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4.8l truck motor-High revver?

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Old Dec 13, 2007 | 08:46 PM
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Default 4.8l truck motor-High revver?

First of I know revver is not a real word. This question got me thinking and wanted to get some opinions.

Originally Posted by Pyrotechnic
I know everyone wants the 6.0 and the 5.3 but I was looking at the 4.8 a little since it's not so much in demand and may end up being a good deal. It's the same block and heads as the 5.3, but it has a 3.27 stroke crank and 6.278 long rods vs. the 6.098 rods that the 5.3/6.0 have.

3.27 stroke and 6.278 rods means a rod/stroke ratio of 1.92 which is VERY good. This is just a touch more than the 69 Z/28 302 (1.9 rod/stroke ratio). It should rev like crazy without too much stress on rotating assembly.

I'm just wondering with the stock rotating assembly, what kind of RPM's this motor could turn given the ideal cam and valve train.
So my question is the above statement relevant? Would a 4.8 be able to rev faster/higher than a 5.3/6.0? I can pick up a cheap 4.8 and was thinking a quick/high revving 4.8 with twins would be fun in a certain foreign car. So opinions/ideas.
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Old Dec 13, 2007 | 08:53 PM
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In my experience with these motors, they do seem to feel more rev happy than their bigger brothers.
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Old Dec 13, 2007 | 08:54 PM
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i have a 2000 chevy with the 4.8 stong little motor and i wouldnt be afraid of a 5.3, but mines a five spd. as far as a faster rev im not sure but my truck doesnt hesitate any. it would be a pretty cool build and different.
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Old Dec 14, 2007 | 12:00 PM
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Anymore opinions?
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Old Dec 14, 2007 | 12:07 PM
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The cranks in the 4.8L are weaker then the 3.622" that the 5.3L/6.0L and LS1 all share. In my opinion, it wouldn't be worth to build such a small engine, that is the same mentality of imports. You would spend the same amount to build that 4.8L as you would to build a 6.0L, yet the 6.0L would "rev" just as high and put down way more power per dollar.
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Old Dec 14, 2007 | 12:37 PM
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I'm going to build one for my AutoX BMW.

Sure it's a small motor, but at the ripe price free, what do I have to lose.

With the 4.8L and a 2100lb. BMW, you can't tell me it won't be fun. Heads/cam/tune would put it right at 380/320 @ fly and still cheaper than getting a LS or 6.0. Sure a LS or 6.0 would make more power, but I didn't get either of those for free.

Last edited by StrikeZero; Dec 14, 2007 at 12:47 PM.
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Old Dec 14, 2007 | 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by StrikeZero
I'm going to build one for my AutoX BMW.

Sure it's a small motor, but at the ripe price free, what do I have to lose.

With the 4.8L and a 2100lb. BMW, you can't tell me it won't be fun. Heads/cam/tune would put it right at 380/320 @ fly and still cheaper than getting a LS or 6.0. Sure a LS or 6.0 would make more power, but I didn't get either of those for free.
Ill pay you double what you paid for the 4.8

But yea I can get a 19k 4.8 for nearly half the cost of a similar condition 5.3/6.0 and there is a 300zx around the corner thats been sitting for a few years and needs motivation. My thinking isnt that of an import, but with the price difference and if it would be able to rev/faster higher(read quicker spool) than I would think it would be a fun drive.
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Old Dec 14, 2007 | 04:17 PM
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my dad's 02 4.8 revs great. no problems except for a little piston slap on cold start. its a good engine, but its power level is of a stock LT1.
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Old Dec 15, 2007 | 05:02 AM
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i've got a '00 4.8 V8 5 speed in my truck which is in my sig. Has a cold air and muffler and it revs fast for a truck. I love it. It'll pull 85+ in 3rd gear I'd say go for it~Cole~
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Old Dec 15, 2007 | 07:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Revelation Z28
my dad's 02 4.8 revs great. no problems except for a little piston slap on cold start. its a good engine, but its power level is of a stock LT1.
Well....I would say thats pretty impressive, considering a 292ci "TRUCK" that weighs around 6400 lbs runs with a stock 350ci 3400 lb car.
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Old Dec 15, 2007 | 08:46 AM
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Default Hairdryer Setup w/4.8 crank/rods

Here's where it gets neat! A 6.0L piston and a 4.8 piston have the same compression height.

A 6.0L block with lq9 or LS2 pistons and a 4.8 crank/rod assembly would be a nice combo, almost the same configuration as an early 327 except with the much longer rod ratio. Tailor your head chamber size to the compression you want for your application (N/A or Boost ).

Due to it's low piston speed and increased piston dwell, this combo should respond well to turbocharging, especially with two small turbos sized for around 2.7L each.
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Old Dec 15, 2007 | 08:56 AM
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Ive got a complete 4.8 (91,5xx miles) w/ wiring harness Ill sell you...cheap.
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Old Dec 15, 2007 | 10:31 AM
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Originally Posted by scatillac
Here's where it gets neat! A 6.0L piston and a 4.8 piston have the same compression height.

A 6.0L block with lq9 or LS2 pistons and a 4.8 crank/rod assembly would be a nice combo, almost the same configuration as an early 327 except with the much longer rod ratio. Tailor your head chamber size to the compression you want for your application (N/A or Boost ).

Due to it's low piston speed and increased piston dwell, this combo should respond well to turbocharging, especially with two small turbos sized for around 2.7L each.
Sounds like a good idea but have a few concerns. I know the 6.0 pistons weigh quite a bit more than the 4.8 pistons(believe 24 grams) so wouldnt that throw off the balance of the crank? Also from what ive read the Lq4 and lq9 both have 71cc heads, what changes the compression ratio? and if i used say the lq9 pistons what chamber size would i need to drop the compression into a boost friendly zone? Also what advantage would this have over just boosting a 5.3?

Im not sure what piston dwell is but ill look it up. Dont know much on the technical side but im open to learn plenty.
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Old Dec 15, 2007 | 01:31 PM
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Originally Posted by 408z28
Well....I would say thats pretty impressive, considering a 292ci "TRUCK" that weighs around 6400 lbs runs with a stock 350ci 3400 lb car.
the 4.8 turns out 275hp like the LT. i didnt even say it runs the same times.
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Old Dec 16, 2007 | 11:00 PM
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Also was just thinking if i did get the 4.8 and later I wanted more power from it I could just bore it out to 5.7. My goals are modest to start, mid 12s on a stock motor with boost so i believe i could get it done with the smaller 4.8
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