older vortecs vs 03+ question
older vortecs vs 03+ question doing some research and can't find an answer
why are the 99-03 5.3's cheaper than the 03+ ??
is it solely on the fact they have drive by wire or is there more to it.
found a 01 for dirt cheap and the newer ones are double the price with more miles
thanks
why are the 99-03 5.3's cheaper than the 03+ ??
is it solely on the fact they have drive by wire or is there more to it.
found a 01 for dirt cheap and the newer ones are double the price with more miles
thanks
TECH Regular
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 491
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From: Newberg, OR
Two main points I have heard, but I am sure there are others:
1) The older engines have a longer crank, that will only work with an older trans (turbo350/400 700-R4) or a 4L80e. The 03+ have an adapter that can be removed so they work with the 4L60e. One solution is to buy a new crank and then it won't make any difference.
2) The older engines have iron heads, and newer ones have aluminum. Again you can buy new heads.
I have a '99 vortec engine and it wasn't a big deal to me because of the price. I can afford to buy a new crank and keep my cost below the cost of a newer engines. And as far as the heads are concerned I was planning to swap those as well so it didn't matter what the engine came with originally.
Jess
1) The older engines have a longer crank, that will only work with an older trans (turbo350/400 700-R4) or a 4L80e. The 03+ have an adapter that can be removed so they work with the 4L60e. One solution is to buy a new crank and then it won't make any difference.
2) The older engines have iron heads, and newer ones have aluminum. Again you can buy new heads.
I have a '99 vortec engine and it wasn't a big deal to me because of the price. I can afford to buy a new crank and keep my cost below the cost of a newer engines. And as far as the heads are concerned I was planning to swap those as well so it didn't matter what the engine came with originally.
Jess
^ what you just posted only applies to 6.0 lq4 in 99-00 trucks.
rumor is that some early 4.8 manual trans had a long crank also, but i have not personally verified that.
doesnt apply to 5.3 at all.
rumor is that some early 4.8 manual trans had a long crank also, but i have not personally verified that.
doesnt apply to 5.3 at all.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 7
From: Beebe, Arkansas
The 99-00 early 4.8L used with the NV3500 had the long crank as well.
Years Liters Casting # Trans Flange Thickness
1999-2000 4.8L 312 V-8 M/T 1.250 thick flange
1999-2000 6.0L 215 V-8 M/T or A/T 1.250 thick flange
1999-2005 4.8L 482 V-8 A/T .857 thick flange
2001-2005 4.8L 482 V-8 M/T .857 thick flange
1999-2005 5.3L 216 V-8 A/T .857 thick flange
1997-2005 5.7L 216 V-8 .857 thick flange
2001-2005 6.0L 216 V-8 M/T or A/T .857 thick flange
The 5.3L never had the longer crank. Only the early 00-99 4.8L used with the NV3500 manual and the 6.0L LQ4 iron head 99-00 units.
The 5.3L was never used with a manual in the trucks.
The only motor using the spacer now are the those used with the 4l80e.
The only motor to use iron heads was the 99-00 LQ4 long crank motor.
DBC is a factor as well as most have lots of miles now. Also demand has dropped alot for regular replacement cores as those trucks are getting rarer, not alot of money to be made on a motor that would sit nowdays. As most yard are geared toward reg. customers not people doing swaps.
Years Liters Casting # Trans Flange Thickness
1999-2000 4.8L 312 V-8 M/T 1.250 thick flange
1999-2000 6.0L 215 V-8 M/T or A/T 1.250 thick flange
1999-2005 4.8L 482 V-8 A/T .857 thick flange
2001-2005 4.8L 482 V-8 M/T .857 thick flange
1999-2005 5.3L 216 V-8 A/T .857 thick flange
1997-2005 5.7L 216 V-8 .857 thick flange
2001-2005 6.0L 216 V-8 M/T or A/T .857 thick flange
Originally Posted by 78 elky
Two main points I have heard, but I am sure there are others:
1) The older engines have a longer crank, that will only work with an older trans (turbo350/400 700-R4) or a 4L80e. The 03+ have an adapter that can be removed so they work with the 4L60e. One solution is to buy a new crank and then it won't make any difference.
1) The older engines have a longer crank, that will only work with an older trans (turbo350/400 700-R4) or a 4L80e. The 03+ have an adapter that can be removed so they work with the 4L60e. One solution is to buy a new crank and then it won't make any difference.
The 5.3L was never used with a manual in the trucks.
The only motor using the spacer now are the those used with the 4l80e.
Originally Posted by 78 elky
2) The older engines have iron heads, and newer ones have aluminum. Again you can buy new heads.
I have a '99 vortec engine and it wasn't a big deal to me because of the price. I can afford to buy a new crank and keep my cost below the cost of a newer engines. And as far as the heads are concerned I was planning to swap those as well so it didn't matter what the engine came with originally.
Jess
I have a '99 vortec engine and it wasn't a big deal to me because of the price. I can afford to buy a new crank and keep my cost below the cost of a newer engines. And as far as the heads are concerned I was planning to swap those as well so it didn't matter what the engine came with originally.
Jess
DBC is a factor as well as most have lots of miles now. Also demand has dropped alot for regular replacement cores as those trucks are getting rarer, not alot of money to be made on a motor that would sit nowdays. As most yard are geared toward reg. customers not people doing swaps.
Last edited by Bo185; Oct 29, 2012 at 03:25 PM.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 7
From: Beebe, Arkansas
The Gen IV's 2007-up are 9.9:1
The Gen III's 99-2006 dished pistons versions are all 9.5:1
The Gen III L33 had flat tops and 9.9:1
Were did you notice they had lower CR?
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Brett Foote
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,685
Likes: 7
From: Beebe, Arkansas
Yeah, around '02 or '03 (can't remember off top of my head) GM added a teflon coating the the side of the pistons to help prevent it or lesson the noise. It never really hurt anything per-say just more of an annoying noise.
