Tried to leave that vague to cover all. I have a 2002 Silverado 4.8, reg cab with 4.8 and a 5spd. I've got 250K miles, a slight leak, and not enough power. I'm tired of driving over 4500 rpms to get the almost good enough power out of it. I am looking to get a NEW(ish) engine installed. I am not looking for big power, I'm looking for something that has more and will last another 10 years. I am not specifically looking for either a 5.3 or 6.0. I think budget will end up keeping me at 5.3. Its a pickup that's a daily, I just drive aggressively. For reliability I'd rather have an iron block. I know I want it to have the Gen IV upgraded rods, and higher compression for NA power and fuel mileage. I know I want a cam that is for midrange, and built to allow for higher revs. I am in San Antonio, but would travel anywhere in TX for what I need. I am not in a hurry to get this done at the moment, really looking to see what options I have around here, but I am ready to buy if I thought I found a great deal.

I am also wondering if there's anyone who might be able to "help" or offer a great deal on install. I would love to do it myself, and think I could easily remove or do most of the work, but I'm a disable veteran, and I know that I don't have the ability to work hard on this for days in a row without resting for days in a row in between. If there's any backyard mechanics in this area (once we are able to), I can use the auto shops, full garage on base. (I think currently if you're not a disabled veteran, or active then you can't get on base for covid). I have what should be all the needed hand tools (other than a hoist), I do have a compressor. I'm not sure if there's someone who has a private garage that could give a good rate, maybe if there's a shop that could give a discount if I am only there to fill some down time (not sure if that's a thing, but people are driving less, and have no income). Perhaps a mechanic who is willing to come by on there way to and from work, just to tell me enough to keep me busy for a 'consulting fee', and a hand when its needed.

I'm just going to start taking this a bit more seriously, but I really don't know squat about engines. I just bought the book How to build and modify LS engines, so maybe that will teach me enough along with youtube videos and links I have collected. Once I know what I want for my budget I'll start buying. I'm going to try to start with a budget around $5K for an engine and trans, and the only way to get those rebuilt with other known suggested upgrades, for this budget, would be to do it all myself. Several thousand for labor is not going to happen. If that was an option, I would just start over with a clean 72 c10 with a LS swap and manual transmission already done.

If anyone has an engine or nv3500 parts, repair option, install option, please feel free to post it up or PM me. In the mean time, I'll see if I can figure this out. This will probably take a while, I will update if I actually make any progress. Thanks for reading.

 

I am not sure which shops are in the San Antonio area, but I know Texas Speed offers a military discount on parts. Scoggin Dickey Parts Center is a GM dealer in Texas and might also have something for veterans.

AGearHead4Life did a nice budget build you might want to read up on. He did everything at home. I believe he also served in the military as well. https://www.performancetrucks.net/fo...o-here-523548/

It might give you some Ideas to shoot for.

 

I found out about Scoggin Dickey from reading other threads on here. They have a block I was tempted to grab and start with. I have to figure out a build cost before I go that route, and I have to learn what a build list consists of first. I didn't think of asking for a vet discount with them. Maybe I can get a few parts and try that to make it worth it.

Texas Speed seems to be well praised, but they just seem to be out of the budget on everything. I really don't know enough to know if they are improving something to justify it. I just hadn't even considered them an option. Sounds like I shouldn't rule them out.

The video helps with showing how simple some of it is. I have to break every little step down, and that helps with the confidence to wanting to do this on my own.

 

If I was closer, I would lend a hand.

Texas Speed Grinds their own cams in house. They have moved alot of their own machining in house so they don't need to rely on others to do it for them. I am not saying you have to buy an engine but some of the parts needed to build an engine are on par with what other business charge and sometimes even cheaper when they have sales. Not all places will give a military discount and not all places advertise that they do give one, But Texas Speed does and they Support military members from what I hear.

I don't know How disabled you are but there are plenty of things you can do on your own to save money. This forum Is a great tool as well to get solid advice from when you have a question.

 

+2 on mentioning military discount! Texas speed gave me a small discount but also free shipping I believe. Should be a fun little build when its done, wish I was closer too I'd break some stuff for you.

The Summit rep has really been on here a lot lately and with some good discounts and reasonable prices on parts like their cams give them a shout. @Summitracing

 

I will mention that I did buy a short block From Scoggin Dickey Parts Center and they were easy to deal with in that regards.

At the Time, It saved me from having to source and Build a short block for a specific project, But still waiting to get it on the Dyno... I am not in the Military, But I am working with another vendor on this project and SDPC did extend me a small discount on some other parts I purchased at the same time from them for this build which they were able to put in the same crate and save me the additional shipping cost.

It Never hurts to ask if someone can help. Worst they can say is no.

 

Plane tickets are cheap as **** right now.. I can buy you one, a mask, and $7 no $8 for a food budget. I have a tent with only a few holes, and a sleeping bag for your allotted four hour nap.
Thanks for that, that's nice of ya. I'm really hoping I can do the work myself, its just a lot of money to me, and I currently don't feel comfortable doing it. (Truth is, I need to just spend more time learning how).

I should be able to do all the work physically, but I had something unique happen, and I just don't have the stamina any more. I would 100% build it all myself if I knew how. I would just expect to get about 1/2 done in the same time as your average DIYer, and I expect I will need a couple days down time between.

Texas speed advertises it as a discount on shipping, its good to know it might be more than that. It just seemed like they were more for the big build customer, and I'm trying to do just a little more than stock.

I'm trying to keep an eye on clearance stuff and some bid sniping, but I don't want to start buying mismatched stuff. I'm not desperate, just finally realized I'm ready to go beyond just "maybe some day".



That's good to hear about Dickey Scoggin. They are about a tank each way, and I would drive it to save a couple hundred.

 

Not sure how soon your looking to get it all but maybe look around for deals and then whatever you don't have by black Friday get then.

I have flown to do stuff before but bringing tools on a plane is awful. Not sure how an engine hoist would go either.

 

Take your Time, No sense in rushing it. That's how mistakes happen.

 

Black Friday is not too far away. I have never bothered to look for which holidays have the best engine (parts) deals. If that's it, that's not a bad idea.