Finally going to swap the 4.8 for a 5.3 with built trans next week. Any tips or tricks anyone want to share. Truck is a 2004 silverado. Should I remove the radiator core support and grille, or should it come out without too much trouble. I plan on pulling engine and trans together, and installing new engine and trans together. What kind of time frame am I looking at just taking my time, no hurry because I have two weeks to complete the swap and also put on a brake upgrade, new hubs, shocks, etc.

 

I would say pull the radiator to have that much more working room, just two bolts and it lifts out. Then I would say you could probably get everything disconnected and out in two days working at a slow relaxed pace.

 

If you put the truck on jack stands high enough you don't have move the.core support.remove intake for little extra inches of room.

 

Keep hands/fingers out from in between the engine and core support

 

Should be able to have the motor and trans out in around 3-4 hours. Pulling them togather is easy. Disconnnect wiring, disconnect driveshaft, and you only have a few bolts after that.

Exhaust should be easiest at the heads you can use a longer extention and go through the wheel wells.

I would pull the radiator. I pulled my engine with the radiator in but I didn't have the trans attatched so the extra room would be nice!