1970 ls_c10

iTrader: (1)

i am doing a ls swap into my 70 chevy c10 and i bought a 99 Silverado wrecked for $800, anyways i didnt realize it til yesterday... but its a 4.8, i thought it was a 5.3... would I be able to pull 400+ hp out of a 4.8 with heads cam intake and f-body headers? i plan on using a f14 cam, 799 heads, and either a ls6 intake bbk or a fast 90 or 92... which ever one i can find for a decent price used, anyways Im just trying to decide if I sell everything and find a 5.3 or 6.0 or if i can meet my goal with the 4.8. i know that 4.8s have been up to 1000hp plus but that's with turbos etc, for now i want to stay NA and later I might go to twins...

thompson

iTrader: (4)

You can get away with a VERY small cam. Do not try a monster power cam or you will end up with idle issues due to the short stroke and small cubes. If you would like to get the motor set up ship us the short block and we can take your 4.8 and turn it into a 5.7 with new pistons, rings, bearings, balance, GM crank, and blueprint the block in your existing block for $1519. You will have no problem making the power with that combo.

Cronic_Moronic

4.8s safely rev higher than other LS engines - You can make up the loss of static displacement with dynamic displacement fairly easily.

cbrodine

With what brand parts?

1970 ls_c10

iTrader: (1)

having it bored at the moment is out of the question, i simply dont have that kind of funds at the moment, most of the parts im going to look into are used... I am in the middle of doing a frame off on this truck and I cant dump that much more in the engine right now, and I do understand the point that the 4.8 revs higher.. but revs and power are not always directly correlated

1970 ls_c10

iTrader: (1)

also just kinda curious what kind of safe rpms are we talking about with the 4.8?

cbrodine

Just outta curiosity, how did you not know it was a 4.8? Did the seller say it was a 5.3? Where you mislead or not paying attention? I just would have made damn sure it was what I wanted before handing over $800 and dragging it home. I'm not trying to put you down or pick on you, I'm just curious how it happened...do the 4.8 and 5.3 look that similar?

1981TA

iTrader: (7)

I'd be interested knowing what brands on the parts as well. I'll be starting with a 2000 LS1 block though (lucked into a spare, might as well plan for its use now ).

murphinator

iTrader: (2)

externally identical , and stamped 4.8/5.3 , best way to tell them apart without disassembly is to pull a plug and see if it has dish or flat top pistons , only 4.8 came with flat tops

leon phelps

http://www.pera.org/articles/eb120317.htm

Collin,

unless you are tearing the whole engine apart, which the seller will not let you do, then it is a crapshoot.


the rhetoric sounds great that you would make sure, but the reality is that the hp differences are small so why be concerned?

snyousef

iTrader: (11)

Yea good luck looking through the plug hole....it's almost impossible to identify the difference unless you pull the heads and can see the pistons....they are identical otherwise.

OP since you have the 4.8 already just pursue your goals with it, it's still an LSx and a decent V8 motor.....lots ended up with 4.8s by accident and made decent power boosting them with budget turbo builds.....I don't know if you can get to 400hp NA....even with a 5.3 I don't know if it's easy to hit 400hp NA but both of these engines make good turbo builds usually....

cbrodine

Thanks, cause I didn't know. I was wondering how one could be fooled. Glad my LQ4 has 6.0l cast on the end. I agree with others though...I think the OP should just carry on with his build.

Rick Speed

iTrader: (55)

Well if you bought the whole truck it should have the label telling you what engine it is.

Fkns10

True it should have been easily deciphered with the whole truck. 5.3 are VIN T or Z and there is always stamp on the emissions label. oh well I say just keep on trucking, and If you really wanted a 5.3 you can just get crank and rods from a 5.3 and put it in your 4.8. wallah! 5.3 with flat tops for higher CR

thompson

iTrader: (4)

That would be a basic short using TMS Hypereutectic pistons and TMS ring package, Clevite main/rod bearings, Durabond cam bearings, Balancing the rotating assy and Blueprinting the block in a customer supplied core. We do offer this with no core as well as with forged upgrades. Give us a call with any questions on the build.

superbean

I vote boost. Most people think going NA is cheaper, consider this. How much does a decent set of headers cost - at minmum 400 bucks. Consider that you are already going to have to get a harness reworked and tune, might as well tune for turbo. yes there is a few extra dollars in tuning equipment, fuel system, but in the long run, $ for $ it would be ideal. Many people have been successful taking flipped or reversed truck manifolds, making a custom y and running it into cheap (ebay, on3, masterpower), or used turbos. Even BW S series turbos are around 700 new.. not unrealisitic. 4.8/5.3 make easy power with a turbo.

murphinator

iTrader: (2)

rent or borrow a borescope

cbrodine

And what machine work is done with that $1519 package?

vnmous97

if you did go turbo the 4.8L is what i would choose for a budget build, they have the lowest compression of any truck engine if memory serves correct the compression ratio is 9.5:1 .. change the head gasket and run 8-10lbs

thompson

iTrader: (4)

It will recieve:
Bore, Hone, Surface and cleaning.
You will get new cam/main/rod bearings. The rods will be cleaned and inspected, the crank will be polished, and you will get a new set of TMS Hypereutectic pistons with TMS rings. The crank will be balanced and all assembled back in the customers existing block. If the block requires a line hone or the crank needs to be turned it will be an additional cost.