Twisted46

Has anyone noticed a doubling in asking price for aluminum engines in the last two weeks? I was looking at LM7s with 60-100K miles for around $600 and L33s with over 120K miles for around $1200 two weeks ago and when I went to look around today everything has doubled in price (seriously) at least around central Ohio. What happened?

SLOW SEDAN

iTrader: (13)

Ebay sellers have been trending upward on 5.3L engines for some time, secrets out that's for sure. Dealers are doing less gen 4 "oil consumption" replacements so less cores for the resellers. If your going to spend more than a few hundred dollars I would get a gen 4 engine, be better in the long run. The LC9 is the hot unit to find for a deal, especially with the prices you claim for gen 3 stuff.

Utinator

I haven't been looking at engine prices lately, but I did notice that the presidency changed recently. The new EPA regulations will drive up the prices on new vehicles, which drives up the price on used vehicles/engines. I suspect gas prices will be going up soon as well. Don't spend that stimulus check just yet! You might need it to pay for gas.

Stampede4ever

How much do the LC9s go for?

Thanks.

Twisted46

I am finding them from $2500 up if they have less than 160K miles on them which is really more miles than I would like. I was hoping to stay under 120K miles so I can just do a few top end improvements and run it for several years as is.

Stampede4ever

What about the l33?

Thanks

SLOW SEDAN

iTrader: (13)

That's insane! They were $500-600 shipped not long ago.

Ls7colorado

iTrader: (3)

I never seen them that cheap, about $1400-1600 shipped was the cheapest i ever saw the Gen4 5.3's on Ebay.

lq4's are cheaper than gen4 5.3's

SLOW SEDAN

iTrader: (13)

Last two LC9's off ebay I got between 500-600 shipped. I dont have much interest in the iron blocks but yes they can get very cheap.

Stampede4ever

I just had a hard time selling a good lq4. I couldn’t believe it.

Thanks

gagliano7

I would take a LQ4 over the LC9 any day of the week.

SLOW SEDAN

iTrader: (13)

Depends on what your goals are, if its an NA truck then sure an LQ4 will work great, for handling 30+ lbs of boost the LC9 has proven to work very well.

Twisted46

I am specifically looking for aluminum blocks to keep weight down. 100lbs makes a big difference in a 2300lbs car.

SLOW SEDAN

iTrader: (13)

Agree! My car is right in that ball park.

Twisted46

I did finally find a LM4 at a local yard for $500 with 98K on it. They had a few that were higher mileage but the same price. They seemed to have missed the memo that everyone else was raising prices because the next cheapest one I could find was $700 with 162K on it. I only found 1 other within 200 miles of me that was sub 100K miles and they wanted $1000 for it. After adding up the intake, oil pan kit, and c5 accessories I am in it for just shy of $2000. The best price I could find on a decent LS1 with accessories was $3000 not a bad savings since I don't need the extra power. That said if I had to spend another $500 on a 5.3 I would have just bought an ls1 that was ready to drop in.