So I may need to replace the 2002 LS6 in my 98 Wrangler. Looks like low compression in the last cylinder on the drivers side. I hope not but I know the early LS's have very thin cylinder liners that can only honed .005?
It has already been rebuilt with forged rods and pistons. So I'm thinking either a 5.3 or 6.0 of the same vintage as a short block so I can swap over the LS6 heads/intake and such.
Anyone have any input for really good short block supplier? I would also consider a long block 5.3/6.0 including heads. Don't really need any forged stuff.
The Wrangler is my summer time mall crawler and winter time driveway snow plow.

 

The early 97-00 blocks were the thin ones. The later ones had thicker liners in them.

 

Go to the junk yard and buy a 5.3 for cheap. The 6.0 motors are more expensive and tend to never appear in the yards anyway.

Rick

 

I would def do a iron block in a 4wd, just for additional overall toughness. That being said, I would get a 5.3 block and bore it to a 5.7. You should be able to just pull your rotating assembly out of your 5.7 and stick it in the iron 5.3. Will save you a bunch of $$$.

 

That's kind of what I've been leaning towards a 5.3 punched out to a 5.7.