Thank you for the correction, I was unaware. Do you know what vin code the LH6 is?


First introduced in 2005, the Generation IV Vortec 5300 engines share all the improvements and refinements found in other Generation IV engines. At present, four versions of the 5300 are in production: 2 iron block versions (LY5 and LMG) and 2 aluminum block versions (LH6 and LC9). All versions feature the Active Fuel Management system.

[edit] LH6
The LH6 with Active Fuel Management replaced the LM4 for 2005, and was the first of the Generation IV small block V8 truck engines to go into production. It is the aluminum block counterpart to the LY5.

LH6 applications:

2004–2009 Chevrolet TrailBlazer including EXT (through 2006)
2005–2009 GMC Envoy Denali
2005–2006 GMC Envoy XL
2005 GMC Envoy XUV
2005–2007 Buick Rainier
2005–2009 Saab 9-7X
2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
2007 GMC Sierra 1500

L33
The L33 (VIN code "B") is an aluminum block version of the LM7, and was referred to as the Vortec 5300 HO in marketing materials. Power increased by 15 hp (11 kW), to 310 hp (230 kW), over the LM7, and torque was unchanged. It was only available on extended cab 4WD pickup trucks. Only 25% of trucks made in 2005 had the L33 engine.

L33 applications:

2005–2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4WD
2005–2007 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD

 

I doubt mine is in the L33 catagory...maybe the pistons would tell me?

 

No, they both have flat top pistons. As rojs234 said, check the timing cover. If the cover is plain with no sensor it is GenIII. If there is a sensor it is GenIV. Post pics of your timing cover if you can.

 

If it's an aluminum block, as noted in the title of this thread, it's an L33. Please post a pic of the crank & cam sensor & a pick looking @ the front of the engine. Really doesn't matter what PCM or wiring you use. What's important is that the PCM, wiring & sensors are a match. Hell, you could put 98 sensors in that thing & use a 98 PCM & wiring harness if you wanted to (with a new tune); as long as, the reluctor is the 24 tooth that has been discussed.

If you want to match the PCM & wiring to the specific model year's engine that you bought, we're gonna need to see the pics. Although, it looks like any of the 05-07 Sierra or Silverado PCM & harnesses are a match for your engine.

 

I am not so certain that all aluminum 5.3s are HOs. Keep in mind that the Trailblazers and its clones got the 5.3L as an option starting in 2004 or 2005. I had one and it had a 24 tooth reluctor and the knock sensors in the cam valley.

If it has knock sensors on the side of the block, then I believe you can safely assume that it is GenIV and has the 58 tooth reluctor. However, I am not 100% certain about that.

Andrew

 

It's really confusing, isn't it? There were 2 aluminum block 5.3 GEN lll's. In 2004, as you stated there was an aluminum block LM4 that was basically just a clone of the LM7 iron block 5.3 except for the block...same heads, same pistons and cam. As one of you stated, the L33 was the HO version and was only available in pick ups, not in SUVs. It was still a GEN lll, with better heads, more compression, and a slightly better cam for 310 HP. You say if it has knock sensors on the side of the block, it is a GEN lV and has a 58x reluctor. You are partly right. The GEN lV's do have the knock sensors on the sides of the block, but there were many GEN lVs with 24x reluctors. My friend's LH6 was 24x and my own LS2 6.0 is also 24x. You have to check the color of the plug on the crank sensor. I will say that I'm almost certain that all 5.3 GEN lV's had active fuel management (AFM or also called DOD) My friend's engine had all the parts for it, but it was not wired up to work. I've been told they were this way in the SUVs.

 

All GenIV 5.3s have AFM, but not all GenIV engines do.

 

Probably cant post pics myself....but I will take them and send so somebodys email for all to see......just need an adress.......will take these pics in the AM
Its all a mystery........even the experts cant agree. but is all interesting so lets get some clarification!

 

Some kind of Sensor on the Drivers side cam Timming chain cover...sent to a member..maybe he can post.
Thanks

 

Has cam sensor in timing cover... Its a GenIV.

 

Thanks for looking....what wheel do I have then?

 

I read the complete breakdown on this engine. Pretty sophisticated for what I am using it for. Even four of the lifters are different. What do you do about all the extras you dont need like AFM and getting rid of the lifters or do you etc.

 

Interesting..best way take pix to show post here then they would help ya better with pix.Easy to do.

 

As *COSTIGAN * said... cam sensor in timing cover, it's a GEN lV, and if it is 5.3, it has AFM ( DOD..displacement on demand). Most people delete the DOD to use in hot rod or engine swap applications. You still need to know if it is 24x or 58x reluctor. CHECK the color of the crank sensor plug!! No big deal.If you will type DOD delete in the box labeled "search" at the top of page, you can read lots of info about what you need to change to make these engines usable in most situations. We just recently did this to my friend's engine to use it in his '51 Ford pickup. I would be happy to answer questions you have on what is involved, but it would probably be better if you did the search first. Out of curiosity....are these new engines or do they have many , many miles on them. If two are for sale, do you have a price in mind yet and where in the country are you located?? While GEN lV all-aluminum 5.3's are desirable engines, it takes quite a bit of work and expense to make them usable in anything except their original use. Good luck! Ron

 

Very interesting.so I will do some searches......almost ready to put a carb on it and forget it

I bought three and they are gm surplus brand new. They had a spin test done on all three to make sure all specs were correct.

They are 2500.00 each and I have one for myself and sold one already. Have one left.

 

While GEN lV all-aluminum 5.3's are desirable engines, it takes quite a bit of work and expense to make them usable in anything except their original use. Good luck! Ron[/QUOTE]

What do you consider quite a bit of expense? That only relates to HP per dollar I suppose or a persons own pocketbook.

These engines cost 2k a peiece and are guaranteed and could not find any brand new engine with an aluminum block for that kind of money.

 

we have kits to get you up and running, chesk out our Ebay page in my sig.
Our PCM and harness kit is $500!!! This would be a base cal and everything you need.
Check it out, we also have complete kits with fuel system upgrades.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/E482-...Q5fCarQ5fParts

 

^^^

There you go JAC. Won't do any better for a set up that will work for what you have.

 

All I want to do is play to pay like the politicians..sounds good to me....Big Texas Thanks

 

Interesting thread. The motor I'm using in my '01 Jeep swap is an AL block GenIV LH6 5.3L pull out of an Envoy. It's an '05, so has the oddball E40 ECM, 24x sensor, knock sensors on sides of block, etc. I did swap the heads to TSP stg II and did a 224 cam swap before installing it. Also swapped out the goofy DOD lifters to traditionals. As said by someone else, all the DOD hardware was there, but disabled by GM via tune and lack of wiring harness to the oil passage solenoids. Apparently some silly issue with the exhaust tone in v4 mode and running out of time to figure it out is what I heard.