hey guys is there a big difference in the engines in a 2000-2002 5.3 to a 03 or an 04 5.3 one thing that i have heard was the fly by wire compared to the cable throttle. So please help me out here, im in search of a truck and im having a hard time finding a 2000 to 02 and i want to know what the pros and cons are to going newer or older. thanks guys quick help is very appreciated
Justin

 

You hit the biggest engine difference, drive by wire vs cable. There was an EGR valve up to 2002 or 2001, can't remember which.
Body wise the 1999-2002 Silverado were very close, 2000+ had the possibility of 4 doors instead of 3. 2003+ went to the Avalanche style front end.
The 4L60E tranny is the weakest link, most high performance mods will wipe them out unless they are beefed up with upgraded servos and shift kits. Keep an eye on it while test driving. Engine wise any and all the LSx motors swap/drop in so don't let a 4.8L scare you off.
Personal opinion, I like the 99-02 front end, 4 doors, 5.3L, and the cable operated TB.

 

yeah i know about all the body differences and such, just wondering about the engine differences and i know the cable tb difference, the cable is much better right ???? thats what i assume from what i have read before. im just having a hard time finding a 2000-2002 rcsb with 5.3 around where i live so i am thinking about moving up to maybe a 03 or 04. i found a perfect truck but its in nashville thru carmax and i have to pay to transfer and its gonna take 3 weeks so that kinda sucks. well thanks for the help !

 

drive by wire and cable thottle boddies have the same performance.
both year engines have the same output power.

 

wow really ? i thought i read somewhere that the cable was better. well thats great to know! thanks a lot anymore comments are very welcome

 

come on please someone help me out here

 

Both types have plus/minuses, it really depends on what your future plans for upgrades are.
I prefer the cable system for throttle response, plus I think it might be easier to tune if you go forced induction.
Bluecajun is right, there are no power rating differences between the 5.3L models.

 

yea i know that the power ratings are the same, but performance wise like you said throttle response, how different is the response cuz i had an 01 and the response was awesome. i hope to make at least 400 horsepower im not trying to make it the fastest ever, just enough for me to beat a lightning HAHAHA lol. i have a diablosport that ill be putting on it and prob do exhaust right away and then be happy for a little while and mybe throw n2o on it. i would prob never do FI on it cuz if i had the money for it i would just swap a 6.0 in . well thanks Justin

 

I definitely notice my 03's drive by wire throttle. It is very sensitive/responsive, in fact sometimes too much so in stop and go driving. Still when driving fast I definitely enjoy it's performance when compared to a drive by wire. As far as mods go I think a drive by wire aftermarket throttle body is probably cheaper so that's a plus I guess.

 

No EGR on mine "02"