4.8 to 5.3
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 2
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4.8 to 5.3 Hello all, I'm new to the LS world, so please go easy on me.
I recently did a motor swap in an 07 Tahoe for a friend and came up on the old 5.3 with a collapsed AFM/DOD lifter. I planned to freshen it up and install standard lifters with a mild cam and some heads and swap it into my 02 Silverado which has a 4.8.
My question is, If I have a map for a 5.3 flashed to my ECU will the smog shops be able to tell? Currently they only do a plug in and a visual so I'm trying to make some changes that will go under the radar.
I recently did a motor swap in an 07 Tahoe for a friend and came up on the old 5.3 with a collapsed AFM/DOD lifter. I planned to freshen it up and install standard lifters with a mild cam and some heads and swap it into my 02 Silverado which has a 4.8.
My question is, If I have a map for a 5.3 flashed to my ECU will the smog shops be able to tell? Currently they only do a plug in and a visual so I'm trying to make some changes that will go under the radar.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,291
Likes: 3,616
From: Central Cal.
A 5.3 is legal in every state in the union. Both the 5.3 and 4.8 use all the same sensors. Put all the 4.8 sensors on the 5.3, only put the knock sensors on the side of the block and the cam sensor on the 5.3 timing cover.
You will need the Lingenfelter conversion box to convert the cam and crank sensors because the 5.3 is a Gen IV if it had DOD/AFM, plus it has the 58x reluctor on the crank instead of the 4.8's 24x reluctor.
You will need the Lingenfelter conversion box to convert the cam and crank sensors because the 5.3 is a Gen IV if it had DOD/AFM, plus it has the 58x reluctor on the crank instead of the 4.8's 24x reluctor.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 2
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A 5.3 is legal in every state in the union. Both the 5.3 and 4.8 use all the same sensors. Put all the 4.8 sensors on the 5.3, only put the knock sensors on the side of the block and the cam sensor on the 5.3 timing cover.
You will need the Lingenfelter conversion box to convert the cam and crank sensors because the 5.3 is a Gen IV if it had DOD/AFM, plus it has the 58x reluctor on the crank instead of the 4.8's 24x reluctor.
You will need the Lingenfelter conversion box to convert the cam and crank sensors because the 5.3 is a Gen IV if it had DOD/AFM, plus it has the 58x reluctor on the crank instead of the 4.8's 24x reluctor.
Thanks for the added info, I know the 5.3 swap is legal, but I'd have to take it to the ref and from then on my 02 Silverado would be smoged as an 07 Tahoe. I'd like to not go through the trouble. My curiosity is, if I flash a standard 5.3 map to my ECU, will the smog shops be able to tell there was a motor swap done.
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 31
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From: SoCal
Sounds like you are in California... If a 5.3 was an option in that year, you can use one without the ref, you just have to make it look like a 2002. Chances are no one will be able to tell anyway, just make the tune look like a 2002.
