30th t/a

iTrader: (51)

How many miles were on your 4.8/5.3/6.0 when you bought them?
Is it worth paying the extra money for a low mile engine?

alexcoreas

iTrader: (1)

I paid $750 for an 02 5.3 with 27k miles.

Use car-part.com

2005vetteTT

iTrader: (1)

Most guys run 100k+ motors and are fine.

LS1NOVA

iTrader: (12)

05 L33 5.3 137,000 miles $550

turbocamaro125

iTrader: (3)

i work at a gm dealer and get 4.8 and 5.3's for 350 08 and newer

LS1NOVA

iTrader: (12)

Yes but they need work. If they dont, your scamming GM.

jt76

iTrader: (10)

The 6.0 I bought had 110k on it.. I only bought it for the block, crank and heads ( i put forged rods and pistons in) Upon taking it apart the bearings were like brand new, motor was spotless inside. I should have just boosted it

dragcamaro

bought a lq4 long block for 450 with 114k on it, took it apart and wished i didnt because it was clean as a pin. bearings looked good and there was hardly any wear on the bores.

denmah

iTrader: (2)

all of ours are 160+ K at least and they are ******* GEM's they work great.

every now and then we fire em and they have lifter noise from sitting in the yard without oil for a long time, but a few 7k rev limiter bangs later they quiet up from then on and are nice and quiet after that.

we've had really ugly motors make 600rwhp through automatics

SSZ

seems as though these engines are just getting warmed up at 100000 miles. LOL.

30th t/a

iTrader: (51)

Maybe Im thinking too much into this decision but which would you guys go for, a 2006 LQ9 with 167k on it or a 2003 LQ9 with 117k....same price. Thats what im faced with right now. I know the 06 would have the better rods and its obviously a newer motor but with 50K more miles.

91sonomast

Hmmmm that is tough. Buy the newer one and pull the heads off when you get home, check for cross hatching still nice and shiny. Idk if I'd pull the pan and caps, I've never seen one that looked rough unless it had the **** kicked out of it.

SSZ

yeah that is a tough one for sure. I myself like the idea of the better rods. Dont know of any other advantages. Someone else may know of some that the 06 has. Maybe pull a valve cover on each one and judge by the condition inside it. Maybe the one with higher mileage is cleaner inside and therefore you would think had more regular oil changes or better oil was used???? SOmetimes you can judge the better engine by the amount of crud buildup in the valve covers. You should be able to tell the difference between and engine that had 10000 mile intervals and one that had 25000 mile intervals. Know what i mean?

94'BLKBRD

iTrader: (76)

Judging by the pictures you posted in the Conversions section I think they lied to you about the miles.

Packy

iTrader: (11)

I picked up an 30k mile 2006 5.3 shortblock for $350. It is my standby engine.

69-chvl

iTrader: (11)

I have a 03 LQ4, 117k miles. Was 1200.00 delivered complete. Dam thing makes no noises, no leaks, and no smoke! Purs like a kitten at 650 rpm and 21" of vac.

30th t/a

iTrader: (51)

Thanks for the help guys. I guess I shouldnt be too concerned if the motor has high miles on it. Thats nice to know.

denmah

iTrader: (2)

we dont even take them apart, we just fire them and boost them down teh driveway

jt76

iTrader: (10)

I would go with the pre '05 motors, later ones are GenIV and pose issues to our stock harness and PCM.

BottleFedZ346

iTrader: (17)

This!

Picked mine up for $600 with 43k on it.....