5.3 rebuild cost?
07-09-2011, 12:46 PM
#12
TECH Regular
I paid $1300 for a 12,000 mile 5.3 and a bunch of swap parts. So say $900 for the motor alone. And that's uber-gay Canadian pricing, they're a lot cheaper on your side of the border.
Then add my heads, cam, ARP hardware, etc. UGH. Pushing $3500 on the little bastard.
Then add my heads, cam, ARP hardware, etc. UGH. Pushing $3500 on the little bastard.
04-11-2016, 12:59 PM
#13
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5.3s
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.
What area are you in with that availability and price ???.my 5.3 has 252k still goin strong but thinkin upgrade is in order
04-11-2016, 01:10 PM
#14
This thread is about 5 years old, prices are going to far different now.
And if the motor is running great I don't see a point in upgrading anything. Tear it down and clean it up if you want to, add a cam if you wish. But it's been proven time and time again that mileage isn't really a problem on these motors. I don't see a single reason to ever get one sent to a machine shop unless there are real issues or you want more cubes. If all the bearings look great and it runs fine, slap it back together.
And if the motor is running great I don't see a point in upgrading anything. Tear it down and clean it up if you want to, add a cam if you wish. But it's been proven time and time again that mileage isn't really a problem on these motors. I don't see a single reason to ever get one sent to a machine shop unless there are real issues or you want more cubes. If all the bearings look great and it runs fine, slap it back together.
04-12-2016, 08:17 AM
#15
I just tore down my 105K gen 4 5.3. all the bearings looked amazing. everything was perfect. cyl still had some cross hatching. Pistons had some crap on the tops but other than looking dirty, it ran fine.
Im in about 2K with the common replacement/performance parts. If you dropped the block to an engine shop, add another 500 ish. After looking at mine, I coulda slapped it all back together and ran it, but i decided to do all the bearings and replace every gasket ( even reusable ones ). Its taking a bit more time and money than I thought but in the end, its basically going to be a "new" engine which I hope to make 600 wheel with. check out my Stage III thread.
Im in about 2K with the common replacement/performance parts. If you dropped the block to an engine shop, add another 500 ish. After looking at mine, I coulda slapped it all back together and ran it, but i decided to do all the bearings and replace every gasket ( even reusable ones ). Its taking a bit more time and money than I thought but in the end, its basically going to be a "new" engine which I hope to make 600 wheel with. check out my Stage III thread.
01-01-2018, 01:12 PM
#17
Come to Minnesota, engines all over for 300-800 on craigslist. Even the junkyards less engine for less than a grand here that aren't 6.0's.
Or just rebuild your 5.3 for less than the cost of $1300. You don't need much to rebuild a 5.3. Clean it, new bearings, dingle ball hone the cylinders, new pistons rings, new lifters and gaskets.
Or just rebuild your 5.3 for less than the cost of $1300. You don't need much to rebuild a 5.3. Clean it, new bearings, dingle ball hone the cylinders, new pistons rings, new lifters and gaskets.
01-25-2018, 07:03 PM
#18
I'm in the same boat, 200k on an 03 Tahoe. I want to do a cam but kinda hesitant with 200k. The WS6 site has a complete kit with pistons, chain, pump, all bearings, all seals for $700, good time to get those flat tops. RPM Speed LS Complete Engine Rebuild Kit | WS6store.com
Lots of 5.3 & 6.0 in Ohio on CL for a decent price. I got burned on the last one, spun main, junk block. Might be headed to KY. on Sat., he will let me pull it apart before i commit. but then again he might have a buyer tomorrow.
Lots of 5.3 & 6.0 in Ohio on CL for a decent price. I got burned on the last one, spun main, junk block. Might be headed to KY. on Sat., he will let me pull it apart before i commit. but then again he might have a buyer tomorrow.
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