Post by casias on Jun 13, 2017 6:49:30 GMT -5
I receive a lot of questions about the 5.3 LS engine because they are less expensive, but still very potent engines. I've never built one, so I am going to go through the process from start to finish. This isn't a magazine article sponsored with vendors who want their parts seen, or edited and used again in different magazines. This is just me, starting with a Craigslist find, tearing it down, making some parts choices, and building it back up. I have no plans for it right now, but it will definitely go into something.
The story: This engine came from Craigslist. Purchased from a 70-year-old man who bought it to replace the big block in his '66 Chevelle. You can just see it under the car cover in one of the following pictures. He started talking to his old car buddies, and they all agreed the wiring was just too much hassle. I have know idea what he paid for it, but he was told it came from a 2004 Suburban with 145k miles. It has 706 heads, new alternator, and all of the accessories, brackets, pullies and all of the wiring harness except the leg that goes to the ECM. It was cut off about a foot from the engine.
It's either a 4.8 (LR4) or the more popular 5.3 (LM7).
My first stop is ebay, which tells me that the 4.8 didn't come in a Suburban. That makes sense due to weight. The 5.3 and 6.0 were the only options. So I'm about 25% sure right now it is a 5.3.
The LM7's are priced from $200 for a bare, used block to $1500 or so for a drop-out with everything intact, but it seems about $1000 plus shipping will buy one if you watch ebay for a few days. LR4's seems to go for about $800 for a complete dropout. Maybe other people are finding them cheaper locally, and saving shipping. Anyone?
I paid $350 for this one.
Since it is a cast iron block with aluminum heads, and not the LH6 aluminum block I started out looking for, I am going to call it Project Bottom Heavy.
Some pictures of the outside of the engine.
2000 Durango ZL1 AWD
1999 Dakota R/T 6.0/6l90
The story: This engine came from Craigslist. Purchased from a 70-year-old man who bought it to replace the big block in his '66 Chevelle. You can just see it under the car cover in one of the following pictures. He started talking to his old car buddies, and they all agreed the wiring was just too much hassle. I have know idea what he paid for it, but he was told it came from a 2004 Suburban with 145k miles. It has 706 heads, new alternator, and all of the accessories, brackets, pullies and all of the wiring harness except the leg that goes to the ECM. It was cut off about a foot from the engine.
It's either a 4.8 (LR4) or the more popular 5.3 (LM7).
My first stop is ebay, which tells me that the 4.8 didn't come in a Suburban. That makes sense due to weight. The 5.3 and 6.0 were the only options. So I'm about 25% sure right now it is a 5.3.
The LM7's are priced from $200 for a bare, used block to $1500 or so for a drop-out with everything intact, but it seems about $1000 plus shipping will buy one if you watch ebay for a few days. LR4's seems to go for about $800 for a complete dropout. Maybe other people are finding them cheaper locally, and saving shipping. Anyone?
I paid $350 for this one.
Since it is a cast iron block with aluminum heads, and not the LH6 aluminum block I started out looking for, I am going to call it Project Bottom Heavy.
Some pictures of the outside of the engine.
2000 Durango ZL1 AWD
1999 Dakota R/T 6.0/6l90
