Hello everyone - I'm looking for a remanufactured 5.3 LM7, with all the different suppliers (Jasper - Powertrain products - Blue Print - S&J Engines - Powertrain Max - Engines direct - ATK and on) With a ton of mixed reviews and questionable suppliers, trying to sort through the clutter. Does anyone have any recent experience or opinions on who to consider and who to avoid?
he means a 99-07ish Chevy truck 5300 LS engine. They're still around used. Why spend so much money? I picked up an LQ4 last year for $750 a few miles from me on fb marketplace. Took it apart, replaced just a few parts, put it back together, and with a little boost it's running tens.
It's a GM 5.3 LS engine from early 2000 GM trucks - just so many builders stating the quality engine builds but mixed information and customer reviews. Hate to buy a boat anchor or extra problems.
I replaced the cam, valve springs, timing chain, pushrods/rockers, gaskets/seals, and head bolts. Reused the pistons/rods, rings, bearings, lifters, etc. It had 150k miles on it, which is about half way through their normal lifespan.
I've honestly found the sweet spot on mileage for an LS based engine is around 125k lower than that I've seen bizarre failures (I have an 01 5.3 piston ashtray from a 102k Silverado that broke a rod and split a piston) and higher than that you just have fewer miles left on it
Do you work @ a Gm shop / dealer ? I am around quite a few Ls seeing 200k To 3 k Oil pump weak link on earlier Ls Oil New I think 0-20w or 5-20 as miles go to 100k over changing oil weight to higher w # ,, to many I think rely on on board Oil change recommendations. 500 -550 hp Ls pretty reliable
My 2000 Silverado 5.3 **** itself a few months back (oil pump/cam bearings I'm told) at 125K, I ordered the truck in mid 1999, so regardless of others' high mileage claims I guess twenty five years isn't bad, had an ATK engine installed, freshened injector set, new sensors etc, they suggested a new radiator to cover everybody, never quibbled, runs like new, never got my hands dirty! Funny thing about this truck is, (I read some years ago they can only be bought in Saudi Arabia). Because it's a standard cab short bed people hit me up fairly regularly wanting to buy it, I tell them what I just spent on it and they walk away talking to themselves, they don't realize how much it would cost to replace it with a new one, which I don't really like anyway.
My grandson worked at a Chevy dealership, he tells everyone not to buy a used LS unless it has at least 125K miles on it. He says if they make it to that mileage, they are usually good for 250K-300k miles. Under that, they are a gamble. He also says that if you know it has been overheated, you don't want it.
I bought a 5.7 LS with trans, column, rear end, wiring and box for $350 and me pulling it from the crashed TA. deals are out there I found this one cause I wasn’t looking.
My previous SWB (parts getter 2) had a 5.3L. 310 HP, ran fantastic, towed a lot of cars with it on open trailers. The only reason I sold it was to get a bigger trailer and a bigger truck to tow it with. Great little engine, takes a turbo with ease.
love my 06 Chevy Silverado 1500 SWB...only its Silver Birch Metallic ( Must have been the go to color everyone liked) 5.3L with 157,**X on it now... cloth interior.. always getting notes on the windshield or asked ( like DDDenny) Its lowered on 20" KMC rims... just put a flush Pace-Edwards.. retractable tonneau ... 06( and 07 Cl***ic) Chevy got smart and put the Heavy Duty hoods on them ( looks better) IMO... lots of good low mileage 5.3 out there... if you looking for reman, look at reviews ..
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