Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
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Old Jan 13, 2026 | 06:30 PM
  #21  
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Yeah the reality is that it is not as bad as it looks. Pull piston and rod and check the ring land for any distorsion tap any sharp spots with dremmel clean and reassemble and send it I am thinking. Cause really if it eats itself in an hour or a year either way its been a learning experiance and the block has almost 200k on.it. All I am into it for is rings bearings a gasket set and bunch of hours and the 100 bucks I paid for the Suburban it came out of. If it dies I am going to be looking at a while till I can afford a replacement and wont be a 5.3 again I will hold out for the 6.0 or 6.2 next time. So yeah think that is going to be the plan we shall see what happens...
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Old Jan 14, 2026 | 03:05 PM
  #22  
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Weld slag? Like from flux core welding? You modified the exhaust manifold/headers?
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Old Jan 15, 2026 | 03:05 AM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by strutaeng
Weld slag? Like from flux core welding? You modified the exhaust manifold/headers?
not so much the headers I cut off the end and added a V Band end and then had to make my own pipeing from there to join together at the turbo flange and wastegate and then my own downpipe and divorced wastegate. The passenger side header I just flipped upside down and at the collecter I took that 2.5" out 7 or 8 inches then swept down. Developed a leak right by the bung for the O2 sensor and "fixed" it and aparently knocked loose some slag or something inside the pipe and it rolled its way back down to the motor. When I started it to check for leaks it started then couple seconds in just Bang clack clack claking shut it down and here I am.....and it was stick weld yes don't have budget for filling bottles to tig it all.
My fault I know it and it sucks l, say what you will but it needed to get done and I can't pay anyone to do it for me. But maybe be better off waiting.till I could.pay someone or maybe I jist need a different hobby. Have debated just selling everything tools and all a few times but I really wouldnt know what to do with myself if I didnt have things to work.on or build.
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Old Jan 15, 2026 | 09:39 AM
  #24  
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the piston is done. no way to run it and not have it grenade. you can see crack start points. the head can be saved with a bit of tig welding, grinding, polishing, and maybe a new valve. if weld slag was big enough to cause this damage, it also damaged the valve seat when it went thru

even if the piston didnt crack on you immediately, the ring is no longer turning and the sharp edges will be glowing red-hot and that piston will have significant detonation which will just shatter the piston.





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Old Jan 15, 2026 | 10:49 AM
  #25  
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I agree. There's no way I'd ever chance running that piston again. Not worth the gamble....
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Old Jan 15, 2026 | 03:55 PM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by RB04Av
Looks to me like a 5.3 that Skillet "slapped" a turbo on and didn't tune.

Not worth "fixing". Go to the junkyard and get another that isn't already smoked.

If YOU'RE Skillet with the turbo, get it tuned, before destroying another.



Sounds like you'll be riding the bus for a bit.
lucky not my primary defiantly a project. Was intended for my son but he said he doesnt want it so now I build it for me/to sell. Not sure I understand "Skillet" but I was in process of tuning it and was still in the super rich safe levels no boost stage so that didnt do it it was for sure me and the welder.
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Old Jan 15, 2026 | 03:58 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by Scott Danforth
the piston is done. no way to run it and not have it grenade. you can see crack start points. the head can be saved with a bit of tig welding, grinding, polishing, and maybe a new valve. if weld slag was big enough to cause this damage, it also damaged the valve seat when it went thru

even if the piston didnt crack on you immediately, the ring is no longer turning and the sharp edges will be glowing red-hot and that piston will have significant detonation which will just shatter the piston.


I was worried about valves to but amavingly they look ok and still seat the cc hold water still left on bench for a day and didnt leak anything...I hear you on the piston tho
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Old Jan 16, 2026 | 01:05 PM
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Cheapest way out of this issue is a used piston or piston/rod combo and clean up the head. Obviously to be successful take note of everything and any other issues due to the impact.
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Old Jan 16, 2026 | 01:35 PM
  #29  
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Are there not Loose, on pallet, READY to drop IN Gen3 5.3 engines nearby?
Damn near grow on trees here: Price for On the hoof GMT800 with either smoked transmission/ bad fuel pump, or "Hit Moose and not worth FixinG " range from $500 down to Haul the ****** off and it's yours.

Check your local sales boards, marketplace, etc.. someone will sell you a running 5.3 for 500.
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Old Jan 16, 2026 | 02:09 PM
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CoPart.com. You can buy most any LS engine at a yard near you. Cheap….
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Old Jan 30, 2026 | 05:18 PM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by slowride
That piston probably has a pinched ring land due to impact being so close to the edge. The head could be tigged up and smoothed avoiding any head gasket sealing area.
good call on the top ring being pinched. Got around to pulling piston out today and to the naked eye it looked ok but that top ring isnt going anywhere anytime soon.
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Old Jan 30, 2026 | 05:20 PM
  #32  
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Originally Posted by Che70velle
CoPart.com. You can buy most any LS engine at a yard near you. Cheap….
Yeah but then your buying the wreck that goes with it right? Never known them to.sell just a motor.
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Old Jan 30, 2026 | 09:01 PM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by BReal408
Yeah but then your buying the wreck that goes with it right? Never known them to.sell just a motor.
CoPart in Ga sells any part you want from a taillight to the complete wreck.
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Old Jan 31, 2026 | 05:43 AM
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There is also car-part.com and the LKQ pick a part sites. Local LKQ in Florida has sales every 6 months where a motor is $250. You do have to pull it yourself
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