lavoy

iTrader: (2)

that is not a 5.3 its a 4.8

denmah

iTrader: (2)

i dont want it unless its 200,000 + miles lol

mightybird

i picked up mine with 21,000 miles for 600 bucks cant say it was to bad of a deal.

b_evans06

iTrader: (1)

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.

mightybird

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

PEANUT

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

Sarg

iTrader: (6)

I'd look for the aluminum L33 motor. 5.3, aluminum, flat top pistons with very decent heads. 05+ had better rods supposedly.

PEANUT

Thanks, i thought the iron block was the hot ticket? Good to know about the 05 and up rods...any other opinions?

Sarg

iTrader: (6)

Hinda hard to see in the picture but the sleeves on the L33 are THICK. I measured them at about .240. To compare a Darton iron sleeve is about .265. So pretty darn beefy.

PEANUT

Good info Sarg, thanks!

86lxnotch

iTrader: (3)

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!

Checkmate

iTrader: (2)

Where are you guys finding engines so cheap?

mapleridge

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.

Beanslsxnova

iTrader: (1)

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!

mapleridge

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.

N20zuki

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.

HRHohio

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.

BLK95-Z

iTrader: (2)

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

mrstepheneades

I paid 750$ for an lq4 I bought just to have. It was from a hummer that had burnt. All sensors, intake, anything plastic was melted. Only had 70,000 on it though.

mapleridge

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.