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Are all 5.3s the same?

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Old Mar 4, 2014 | 08:31 PM
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Default Are all 5.3s the same?

So I'm looking for a 5.3 for my 1958 gmc fleetside. I've been looking at 2001-2006 5.3l motors and tranny I found a 2002 with 79k miles and a 2004 with 85k miles $200 difference. Is a 2004 any better (performance) better then a 2002? Have in mind motor will go in mostly stock in truck. Nothing crazy. Any help is appreciated
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Old Mar 4, 2014 | 09:01 PM
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The 04 Should have coated piston skirts.

If it was taken care of it will be less likely to have piston slap on cold start up.
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Old Mar 4, 2014 | 09:05 PM
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Originally Posted by 1FastBrick
The 04 Should have coated piston skirts.

If it was taken care of it will be less likely to have piston slap on cold start up.
This doesn't sound like a big deal but, let's just say they both were taken care of, would the 2002 be a better fit for my application since it's pretty much staying stuck with dbw?
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Old Mar 4, 2014 | 09:36 PM
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Long block is Basically the same. If you want the DBC stuff and it's all intact then get the 02 the only difference is going to be throttle body and fuel rails are a return style on the 02 Vs. the 04 being returnless. If your getting the wire harness and computer then get the 02. It will already be set up for it.
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Old Mar 4, 2014 | 10:20 PM
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Originally Posted by 1FastBrick
Long block is Basically the same. If you want the DBC stuff and it's all intact then get the 02 the only difference is going to be throttle body and fuel rails are a return style on the 02 Vs. the 04 being returnless. If your getting the wire harness and computer then get the 02. It will already be set up for it.
Thank u for the info
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Old Mar 4, 2014 | 10:40 PM
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There are a few different 5.3s. Gen 3 and then Gen 4. Aluminum or Iron blocks in either generation. Some have better heads than others, some have more compression. There is as much of a variety between the 5.3s as any of the other displacement LS engines.
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Old Mar 5, 2014 | 06:26 PM
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When do 3rd gen and 4th gen start?
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Old Mar 5, 2014 | 08:15 PM
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Originally Posted by 59 camaro
When do 3rd gen and 4th gen start?
Gen 3 is 99-06 in the trucks
Gen 4 around 07 in the trucks.
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Old Mar 6, 2014 | 04:44 AM
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Originally Posted by 59 camaro
This doesn't sound like a big deal but, let's just say they both were taken care of, would the 2002 be a better fit for my application since it's pretty much staying stuck with dbw?
I know the 04 will be DBW, but have you looked at the 02? It may be DBC.
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Old Mar 6, 2014 | 12:27 PM
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Originally Posted by LS1MCSS
I know the 04 will be DBW, but have you looked at the 02? It may be DBC.
yeah man, the 02 is dbc
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Old Mar 6, 2014 | 06:13 PM
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my '04 5.3 had the coated skirts as fastbrick said, however it also had the beefier "LS2 style" connecting rods.

It also had the return type fuel rail.

'04 must have been a chaotic year!
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Old Mar 6, 2014 | 10:32 PM
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Originally Posted by RezinTexas
my '04 5.3 had the coated skirts as fastbrick said, however it also had the beefier "LS2 style" connecting rods.

It also had the return type fuel rail.

'04 must have been a chaotic year!
i thought 04 had return less fuel type rails?
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Old Mar 7, 2014 | 05:29 PM
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here is a shot of my 2004 5.3

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