prepping for my first swap...again
 

I planned to do it last year but like a lot of times, things just got in the way.

I bought a box van with a 5.3. The engine sticker said 5.3. The paperwork in the glove box said 5.3 and it ran really well but hit pretty hard. I took it as it was going to be the base.

Pulled the engine and clearly stamped on the back is 4.8. Sort of a set back last year and now I am ready to move forward.

This will go in a 72 K5. I am not looking for an 700HP dragster but one, it is a project I've never done and I like to drive it everywhere/anywhere.

End of the day what are the drawbacks to going with the 4.8. Pros and cons for me, is the pros, I already have it and I feel like it is in good shape/good engine.

I'm 50 now and in years past I could engine swap/transmission swap all nite/every nite. Now I don't seem to have the ass nor the gas to do things twice, if that makes sense.

Is settling on the 4.8 a bad idea?

Scott

Re: prepping for my first swap...again
 

Are you sure it's not a 5.3? They share the same block....... my 5.3 also has "4.8/5.3" cast in the backside but once I checked the pistons and everything, I verified it was a 5.3L....

Good luck either way once you start, either engine makes a decent engine to play with .

Re: prepping for my first swap...again
 

Vin number can help you figure what it is. Also if you can get a look at the piston. Sometimes through the spark plug hole.

Re: prepping for my first swap...again
 

Same as above - they are the same block. The pistons on the 5.3 are dished and 4.8 are flat.

Sounds like it should be a 5.3, but look at the pistons and you can tell.

A 4.8 isn't a bad engine, it doesn't make that much less power than a 5.3. No matter which engine it turns out to be, you could put a cam in it, a tune, intake, and exhaust and it will probably be plenty of power for you.

Re: prepping for my first swap...again
 

I have not pulled it down or even looked in a plug hole.

A friend told me about the 'either/or' engines that have 4.8/5.3L on the back of the block. This one just has 4.8. Maybe I get lucky and it is as advertised.

The VIN number on the van says 5.3L.

I'm ready to get the ball going in the next week or so. Once I dig in I will know more.

Thanks for the replies.

Scott

Re: prepping for my first swap...again
 

Are you sure you just didn't see the 5.3 on the block? Because I've never seen one that didn't have both 4.8 and 5.3 cast in it.

FWIW, I have a 4.8 in one of my trucks and cant tell the difference between it and my other truck with a 5.3.

Re: prepping for my first swap...again
 

Possible I did not see a 5.3 but I will check again tomorrow.

It has been 6-7 months since I pulled the engine from the chassis.

I only remember seeing the 4.8.

I have also read there is not a lot of difference in the two but this is my first LS swap. I do not want to go through the process and then be disappointed in the end to the point I need to do it again.

Just trying to get some ducks in a row before hand.

S

Re: prepping for my first swap...again
 

I have a 4.8 in my 71 and with a basic tune on it I cant tell a difference between it and the 5.3s in my tahoe and suburban besides the 4.8 loves rpms and screams I just slapped mine In I'd do the basics while u have it out like valley pan gasket knock sensors intake gasket and vavle cover gaskets and rear main