I am bout to get me a GMC short bed reg cab pu. I want the 5.3 motor but I ran accross one with a 4.8. What is the difference between the 4.8 and the 5.3 truck motors. Any info helpfull. Thanks Chase

 

if you are looking to make the truck faster in the future i would save the money now by buying the 4.8 and swap it out to a 6.0. it bolts right in and a good used one can be had for $1500 or less.

thats my vote

<small>[ September 12, 2002, 09:27 PM: Message edited by: parish8 ]</small>

 

I disagree. I would go with the 5.3 right now. For the $795 option difference financed over time, it would be my choice. You can put just about every bolt on there is 4.8 and still not get the torque numbers a 5.3 puts down with an intake and muffler. This comming from a guy with a 4.8. If you are slowly going to work your way into modding, get the 5.3, you won't be disappointed. The 4.8 is a good motor, but the mods work so much better with a 5.3.

Differences are:
4.8 = 270hp/285tq, bore/96.01 x stroke/83mm

5.3 = 285hp/325tq, bore/96.01 x stroke/92mm

 

6.0 300hp, 365tq

if your just looking for a nice running truck than yea, the 5.3 with a few bolt on's is the way to go but with just a little more cash than the 5.3 will cost ya you can have a 6.0

$800 for the 5.3 could go toward a 6.0 now the 6.0 only costs $700 plus about 10hours install. 40ft/lbs for $700 is a prety good deal. if the 5.3 is better than the 4.8 than the 6.0 must be better than the 5.3. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" /> there no replacement for displacement. just my .02, many people consider swaping out an engine a prety extreme project.

<small>[ September 12, 2002, 09:39 PM: Message edited by: parish8 ]</small>

 

i got that same truck your looking for but with the 5.3. i've raced a few trucks exactly like mine but instead with 4.8's. both engines have awesome power. but the 5.3 has a little bit more pickup and alot more top end power than the 4.8. but like parish said, there is always the 6.0 and there's not many trucks like you want with that engine, so you get unique points for that...all it takes is money.

btw, anyone know if you can order a truck with a 6.0?

 

The first 6.0 offering starts at the 1500HD 4dr, then up to the 2500's.

I don't disagree about the 6.0 being a better more powerful motor, but most people getting a new truck are not ready to yank the motor and drop in a power plant. But if you are that kind of guy, get a 4.8, short cab, no option stripper (but with an auto) drop in the 6.0 and a sneaky pete and you will win some cash. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

Greg

 

what is a 1/4 mile time for a stock 5.3 and a stock 4.8 truck reg cad.

 

I recently switched from a 99 Formula 6-Speed and I can tell you even with the 5.3 and 3.73 in a reg cab short box the difference is night and day. If you really want to go fast get a LS1 car. Damn I miss mine <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" /> Having said that, the 5.3 RCSB 2wd 3.73 combo has been a great daily driver. I have since added a Corsa cat-back and a set of Mille Miglia 18" wheels with 285/55-18" Scorpian Zeros. Overall this has been a very enjoyable daily driver. I would opt for the 5.3 personally. If you want to swap out to a 6.0 the 5.3 will have better resale, and if your not up for swapping then you will be happy you went with it.
Being new here I would like to hear more about the 6.0 swap. Any of you swappers out there interested in writing up a how-to on this? How about breaking out all the costs,problems, and lessons learned?

Shackle drop this weekend and then I need to leave this damn truck alone for awhile. There is another car needing my attention <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

<small>[ September 12, 2002, 10:09 PM: Message edited by: silverado_sport_truck ]</small>

 

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Fast4.8:
<strong>You can put just about every bolt on there is 4.8 and still not get the torque numbers a 5.3 puts down with an intake and muffler.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">yup, the 5.3 is a better by for sure. the torque difference is insane. Alot of people dont think about there being much difference between a 4.8L and a 5.3L, but ask them if they would rather have a 346LS1 or a 375-383LS1 (same diff in displacement) and you KNOW which one they would choose.

If it was me i would just get the special edition 5.3L "Theft Recovery". all really depends on how fast you really want to go.

 

my stock 4.8L SCSB fleetside ran 15.99 in the heat. thats bone stock right down to the paper filter with like 4 thousand on odometer.

if yur looking to be faster NOW, get the 5.3. if you wanna be faster later, get the 4.8 and swap to the 6.0. and of course if you've just got cash flowing from every orifice of yur body get the 5.3 now and switch to a 6.0 later.

<small>[ September 13, 2002, 08:46 AM: Message edited by: crazyidiot4.8 ]</small>