I've got a 5.3 lm7 with high miles, I'm wondering how much it would be to install new bearings throughout the whole motor, install new piston rings in it? I can get the block out and get it to the machine shop. I know that its not going to be the same exact price im just looking for a ballpark on what I should pay.

thanks,
adam

 

If you're going that far you might as well make it worth your while and throw some 4.8L flat top pistons in it. Then you'd get a little more compression out of her.

 

I actually want it to be low compression because its getting a turbo thrown on top in the future. the only reason I plan on replacing the bearings and rings is peace of mind. I dont want it blowing until I have a forged 370 on the stand.

 

How many miles are on it? Sorry I don't have a price number, but it seems to me that the general consensus here is if it's not knocking or doesn't have a spun bearing just to leave it alone.

 

I would say around $100 - $200 depending on the brand of bearings and if you disassemble the shortblock or not.

 

You could damn near buy a lq4 from a junk yard cheaper, I'll bet you have close to 700 bucks in it when its all said and done. Think about head bolts,head gaskets,replace lifters,oil pump,polish crank,hone block,have the heads checked out,replace valve springs,300 bucks for bearings and rings. The list goes on and on, I had this happen to me 2 years ago and I replaced my 5.3 with junk yard pullout.

 

160000 I wanna run the 5.3 so I can run more boost.

 

the guy said it ran perfectly fine but I just want that peace of mind.

 

5.3's are dirt cheap with low miles from the yards around here. $500 and you get something with 40k on it from a newer truck. The machine work will cost you roughly 400, rings and bearings are another 300, gaskets and bolts are 150, oil galley plugs, and then comes the stuff that you "might as well replace while you have it torn down," like knock sensors, harness, intake gaskets, valve seals, lifters depending if they are the newer or older version, etc... BTW, I am in the middle of my forged 365 build right now, and like you always here, it's the little stuff that adds up really quick. To do it right, as a stock "refresh" you are close to 1k with only the stuff that you need to do.

 

well since you guys have more experience than me what would you recommend I do?
I plan to pull the heads and replace the head gaskets anyways.