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

...

 

Does anyone run a 4.8 and 5 speed combo?

 

I would run the known good 4.8 over the 5.3 with questions

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Oil isn't going to help when the case flexes and the countershaft skips taking teath out

 

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

 

Weird thread. I'm not sure what the NV3500 has to do with the OP's question

 

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 .

 

I've run a nv3500 behind a cammed 5.3 in my silverado for almost 50k miles without issues. That includes towing cars and not being easy on it.

 

I have a 4.3 v6 5 speed and want to switch to 5.3 and use the same 5 speed. Now what wiring harness would you suggest?

 

You're responding to a 4 year old thread, of which most posters have not been here for years themselves.
PLEASE check post dates....

 

http://www.performancetrucks.net/for...-guide-378643/

 

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

 

Get the ECM for that engine too so the tune will be the same. Otherwise plug and play.