Stroking a 4.8
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2016
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Stroking a 4.8 Does anyone know if a 4.8 can be stroked and what crankshaft would you use? The reason I ask is because I have a LR4 in my 2000 chevy silverado 4x4, and it was only offered that year in a MANUAL TRANS W/4.8 liter. When I ordered it I went to several dealers because I wanted a 6.0 with a manual trans but they both told 4.8 was it. So....I am worried that something is different with the 4.8, clearance, design, Or something that wouldnt allow a LQ4 or LS1 to be shoe-horned into my 4x4 1500. So I am checking options for my next rebuild.
Thank you Sincerely,
Thank you Sincerely,
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 24
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From: Northern California
Yes i will look up the the thread i had just read it the other day. the 4.8 has slightly shorter rods then a 5.3 so theres the first, then the block can be bored to 5.7. I believe you would then just use the LS1 stroker kits as you are already going to be using the ls1 piston after the bore (summit has them for 600 still i believe if thats more feasible) You would then install the 4" crank and would have a 383 which is basically an iron ls3..
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 24
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From: Northern California
crank is the same.. the only difference in displacement comes from a shorter rod length a simply longer rod would bump up the cubes to 5.3 from 4.8 but like i said in my other post it would be best to bore it to the ls1 spec and then go from there as the market for that is way more established and plenty of parts around but i believe its a 4" crank that goes in 
TECH Junkie
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Iowa
Ignore LS STANG, he's So wrong it's not even funny. 4.8 and 5.3 have different crank. They share the same bore, but the 4.8 got a shorter stroke crank and longer rod.
5.3 is 3.780 bore, 3.622 stroke, 6.098 rod.
4.8 is 3.780 bore, 3.267 stroke, 6.275 rod.
A 5.3 crank and rods will swap with the 4.8 pistons to make a high compression 5.3
Block, intake, oil pan, etc etc etc are all the same. The only difference between the 5.3 lm7 and 4.8 are the crank, rods, and pistons which I've outlined above. This makes for a simple swap of the entire engine, or just crank and rods if you so choose.
Little fyi, the 4.8 loves to rev, and handles boost very well. They're good little engines, I love the 4.8 in my 99 rclb
5.3 is 3.780 bore, 3.622 stroke, 6.098 rod.
4.8 is 3.780 bore, 3.267 stroke, 6.275 rod.
A 5.3 crank and rods will swap with the 4.8 pistons to make a high compression 5.3
Block, intake, oil pan, etc etc etc are all the same. The only difference between the 5.3 lm7 and 4.8 are the crank, rods, and pistons which I've outlined above. This makes for a simple swap of the entire engine, or just crank and rods if you so choose.
Little fyi, the 4.8 loves to rev, and handles boost very well. They're good little engines, I love the 4.8 in my 99 rclb
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2016
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From: PNW
crank is the same.. the only difference in displacement comes from a shorter rod length a simply longer rod would bump up the cubes to 5.3 from 4.8 but like i said in my other post it would be best to bore it to the ls1 spec and then go from there as the market for that is way more established and plenty of parts around but i believe its a 4" crank that goes in
Restricted User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 7,192
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From: Ohio
crank is the same.. the only difference in displacement comes from a shorter rod length a simply longer rod would bump up the cubes to 5.3 from 4.8 but like i said in my other post it would be best to bore it to the ls1 spec and then go from there as the market for that is way more established and plenty of parts around but i believe its a 4" crank that goes in
Rod length has never determined stroke in any engine.
The amount of travel on the crankshaft determines stroke. The rod is just there to make sure the piston is where it needs to be.
If you take a 4.8 with the piston sitting at the top of the bore and put a longer rod in it, its just going to shove the piston into the head and break. But you're more than welcome to try it.
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The only thing that will get you on a swap for any other LS motor is that your 4.8 is a long crank flange version. Like the early Iron headed 6.0's. Its not a big deal, there are flywheels that make up the difference, but its something to keep in mind.
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crank is the same.. the only difference in displacement comes from a shorter rod length a simply longer rod would bump up the cubes to 5.3 from 4.8 but like i said in my other post it would be best to bore it to the ls1 spec and then go from there as the market for that is way more established and plenty of parts around but i believe its a 4" crank that goes in
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2016
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A longer crank or crank flange. That is the kind of detail that I was after thank you very much! Any Idea of the actual numbers in lenght? Anyone know the length of a LS crank?
