not really engine related...and are usually easy fixes.

The 5.3 has plenty of potential, and when it finally does go you can always swap your mods over to another block.
exactly right, ive seen 300k+ 5.3's, really good engines
Old 08-24-2011, 04:04 PM
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Thanks, guys!

It's been an incredible engine. It's needed nothing so far - not even a water pump...

Adam
Old 08-24-2011, 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted by SilveradoOn35s
Thanks, guys!

It's been an incredible engine. It's needed nothing so far - not even a water pump...

Adam
Stop it! You're going to give the Honda guys a heart attack!
Old 08-25-2011, 06:50 AM
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Originally Posted by wav3form
Stop it! You're going to give the Honda guys a heart attack!
Why? What's the story with Honda and water pumps?

Adam
Old 08-29-2011, 08:13 PM
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192,898 on my 1998 LS1 Z28 drive it every day. I have owned a LS1 with 233,000 on it and it still ran even after being abused by previous owner. You have nothing to worry about as long its maintained
Old 08-29-2011, 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by SilveradoOn35s
Why? What's the story with Honda and water pumps?

Adam
basically they want to be king of the "reliability" and "longetivity" realm since they are no where near being the king of the "speed" realm lol
Old 08-30-2011, 05:36 PM
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It was just a jab at the honda fans who think only 4-cyl econo-boxes can be reliable.
Old 08-30-2011, 09:48 PM
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I have a 2000 z71 with 253,000 miles and still going strong.She has been turning 35's from the begining (400 miles) and I run her pretty hard.I put long tube headers and off road y with a tune around 208,000 best mods yet.Good luck with your truck its just a baby still
Old 09-02-2011, 06:35 PM
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I drove a 99 chevy truck to a guys house from an auction for him. Think it had 200,xxx miles on it. Had the 5.3 in it. Stout as an ox. Sucker would scream. Guy up the road from me has a 5.7 vortec in a Z71 and hes got like 260,xxx miles and it runs perfect. Few more chevy's I know with over 200,000 miles on them that run good. Sometimes the transmission is a different story though.
Old 09-04-2011, 06:27 PM
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If its properly maintained and you replace the parts that get worn out and old, technically a car can last forever.
Old 09-07-2011, 08:48 AM
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Originally Posted by -JP-
I have a 2000 z71 with 253,000 miles and still going strong.She has been turning 35's from the begining (400 miles) and I run her pretty hard.I put long tube headers and off road y with a tune around 208,000 best mods yet.Good luck with your truck its just a baby still
This makes me happy...

Adam
Old 09-07-2011, 09:26 PM
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My buddies 1999 silverado with the 5.3 had 230000 hard miles on it when he sold it was still running perfect
Old 09-08-2011, 12:31 PM
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maintenance is everything. I try and stay on top of it while just replacing little things here and there. doing your own labor also saves tons of cash.
Old 09-08-2011, 01:32 PM
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here are a couple of photos of her hope you dont mind

This is a little over a yard of crushed stone right around 1.4 ton "not one of my brightest moments but had to get it done" had to make 3 trips like this


Puting a new patio in was the reason for the stone here is a side view "thank god for helper springs"


cutting down and moving a huge tree by dads house


and a little play time



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