Should I buy a '99 silverado or buy new LS?

[knomadd]

I'm looking at doing an LS swap sometime in the future. I don't have an immediate need for it as my current setup works just fine and I'm not in a rush to replace it. I do know that I want to do an LS swap at some point though.

So, I've got a coworker who says he's going to buy a different truck next year because his won't pass inspection next time. It's a 1999 Silverado 1500 with a 5.3 and a 4l60e (not certain on the trans, but I think that's it). He drives it to work every day so I know it runs well. It has about 250K miles on it so I know it'll need to be rebuilt, along with the trans.

What do you guys think? Would it be worth buying it from him for about $1500 and then rebuild both the engine and trans? Or would I be better off finding a low mile pull-out or do a complete build or buy a crate motor instead?

I know my wife would say I don't need it... I just don't know what kind of money I'd be dropping on this swap if I'm starting with a rebuild.

[Tropical Snowstorm]

I always prefer to have a donor vehicle when doing an engine or drivetrain swap. You'll get a wiring harness that wasn't cut or pinched by a salvage yard, you'll get a drivetrain that you've seen run and drive, you can sell the unneeded parts to recoup some costs... the list goes on. It's almost always better to have a donor vehicle (as long as you have the space to keep it).

[custom97]

Have to agree with Snowstorm. I'm also going that route when I decide to do my swap in the 86.

[Indian113]

I think that would be a way to go, I paid $800.00 for my 5.3 with harness. You could sell quite a bit of the truck and get some money back. I don't think it would need much overhaulin.

[knomadd]

If I can work out the storage (no room at home, and neighbors would kill me for having a junk yard, if my wife let me live long enough for that to happen ) what would you think the maximum price would be for the truck? He suggested that I buy it from him one day when we were talking about plans for my 71. I don't want to get ripped off, but I don't want him to feel insulted by an offer. I'll ask him what he wants for it first, but I really have no idea what it's worth. Any suggestions on what I should keep my limit at for this?

[Billett]

The swap itself is going to cost a small fortune, donor vehicle or not. Plan on a minimum of $5k for the whole swap. I'm in mine closer to 6 or 7 now but I needed to replace a few worn out parts in the process.

[dwcsr]

Originally Posted by knomadd

I'm looking at doing an LS swap sometime in the future. I don't have an immediate need for it as my current setup works just fine and I'm not in a rush to replace it. I do know that I want to do an LS swap at some point though.

So, I've got a coworker who says he's going to buy a different truck next year because his won't pass inspection next time. It's a 1999 Silverado 1500 with a 5.3 and a 4l60e (not certain on the trans, but I think that's it). He drives it to work every day so I know it runs well. It has about 250K miles on it so I know it'll need to be rebuilt, along with the trans.

What do you guys think? Would it be worth buying it from him for about $1500 and then rebuild both the engine and trans? Or would I be better off finding a low mile pull-out or do a complete build or buy a crate motor instead?

I know my wife would say I don't need it... I just don't know what kind of money I'd be dropping on this swap if I'm starting with a rebuild.

1500 is twice what you should be paying and with that many miles on a 99 its worth core price. I rebuilt my 5.3 and it cost me $800 purchase with trans and harness plus 3000 for rebuild, new accessories and assorted needs. So it was not bargain, but I had never done a LSx so I tried it. I would buy a rebuilt or a crate next time.

Look at this
http://houston.craigslist.org/pts/4144600722.html it may be worth the drive to SA to ge one.

I also purchased a connect and cruise 5.3 which include everything you need except, fuel pump, plumbing, Alt , starter. its almost drop it in and go but its $9500. it has 2007-12 LC9, 4l65E, converter, Harnesses for engine and Trans, nuts bolts covers and more.

I think 1500 for cores is way to much and I say core because you need to rebuild both so you really need cores for that. Running or not they are still cores.

[crazy longhorn]

Too much money, for the miles (250 k)....I spent 1700, on a 2000 GMC, that was wrecked, with 138,000 on the clock. After all parts sold, I had nothing in the engine/harness /ect. It still cost 400, for a regrind /surface/pressure test on the heads + 250 for the top end gaskets + 250 for the ARP head bolts & 65 for the LS 6 springs. You don't want to build it from scratch, unless your pockets are deep Best bet, is a lower miles pull out....blow the dust off, & plant it! Longhorn

[knomadd]

Thanks for the info guys. Dave, I'll have to look into the San Antonio place before I need to make a decision.

I spoke with my coworker this evening about it and he said he'd need to get a new truck around February and he might just give me his old truck. If it's free, I'm not sure I could pass it up, but I've got to do a lot of research on machine shops before then to see if it's still worth it. He did say the trans was rebuilt about 40,000 miles ago, so it sounds like the it should be fine. The truck doesn't leak (there's evidence of this in his parking spot at work), but he said the thermostat is stuck open and he's had to replace the MAF sensor and still has a couple of codes on it. I'll want to run the codes before I commit fully to this, and I'll likely post up what I find to see if I can get any more advice from you guys.

With this new info, and knowing an engine rebuild would likely be in order because of the mileage, would this still be an option for any of you?

I want to do this swap, but I don't want to shoot myself in the foot before I even start.

