4.8 or 5.3 with 5 speed???
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 9
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4.8 or 5.3 with 5 speed??? I am doing an LS swap in a 1992 shortbed c1500.
I have a 4.8 that needs nothing and I have a 5.3 that may needs some rings or something.
I am NOT going to be racing this truck and tearing crap up I can't afford it....I want a daily driver and cruiser.
Both engines are stock. 4.8 is out of a 2004 tahoe and the 5.3 is out of a 2005 silverado.
With the 5 speed transmission I am using is the 5.3 going to be that dramatically different than the 4.8?
Meaning, will I just be blown away by the 5.3? Is the 5.3 really worth the investment over a 4.8 I have to do nothing to?
I currently have a 5.0 in my truck
...
I have a 4.8 that needs nothing and I have a 5.3 that may needs some rings or something.
I am NOT going to be racing this truck and tearing crap up I can't afford it....I want a daily driver and cruiser.
Both engines are stock. 4.8 is out of a 2004 tahoe and the 5.3 is out of a 2005 silverado.
With the 5 speed transmission I am using is the 5.3 going to be that dramatically different than the 4.8?
Meaning, will I just be blown away by the 5.3? Is the 5.3 really worth the investment over a 4.8 I have to do nothing to?
I currently have a 5.0 in my truck
...
Last edited by RENOFIRE; Apr 20, 2017 at 07:00 PM.
5.3 has better power upgrade potential. Might give it a better resale potential for the same reason. If neither of those are worries than it doesn't matter.
I don't see where the trans makes a difference.
I don't see where the trans makes a difference.
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 40
Likes: 5
The NV3500 is already marginal behind a 4.8, using it with a 5.3 will just
hasten its' demise. There is a reason GM didn't offer this transmission
behind a 5.3, they didn't want to pay the warranty claims.
GM cut corners in the design of this transmission, and then specified a
"special" oil (GM Synchromesh) to enable it to shift correctly. The
problem is, this oil doesn't protect the bearings. I use a 50/50 mix
of Redline MT90/MTL.
The power of the 4.8 will be good with the manual trans and an unloaded
truck, loaded not so much.
hasten its' demise. There is a reason GM didn't offer this transmission
behind a 5.3, they didn't want to pay the warranty claims.
GM cut corners in the design of this transmission, and then specified a
"special" oil (GM Synchromesh) to enable it to shift correctly. The
problem is, this oil doesn't protect the bearings. I use a 50/50 mix
of Redline MT90/MTL.
The power of the 4.8 will be good with the manual trans and an unloaded
truck, loaded not so much.
Last edited by 88bruce; Apr 21, 2017 at 06:54 AM.
the tranny is fine if its not abused. everyone likes to say they are crap but never ran any. I had a 1/2 ton 4.8 5spd that i put 180k on with the stock clutch and never had a issue. last i heard the guy that bought it has 230k now trannys good but replaced the clutch. he tried pulling the truck in street stock class and it didn't like it.
there is a noticeable difference between the 4.8 and 5.3. both are good motors but the longer stroke of the 5.3 makes a little more power and is nice to have.
there is a noticeable difference between the 4.8 and 5.3. both are good motors but the longer stroke of the 5.3 makes a little more power and is nice to have.
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 85
Likes: 1
http://www.hotrod.com/articles/hrdp-...g-bang-theory/
Hot Rod magazine managed to get serious power out of a 4.8. If you want some pep with the 4.8 put some headers and install a cam otherwise it will probably make an excellent cruiser with decent fuel mileage.
Hot Rod magazine managed to get serious power out of a 4.8. If you want some pep with the 4.8 put some headers and install a cam otherwise it will probably make an excellent cruiser with decent fuel mileage.
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Teching In
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
GM cut corners in the design of this transmission, and then specified a
"special" oil (GM Synchromesh) to enable it to shift correctly. The
problem is, this oil doesn't protect the bearings. I use a 50/50 mix
of Redline MT90/MTL.
The power of the 4.8 will be good with the manual trans and an unloaded
truck, loaded not so much.
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Flat Black is a member on here who was running a 5.3 with the NV3500 for drifting events. Shoot him a message. He is usually quick to respond and very helpful with the information.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...ing-build.html
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...ing-build.html
Post #5 noted the NV3500 and not being able to handle the power of a 5.3. Just noting that a member had been abusing that setup on the drift circuit without issues. I probably should lay off the sauce while posting 
.
. Last edited by 2muchboostNY; Apr 28, 2017 at 08:20 AM.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Central Cal.
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 40
Likes: 5
I hate to start from the beginning again
but i have a 2009 4.8 still in the truck
just want to make sure im not going to run into and problems pitting it in a 2011 truck in place of a 5.3
i dont see where i would have a problem but figured id reach out
but i have a 2009 4.8 still in the truck
just want to make sure im not going to run into and problems pitting it in a 2011 truck in place of a 5.3
i dont see where i would have a problem but figured id reach out
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,293
Likes: 3,617
From: Central Cal.
Get the ECM for that engine too so the tune will be the same. Otherwise plug and play.