So let me see if I got this right.....I could take a 4" 6.0l crank, 5.3 short rods and most likely a short piston. Or can I keep the 4.8 rod length and have enough room on a short piston that the wrist pin doesnt go past the oil ring? Either way I come out with a 383 depending on bore size correct?
I would like to reuse the original block, its already seasoned and thats the kind of guy I am. I know there is no substitute for cubic inches, so I like the thought of a stroker with my original parts.
Any other info is totally appreciated!
So let me see if I got this right.....I could take a 4" 6.0l crank, 5.3 short rods and most likely a short piston. Or can I keep the 4.8 rod length and have enough room on a short piston that the wrist pin doesnt go past the oil ring? Either way I come out with a 383 depending on bore size correct?
I would like to reuse the original block, its already seasoned and thats the kind of guy I am. I know there is no substitute for cubic inches, so I like the thought of a stroker with my original parts.
Any other info is totally appreciated!
A longer crank or crank flange. That is the kind of detail that I was after thank you very much! Any Idea of the actual numbers in lenght? Anyone know the length of a LS crank?
So let me see if I got this right.....I could take a 4" 6.0l crank, 5.3 short rods and most likely a short piston. Or can I keep the 4.8 rod length and have enough room on a short piston that the wrist pin doesnt go past the oil ring? Either way I come out with a 383 depending on bore size correct?
I would like to reuse the original block, its already seasoned and thats the kind of guy I am. I know there is no substitute for cubic inches, so I like the thought of a stroker with my original parts.
Any other info is totally appreciated!
So let me see if I got this right.....I could take a 4" 6.0l crank, 5.3 short rods and most likely a short piston. Or can I keep the 4.8 rod length and have enough room on a short piston that the wrist pin doesnt go past the oil ring? Either way I come out with a 383 depending on bore size correct?
I would like to reuse the original block, its already seasoned and thats the kind of guy I am. I know there is no substitute for cubic inches, so I like the thought of a stroker with my original parts.
Any other info is totally appreciated!
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 49
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Okay well then can you help me with this KCS.....would a LS2 - 7 block be interchangeable with my LR4 given the possible longer crankshaft of the LR4?
This is the start of my research, why not find out from fellas like me first before I start asking machine shops questions? I haven't found much doing google on 4.8 strokers that really has specifics. So I thought this would be the place to start, and I have gotten some good info. So thanks guys.
This is the start of my research, why not find out from fellas like me first before I start asking machine shops questions? I haven't found much doing google on 4.8 strokers that really has specifics. So I thought this would be the place to start, and I have gotten some good info. So thanks guys.
Restricted User
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Ohio
You haven't actually said what you want other than a stroker. How much of a stoker? 5.3/5.7/6.0/6.2 crank andjd id's will go in your block and give you a 5.3.
if you are after after 5.3, just buy one and replace your engine.
if you are after after 5.3, just buy one and replace your engine.
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 15
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I'm working on stroking my 5.3 but everything I'm finding is for going max bore on my cylinders with a 4 inch crank, would I be able to do minimal bore and still go with a 4 inch crank? I want to get as much stroke as I can but I don'twant to go max bore just in case I run into an issue down the road.
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 15
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ok but how well will that work with a 4 inch crank? I was reading about someone doing max bore and then a 4.2 crank and people were saying that would be bad for the longevity of the engine because of rod length and bore of the cylinder. I'm just trying to clarify. Also what would the displacement be on little to no bore with a 4 inch crank?
Restricted User
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 7,192
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From: Ohio
Bore and stroke are in independent of eachother. you can do one without the other.
If you're after more power, a stroker crank on a 5.3 is definitely not the most cost effective option. A cam and tune will make a huge difference.
If you're after more power, a stroker crank on a 5.3 is definitely not the most cost effective option. A cam and tune will make a huge difference.
Teching In
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 15
Likes: 1
thank you that's very clarifying. I hear what your saying about cam and tune, I'm doing full rebuild on the motor.