[crazy longhorn]

If it comes in free99....its like a sore "weenie"....you just cant beat it You will have all the brackets/ect that you need. You might price out the 5.3 as a long block (Summit,Jegs,Pace ,ect ), vs the build price? Longhorn

[solidaxel]

You need to start somewhere, and the experience of doing the swap with the wore out engine will give you plenty!
Who knows how long it will live, drive it like it was a free engine until you blow it up THEN replace all the hard parts. R&R the engine should not take too long as all the gingerbread will all ready be complete

[Kainedogg]

Hi D,

if you have no space, you have no space. If you do find space then even for 1k it's not a bad deal. Once you do your wiring harness yourself and get some decent mounts, you will be ahead of the game. I don't fear high mileage motors especially when you can see and hear it run. Take a test drive with your buddy and if you like how it moves out, then grab it next year.

[knomadd]

Thanks for all the input guys. I appreciate it. I'll see what he wants to do when the time comes. I'm still thinking I'll take it off his hands if it's free. Even if it's up to $1000 I'll consider it. Anything more than that, I may need to just pass on it.

[Jonboy]

If you got the truck to do your swap, you can find a low mileage 5.3 pretty easily if the engine gives up the ghost. I would do the swap with the engine you get with the donor, then pull it later and replace the long block if necessary. You can get the swap done and everything how you want it that way.

[mmiddle]

These LS engines go forever. I would not be afraid of a 250k motor if it has been taken care of. My son's 99 Z71 has near 400K and runs perfect. He is 17 and bought it from his cousin that was also a teenager. All told the last 6 years the truck has been subjected to 2 teens and still runs great. Half of that 400K is from the teen drivers.

[67swb72klb]

[QUOTE=mmiddle;6403750]These LS engines go forever. I would not be afraid of a 250k motor if it has been taken care of. My son's 99 Z71 has near 400K and runs perfect. He is 17 and bought it from his cousin that was also a teenager. All told the last 6 years the truck has been subjected to 2 teens and still runs great. Half of that 400K is from the teen drivers.[/QUOTE]

thats saying somthing if they are normal teens with a heavy right foot

[solidaxel]

Originally Posted by mmiddle

These LS engines go forever. I would not be afraid of a 250k motor if it has been taken care of. My son's 99 Z71 has near 400K and runs perfect. He is 17 and bought it from his cousin that was also a teenager. All told the last 6 years the truck has been subjected to 2 teens and still runs great. Half of that 400K is from the teen drivers.

So which consumable parts were replaced in 400K miles
Water pump
Alternator
A/C pump
Belts
Hoses
Thermostat
Starter
Plugs
Front or back C/S seals
Valve job
Do you have any history of repairs?

My 78 350 has over 300K and I have had it since 78 and the valve covers have never been off, but the oil was changed every 3000K miles, but the alt, water pump, A/C, fuel pump, plugs (many times) and 2 TH350 and two seats!
The reason for the change
out to the Vortec is the valve stem seals have worn out !!! The truck still only gets 10 to 11 miles a gallon just like it did in 78.
Power is the same as it was in 78 (lacking)
So lets see what fails in the next 300000 with the Vortec!

[68GMCCustom]

There's also something to be said for going new.... but its certainly never going to be the cheaper route. Its not always just the motor or trans to be afraid of tho...older alternators, water pumps, starters, belts and hoses, etc. can ruin your day if one goes out.

[Jonboy]

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

There's also something to be said for going new.... but its certainly never going to be the cheaper route. Its not always just the motor or trans to be afraid of tho...older alternators, water pumps, starters, belts and hoses, etc. can ruin your day if one goes out.

This is true, but I would probably swap out the belts, hoses, etc. If I was doing the swap anyhow. Judging by his GTO, that's probably a safe bet.

[71swb4x4]

If it runs fine I would not crack it open. Swap it over and drive it.

[egaray281]

i would do it ride it till it blows out then rebuild it you was gonna do it anyways! my uncle also has a 99 with 280k miles and runs perfect! im trying to convince him to sell it to me but he doesnt want to let it go and plus im having the same problem i have no place to keep it and tear the trucks apart especially with H.O.A.!

[tlorber]

FWIW I recently bought an '05 LM7 w/4l60e for $1,900 from someone that rolled his Silverado. Motor has 73,000, heads were replaced in 2012 under some warranty program. He included all harnesses, PCM, DBW pedal + TAC module. This will be used in a frame/motor swap for my '54 going onto an S10 frame. God help me!

[knomadd]

That's great info guys. I'm glad you've all chimed in. Thanks for the help. When he's ready to get rid of it I'll see if he still feels generous enough to give it to me, or sell it cheap. Before I agree to take it off his hands, I'll drive it and run the codes it has on it to see what needs to be fixed for the computer to be happy. Other than that, I know I'd want to replace the fluids, check the belt and replace parts as necessary. I'm a little cautious when it comes to taking a good running motor apart. Especially if it doesn't leak.

I originally said I'd want to rebuild it simply because I've never worked with the LS style motors. I know they can last longer, but I am not familiar with just how much longer they can last without being worked over. I feel better about the 250k miles now that I've heard a few examples of these engines lasting beyond that. There's another 5.3 in our parking lot at my office that has a pretty big oil leak, which in that case I'd be more convinced I'd have to open it up. The truck I'm looking at doesn't leak, so that's a good sign.