Hi Folks,

I've got a 99 4.8L with 140k on it. I had always planned on waiting till the stock setup was starting to tire before rebuilding for performance... but lately i've started wondering... dollar for dollar, is it a better idea to rebuild this engine for performance (stop light to stop light) or drop in a HO crate motor?

I was going to get started this summer on this engine, even have a savings account dedicated to it but now i'm wondering if i should just save some more and drop something else...


also... this is a 2 part Q. mine is an extended cab short box 2wd. I love it, but damn those standard cabs are so much better looking (from a sport perspective). Theres a standard cab SS for sale down the road within my price range.... and for those of you who have them, would i regret giving up my ext cab?

thanks folks-

 

If you can afford both trucks, that would be the way to go, Plus if it is a SS, Then it already has a LQ9 (6.0) Engine. But if you choose to keep yours then I'd start hunting for a 6.0l to drop in. I just swaped a 6.0 in mine so I'm not sure if you would be better off money wise to do the 4.8l build or the 6.o swap. There are a few in here that build the 4.8/5.3L and make good power out of them. maybe they will chime in.

 

Well, if its a rc, its not a SS. I love the look of the RCSB SS clones though. Justy letting you know its not a real SS. I have a rc and after having all extra cabs, I doubt I'll be going back. I have a rcsb Z-71, and want to do the SS clone thing also.
As far as rebuilding the 4.8, I thiink you would do better finding a low milage LQ9 and swapping in. For what you will spend on a good, used LQ9, you wouldnt be able to get the power out of your 4.8 even if it didn't need the rebuild. You can get power out of the 4.8's and 5.3's, but its just not worht the money IMO.
Good luck, and welcome to the site.

 

much appreciated guys-

thats what I thought!! it also has a 5.7 in it, which i though the SS only came with the 6.0. the dealership is marketing it as an SS though...

so you don't miss the extended huh? good to hear. i was thinking that a flush mount toolbox that didn't rise above the bedline would be all i needed because that extended cab just fills with gym bags and the like right now anyways!

hey Wilde, how difficult is the 6.0 swap? I'm assuming you had something much smaller before? I saw one fellow that had a 6.0+4L80E for i think $2300... sounds a hell of a lot better than a 4.8 rebuild!

 

Sounds interesting, they werent available with the 5.7 eigther. Eigther the dealership doesn't know WTF they are talking about, or someond did an engine swap. I believe there are some guys on here that have done the LS1 swap into a truck, maybe they will chime in.
As far as the extended cab. I usually am fine with the room I have. In my extra cab, I had a tool box. This truck has neigther. I think it stays much cleaner inside too. If I go to the gym, I just throw my bag on the pass floor, and I use the space behind the seat a lot too.
BTW $2300 for a 6.0 and 4l80 is a great buy, but it is probably the LQ4 not the LQ9. The LQ4 is the lower compression motor. The LQ9 is rated at 345 hp, not sure how much lower the LQ4 is rated, but I'm sure someone will let you know. Eigther way, it will probably be less than rebuilding your 4.8, and you will get so much more.

 

true, I'm just a little worried about exploding my 4l60e... again...lol.

 

i don't think the dealership really knows what they are talking about on this truck. it has SS emblems on the side (decals actually) but it is a rc, 2wd.. i was wrong on engine, it's a 5.3L. here is the link:

http://www.vehiclemart.com/en_US/art...asp?Unit=94082

i don't know about SS interiors, but this one is all cloth. it's really a pretty basic truck except lowered 2" with 20" rims. still pretty sharp though.

 

hey dustin you in western washington?

i love the space of ex. cab and i dont think i could do without it. a single cab will run faster in the quarter and some think they look better, but no space if youre into the whole audio thing and no space for passengers and cargo that needs to be dry.

i think you would be better off putting in a new motor.

 

Yup! in Enumclaw actually-

I agree on the extended cab... I originally bought the ext for one reason.. AUDIO! lol. But then i got married and bought a house.... great for equity, bad for truck...

I was thinking about diving into Kickers buy one get one free deal and getting 6 x 12" comp subs for the ec, but I think performance is more important to me... and when your on a budget your talking this OR that... not this AND that...lol

 

That is a nice looking truck. The SS bumper cover, and a little work, and it would be just like having a 5.3 SS