Hi all, I'm going to look at an engine and tranny pulled from a '01 4x4. How can I tell if its a 5.3 or 4.8 ? Thank in advance, Kirk.

 

I believe the 7th letter on the vin if it still has a vin on it.. Someone correct me if Im wrong, I believe its number 7

 

The 5.3's gonna have dished pistons where the 4.8 is gonna have flat tops.....when I checked the motor I bought I just pulled a plug took a flashlight and spun the engine over to where I could see the top of the piston.....Exterior wise I think there pretty much the same on the outside

 

Is the vin stamped on the block somewhere ??

 

sorry just found it out. its the 8th digit.. T or Z is a 5.3, V is a 4.8 and U is 6.0. Hope it helped