Can I just use a 5.3 crank and pistons in a 4.8 block? Also, what heads will interchange? Thanks.

 

All you need are the crank and rods, the pistons are identical. This includes the heads, all are the same ( except the 6.0L ).
BTW, the crank/rods in the 5.3L are the exact same in the 5.7L and 6.0L, so don't limit yourself to just a 5.3L. Lots of guys with the stroker kits and extra parts around ( including myself ). Gotta love GM for this....
FWIW, you can HAVE the crank and rods, just pay shipping from 87114. Need to clean up the garage.

 

the Pistons ARE NOT identical. The 4.8L uses flat top pistons and the 5.3 uses dish pistons. We have built a few engines that used 4.8 flat top pistons with the stock 5.3 rods and crank to give us a 10:1 compression engine verses the stock 9.5:1.

Hope that helps.

 

That's interesting because I asked this same question on here before and someone was saying that the 4.8 pistons wouldn't work with the 5.3 rods for some reason. Were you able to actually confirm 10:1 compression on that engine with 4.8 pistons?

 

I have been wondering about this same swap. Not to hijack or anything but what would the gains be? Would it be the same as just getting a 5.3?

 

ktmrider, PM sent.

Thanks for all of the info guys. I`m new to these motors and don`t know what interchanges. Keep the good info coming. Thanks again.

 

damn, this thread has some conflicting info.

 

Thx guys, I always forget about that ( dished pistons ).
Maybe Richard/BigTex will chime in. Some guys were thinking about de-stroking a 6.0L with a 4.8L crank/rods and he did a ton of research regarding piston pin height, deck clearance, etc.
There is not much HP to be gained but quite a bit more torque ( 285 to 325 or so ). If you have the 4.8 apart it is easy enough to do ( I think ). Most guys are gonna tell ya to go 6.0L or 402cid tho. Budget wise the 5.3L makes sense.

 

right now I just want to get my feet wet with a stocker or maybe a mild cam and clean up on the heads. Maybe someday I`ll go bigger but this is going into my 68 p/u and I really just want a fun driver.

 

you will need to use the 5.3 crank, rods, and pistons, the pistons are the same size as the 4.8 but they have a dish, I think it was said if you use the 4.8 flat tops you will get piston slap real bad and the valve clearance is not too good