I have a 98 c1500 with the original 4.3l. bout to hit 200k and am wanting to do an LS swap. Ill be buying a used engine out of junk yard, and this will be an everyday driver. my question is with a average guys budget what should I do to this engine to help it last longer if this engine has..say 100k+ miles on it.?? this would be a project over the summer and Im not looking to race it but I do want it to have some *****. im not looking to do a complete engine overhall. any sugestions?

 

I would probably take the heads off so you could get a look at the inside of the engine, since it will be from a junkyard and you say over 100K miles. 100K miles isn't that much for these engines though. Are you just wanting to run the engine stock or do any upgrades at all to it like a small cam at least?

Just take the heads off and start from there.

If it was closer to 150K miles on the engine then I would probably change the lifters to the replacement LS7 lifters for $120ish, standard oil pump for $70ish, and maybe a new LS2 timing chain for $38. You may or may not want to change the cam bearings for $30.

That is if the engine looks to of had a hard life and you are **** about your engines and such. It doesn't hurt to change out the parts now while on an engine stand, so you don't have to worry about it later on.

Some guys just run the engine as is and takes a gamble. Also some people that do basic cam swaps on 100K mile engines don't ever touch the timing chain, Oil pump or lifters.

It's your call.

I would probably try to find a 5.3L at least and under 100K miles, if everything looks good inside the engine then just button it all back up and run it as is.

 

thank you. I was just guessing on the milage, you never what you get at a junk yard. yes i was wanting to do mild cam and port n polish. and I appreciate a straight answer from some1 on a forum and not a smart *** answer like I would get on another forum, and I wont mention any names

 

No problem man. I think I know what forum you are talking about too LOL.