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Just a curious thought about 5.3 & 6.0 in older trucks

4xcrazy

4xcrazy

3/4 ton status
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I have been thinking about this for awhile. I have the opportunity of picking up a '85ish 2wd Chevy for free, it has a TBI 350 that was installed, but basically not completed. I only thought about picking it up as a little hot rod type of project, drop it's stance a bit, I know some of you on here don't like anything but lifted and 4wd, but hey, all vehicles have their intended use :D

Just a toy of sorts, drop in a bigger engine, clean it up, just use it to cruise around with.

The one thing I was curious about when I hear/read about guys putting late model engines in their trucks, is is always seems to be the 5.3... why?

Is there something significantly more difficult to deal with using a 6.0 or what is the reason most choose the 5.3, better mileage? Just curious on thoughts.

It had crossed my mind when I had the 5.3 out of the Avalanche when the cam wiped out early in life to find a 6.0...

What's up with this. :D
 
5.3's are cheaper, easier to come by and get better mileage is the benefits I see.

I hear they like boost better to.
 
Babaganoosh said:
5.3's are cheaper, easier to come by and get better mileage is the benefits I see.

I hear they like boost better to.
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All of the above. Plus they typically have better heads out of the box than 6.0s.

FYI if you're not interested in boost than you could put 4.8 flat tops in the 5.3 to bump the compression.
 
Personally I consider the 5.3 more of a hotrod engine and the 6.0 is a workhorse. Aside from the high comp vortec max they both like boost.

Check out LS1truck
 
click my 2wd build for 5.3 swap in 2wd .

5.3 cheeper to buy / find / run .

if just a beater don't be afraid to drop in a 4.8 also . crazy power from them also .
 
Seems like it. Both can be bored to make a 5.7 with the proper combo of crank, rods, and pistons.
 
It's not evil to lower a 2WD as long as you make it fast. What's evil to turn a 4WD into a 2WD by lifting/lowering beyond what you're willing to make the drivelines work with.
 
sweetk30 said:
click my 2wd build for 5.3 swap in 2wd .

5.3 cheeper to buy / find / run .

if just a beater don't be afraid to drop in a 4.8 also . crazy power from them also .
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Oh yeah! I've been wanting to build a 4.8 ever since I tea the same article that very one on the internet read. I think it was hot rod but they boosted a junk yard 4.8 to stupid levels and it held.
Makes my giblets wet just thinking about it.


Blue85 said:
It's not evil to lower a 2WD as long as you make it fast. What's evil to turn a 4WD into a 2WD by lifting/lowering beyond what you're willing to make the drivelines work with.
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Preach brother! That's the truth.
 
Most of the parts store I have been to or even some places on line always refer to the 5.3 as a 323 I thought. I had heard them referred to as "about a 327" when they first came out as it seemed most people didn't know exactly what to call them. :tongue1:

Just to clarify, not really intending on lowering it like a lowrider type thing, just a decent sporty stance, sport truck type stance I guess.

I do understand the 5.3 availability things though. I was just amazed at the power that a friends truck back in Phoenix had, pulling a trailer WITH his half chopped Blazer on it and he still out accelerated me in my Burb on the way to a trail run one day. Like one said, meant to be a workhorse.

But now I see that LS7 listed as well, too bad they most likely cost 3 times what the truck is worth. :doah:

I really need to get on the ball and get to know these new labeled/designed engines, still stuck in the older block designs.
 
You and me both!...I know old school chevy's inside and out..but..

I know zilch about any of the "new generation" engines made after 1987 or so...only what I've seen of them after one gets pulled at my friends shop,have I seen one up close,and I'm pretty useless when it comes to the fuel injection and ignition systems on them..looks like a friggin space ship propulsion unit compared to what I grew up with..:doah:

He has a "junk" V8 from a 2000's truck thats either a 5.3 or 6.0 the customer didn't want back after he swapped a salvage yard one into the truck--he claims it was replaced only because it overheated and the guy drove it home --probably only blew a head gasket,it still ran but skipped like it had a dead cylinder,he drove it a few miles and into the shop,and he told the owner he could buy a lower mileage used engine and he'd install it,for less than he'd charge to pull the heads off with the engine in the truck..

If it didn't need a computer and harness to make it run,(and more than just head gaskets),I'd probably be interested in hauling it away for him,most likely it'll go in the trunk of the next junk car he scraps otherwise..but it would not be worth it to me,to put something like that in any of my old beaters...what I'd prefer would be a pre 86 carbed 350 or 400 SB,or a straight six..
 
It doesn't need a computer to run. People run carbs on them all the time. You just gave to get either the distributor drive kit, or a msd coil control box.
 
NorCalKid said:
Same bore different stroke
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Deuling said:
:dunno:

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Adam Im pretty sure he was talking about 4.8 vs 5.3, 4.8's and 5.3's both have the same bore but the 4.8 has a different stroke than a 5.3.... Most will swap 4.8 flat top pistons onto 5.3 rods to bump the compression up on a 5.3....
 
What he said^^^. I was thinking 4.8 and 5.3.

They are pretty fun engines and the swaps pretty straight forward, a lot easier then I thought it would be
 
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