Junkyard engine guys
I bought a 4.8 with unknown mileage for $200. Swapped cams and never took off the pan or heads. Great motor that turned 7200rpms daily for over a year. I sold it and it is currently getting swapped into another car. I replaced it with an 04 lq9 shortblock I was told with 44k miles on it for $600. It spun a cam bearing 2 weeks after the swap.
Launching!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
From: fortwayne indiana
I bought a 4.8 with unknown mileage for $200. Swapped cams and never took off the pan or heads. Great motor that turned 7200rpms daily for over a year. I sold it and it is currently getting swapped into another car. I replaced it with an 04 lq9 shortblock I was told with 44k miles on it for $600. It spun a cam bearing 2 weeks after the swap.
yea not looking to hear that !! i would of went with a lq4 or lq9 but im not really sure how they would of worked with my heads and intake ! 4 inch bore i would of rather went with a ls3 heads and intake! this lil l33 5.3 should scream with these prc heads with the right cam and boost 
Teching In
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: South Side of Chicago
So when i call around for a 5.3 what is the eng code recommended? I want to give myself the best platform possible for boost, thanks! Also, were is a good place to get one? I have called lkq and they had a 5.3 for $400 with a $175 core.. Deal? 200k
Teching In
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: South Side of Chicago
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Teching In
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: South Side of Chicago
my first lq4 had 115k+ but i swapped arp rodbolts in it.....spit a rod bearing out after awhile. this one 85k+ and threw my 317's on it with ls9 gaskets and ebay studs. been fine so far beating the crap outta it every time i drive it. keep saying im gonna turn the boost DOWN from 20 but i just cant cant bring myself to do it!
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Hi All,
I just pulled an L59 5.3 from a 2003 Tahoe with about 90K miles on it. It was $200 for the long block. I am wondering if there is a short checklist of things to do before putting money into building this. My plan is to have it bored out to 5.7l and stroking it with eventual boost from a SC. Just want to know if it is worth sending to the machine shop.
I just pulled an L59 5.3 from a 2003 Tahoe with about 90K miles on it. It was $200 for the long block. I am wondering if there is a short checklist of things to do before putting money into building this. My plan is to have it bored out to 5.7l and stroking it with eventual boost from a SC. Just want to know if it is worth sending to the machine shop.
A few months ago we Picked up a complete 4.8 with 225k on it for $300. It got a 228/230 112 cam ls9 gaskets and studs and a s480. On 18lbs it make 690whp It's in my buddy's daily driver and we beat the snot out of it every day no issues yet!
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
these blocks have a great reputation. I want similar power but I want it to last too, so thats why Im trying to put in the extra work. I found what seems to be the right shop. Only tips I found for machining was that they should use a torque plate which I knew. I also read that a gasket should also be used....The shop said their boring machine indexes from the pan rail and the main bore. It can't be too complex. I am having it sonic tested before the work begins just to be on the safe side.
TECH Resident
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 856
Likes: 2
From: Elizabeth City NC
My 5.3 had a claimed 150k on it when I got it.... I pulled it apart and it was clean inside, threw it back together and did my swap. Ran it for 6k stock and then threw a MP112 on top of it with 9lbs through it making 430whp for 3500 miles on it now without a hiccup.
TECH Resident
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 916
Likes: 5
From: Las Vegas, NV
Sounds like it will be a bulletproof beast!!! If you don't mind me asking... how much is it going to cost for all that?
(Secretly thinking of doing the same...
)
PM if you don't want to put it out in the open.
(Secretly thinking of doing the same...
) PM if you don't want to put it out in the open.
Hi All,
I just pulled an L59 5.3 from a 2003 Tahoe with about 90K miles on it. It was $200 for the long block. I am wondering if there is a short checklist of things to do before putting money into building this. My plan is to have it bored out to 5.7l and stroking it with eventual boost from a SC. Just want to know if it is worth sending to the machine shop.
I just pulled an L59 5.3 from a 2003 Tahoe with about 90K miles on it. It was $200 for the long block. I am wondering if there is a short checklist of things to do before putting money into building this. My plan is to have it bored out to 5.7l and stroking it with eventual boost from a SC. Just want to know if it is worth sending to the machine shop.
Last edited by HRHohio; Apr 10, 2014 at 09:08 PM.
I bought a complete intake to oil pan 4.8 out of a 2002 Silverado with 270k miles for $350. I usually wouldn't have paid that much but it came from my buddys truck and I knew it was strong and had been maintained its whole life. It was pulled for a 6.0 swap
On The Tree
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
I'm still gathering costs but so far the machine work will be about $650 to have it cleaned, main studs installed, main line checked, sonic test cylinders, bore & hone and then decking. After that, I have been looking at texas speed and if I want the best internals for the short block it will be around $3000. That will complete the short block for the most part. After that I will have to look at heads and intake. Just not quite sure what the value of the different brands and makes of the internal parts are. I need to do a lot more research. I'm trying to do it once and do it right.
