2002 P/U, 4.3 to 5.3, 6.0. Where to get an Engine??

Hey guys,

First off, I've been lurking for quite a while and I have to say, this is an awesome community. Good advice, friendly. I like it.

Now the post: I have a 2002 Silverado, 4.3, 4l60e, short bed, single cab.

I'd love to put a LS engine into it, beef up the 60e to a 65e and go fast. It would be a daily driver, but I get the joy of stoplight racing :D I've been wanting to do something like this for a while, ever since I had a friend put a 5.7 into his '86 Monte Carlo. He did more than just that, but not part of the thread.

Now what I would like to suggest is something like the 4.3 to 6.0 sticky swap that was written well. Lots of advice and suggestion from experience.

But a 'how' to find an engine, suggestions from people that have gone through the search, the bargaining, the purchase.

Junkyard or Craigslist? Private Junkyard or something corporate like LKQ?

What to look for? (For instance, searching for a ls 5.3, you might actually get a 4.8. Not a lot of 'newer' people know this, so its good information to share) How risky is it to get something with 120k + miles, can you trust someone that says it only has 40k?

When going to pick it up, what should you look to have included? Harness? Alternator? Water pump? Obviously those things will end up adding to the price, so is cutting 300 to get a bare engine vs. accessories worth it?

I don't think this should turn into a huge lengthy discussion of what you should do to an engine, but things that people can have on the top of their head when they go to search. As to not get taken advantage of or make a huge mistake.

you have already made it a lengthy discussion; so many places to find an engine! 5.3l(92mm) is a stroked 4.8l(88mm). If you buy everything together its cheaper. find a complete donor and swap everything over

Car-part.com

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Originally Posted by blacstar

you have already made it a lengthy discussion; so many places to find an engine! 5.3l(92mm) is a stroked 4.8l(88mm). If you buy everything together its cheaper. find a complete donor and swap everything over

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So if the 5.3 is just a stroked 4.8, you could essential get either if you planned on increasing the cubic inches later down the road. Same block and intake?

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Originally Posted by jelliott1458

So if the 5.3 is just a stroked 4.8, you could essential get either if you planned on increasing the cubic inches later down the road. Same block and intake?

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Don't waste your time making a 4.8/5.3 bigger. You can get a 6.0 for less money. Motor wise mileage isnt too important as long as you upgrade the valvetrain which is a must anyways. If you want a 4.8/5.3 then go with boost when you want more power.

A built 60e is also a time bomb it will work but the question will always be for how long. Go for a built TH400 or 80e.

First off, welcome to the site. Lots of info here. Just look and ask.

I guess it depends on what you are willing to spend or your experience level. If you search Craiglslist and find something local, make sure you can hear it run before purchasing. If you have to pull it yourself, this may get you a cheaper priced engine than if it was pulled by someone else. By pulling it yourself, you can also be meticulous about pulling the harness and associated pieces you will need to complete the swap into your older truck. Plus you may be able to wheel and deal for needed parts with a private owner compared to a yard.
Engines already pulled are going to cost more and without the benefit of hearing it run. I would think you are also at the mercy of the yard that pulled it for accessories needed for the swap.

Personally, I would look for a 6.0 liter. Either an LQ4 or LQ9. No replacement for displacement. If you have the opportunity to listen to the engine prior to removal, and check it's oil pressure, I wouldn't hesitate buying it if it sounded good. That is, of course, it has the exhaust system intact so you can hear any potential noises(knocks or raps).

My personal experience is with an engine purchased locally off Craigslist. It was still in the truck with exhaust intact and 144,000 miles on the clock. After sorting out some wiring issues to get the fuel pump to run, it fired right up and settled into a nice smooth idle even after sitting for over a year. I wheeled and dealed with the owner who had it listed for 9 or so months on CL. He wanted $500 for the engine. I got the engine, harness, computer, entire exhaust system, transfer case with blown 4L80 trans and fuel pump for $600. Granted, I spent two afterrnoons after work getting the engine unhooked and cutting out the harness carefully. But I feel I got a great deal. He also sold me the 4L60E trans out of a '99 Escalade for $150.
After selling my old 5.7 liter Gen I engine for $150 and the blown 4L80E along with the accompanying transfer case for $100, my total out of pocket expenses for the engine was $500. Tack on $300 for incidentals to get the new engine up and running, and that gets me to the total of $800 for the entire swap.
As you can see, deals can be had if time is on your side.

Hopefully your search goes well. Good luck!!!

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Originally Posted by kerrige

A built 60e is also a time bomb it will work but the question will always be for how long. Go for a built TH400 or 80e.

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I've heard mixed things on the 60E being unstable. As a standard 60, yes its a time bomb. But beefing it up to a 65e and replacing a few parts makes it viable. Also, I found this super sexy truck online that's running a forced induction 5.3 with the 60e trans. Is there something I'm missing?

http://www.superchevy.com/features/t...o/viewall.html

Basically if I could just buy an engine, without trying to find an 80e and improving the 60e might save me some doll hairs.

60e in a truck no matter what you do will eventually break. Its only a matter of time. An 80e with a shift kit and proper cooler will support far more power and reliably. If you are looking for a 6.0 it will most likely be mated to an 80e anyways. Built 60e is far more expensive than a low mileage 80e.

So I'm talking to different junk yards and I keep getting $1200-2000 quotes just for the LQ4 with no 80e attached. This seems ridiculous to me. Any advice guys?

Depends on where you live I got my 6.0 long block for 350 $ and just sold a running long block for 500 $ but around here 800 $ seems to be about max for a 6.0 mind you the 6.0 I got I had no intentions on worrying if it even rotated cus everything was being replaced and upgraded.