4.8 vs 5.3?!?
 

I've done some reading on here, just wanna ask a simple question. I can get a 4.8 complete w computer harness complete for 800 with 90. This motor is going in a 82 Chevy pick up I don't plan on building up the motor or nothing crazy, just a realible daily driver. My question is, should I go with the 4.8 or save a lil more for the 5.3?

Any of the LS motors make great power for their size. In a basic P/U i'm sure you'll be happy with the performance of either motor. If not can always do a Cam swap pretty cheap and pick up 20 to 30 hp pretty easily.

I really doubt if you could tell the difference between a stock 4.8 or 5.3 when your behind the wheel, so if you could get the 4.8 a lot cheaper I'd say go for it...plus might be a little better on gas

Sweet! Thanks guys I just didn't want to get the 4.8 and later be upset I didn't do the 5.3 but like I said I ain't going for to much power just want a nice clean ls motor w decent power w no regrets

I strongly disagree.

Even in a single cab the 4.8 is very noticeably weaker than the 5.3 and I would wait. If you were going to turbo it or something it would be different, but stock they feel very lacking to me.

I wouldn't even expect it to be better on gas, they seem to be down at the area of diminishing returns...need to work harder to move a heavy truck so the MPG are almost negligible.

I personally would go with the 5.3 as well. I drove a fully loaded Suburban rental with a 5.3 and was pleasantly surprised with both the power and fuel economy. Actually got mid 20 mpgs on the flat lands of west Texas. That's impressive!

If your truck were an S10, I might opt for the 4.8 but the C10 is heavier.

Here's my take. I've got the 4.8 in my extended cab truck. 325K+ reliable miles on it. My buddy has the same year extended cab truck with the 5.3. I can tell a difference when I drive his. His has got more torque or "grunt" and the mileage is roughly the same. Maybe a hair better with the 4.8.

Either motor is super reliable. I would think you could get the 5.3 for about the same price.

I guess 5.3 it is I just hate buying something used I've been screwed so much with this truck even if I get a low mileage 5.3 who's to say they took care of it? What are things to check/look for when looking at these salvage yards?

Who's to say your even buying a 5.3? The 4.8 and 5.3 use the same block and heads. Only way to truly tell is to check the pistons for a dish or a flat top.

Who knows, that 4.8 your buying could be a 5.3. Or you might pass up on the 4.8 and buy a 5.3 only to find out later it's a 4.8.

Go armed with knowledge and a medium sized screw driver and a 5/8 spark plug socket. Pull any plug and poke around on the top of the piston and feel for the dish. If it has a dish it's a 5.3 if not, its a 4.8

Thanks that's great advice, anything else I should Check when looking at these used motors? How can you tell if it's a 6.0?

6.0L blocks are cast with 6.0L on the outside. 4.8 & 5.3 blocks say 4.8/5.3 on the outside. That's why you can't tell them apart without looking at or feeling the top of the pistons. Flat top = 4.8L, dished = 5.3L.

I looked at two 5.3 vortecs just now, one was 600 bucks just motor no access. It looked super clean pretty much brand new I think it was 2002 or 03 fly by wire. There was another 5.3 that has 140k with the harness attached, for 500 bucks. The compression on that one was like 170-160 I think he said. My question is whats a decent comp pressure for something in that year range?

Anyone?!?!

4.8l w cam > 5.3l stock =$, get more for your money to get the project finnished faster.

A cammed 4.8 is better then a stock 5.3 is what your saying? What kind of compression should I be looking around when looking at these used motors

Maybe in a light car or lighter truck, but a full sized truck needs all the torque it can get IMO and then there is still room to cam the 5.3 down the road for even more power. It's basically like starting with a "hot rodded" 305 versus a HO stock 350. Give me the 350 and I will mod it later rather than hit a dead end with a 305.

As far as compression, a lot of gauges read different. My cammed ls1 was 190-205. My old 355 sbc was 170-180 on the same gauge.

So for a truck ls engine which have lower compression than the ls1, I would think the numbers you are reading are in the ballpark.

So would you recommned a 5.3 w 140k and 140-150 comp?

i had a 02 silverado with the 4.8, added a 80mm tb, exhaust, maf, tuner, and cai, i LOVED it and it ran great for 6 years. i sold it, but would recommend it to anyone

I just wanna make sure since my wife is flipping out since we been screwed w this truck plenty of times, she's all freaked out the used motor from JY will not be good

I would do a 5.3 as well,or look for a lq9,4, wait for the right motor and do it right the first time, later down the road if you plan to mod you will be happy about the better motor