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#1 |
70+ ( Old Skool Club )
![]() Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada
Posts: 9,119
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Question about GM 5.3 Engine
For the last 2 years I've been hunting all over the net and locally for a Suburban that would suit me. Anyway I found one locally the other day that should work for me but I need some advice. The one I found is a 2000 with the 5.3 engine and I guess a 4L80E Trans. I do not know anything about the 5.3 GM engines and I know a lot of you folks have daily drivers with that engine in it. My question is is the 5.3 as good an engine as the old 5.7 TBI and 5.7 Vortec engines? Does anyone have a 5.3 they have put 150 to 200,000 miles on cause I'd like to know how its standing up. Thanks...
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1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021 |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Sparks, NV
Posts: 18
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Re: Question about GM 5.3 Engine
I had a 2000 pickup with the same motor/tranny (tranny should be a 4L60E). Anyways, had 127k on it when I sold it, never a problem. Sold it to a friend, they've easily put another 50k on it with no problems. They are good motors, but with anything it depends on how they've been taken care of. I personally think they are better than the 350 they replaced, in a longevity sense among others.
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#3 | |
70+ ( Old Skool Club )
![]() Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada
Posts: 9,119
|
Re: Question about GM 5.3 Engine
Quote:
__________________
1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021 |
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#4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Valley Center KS
Posts: 3,525
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Re: Question about GM 5.3 Engine
I've had 4 cars with LS1s in them (aluminum 5.7L vs iron 5.3L) and my crew cab has the 5.3L in it too. I've never had an engine related problem with any of them. If you keep them stock they are pretty much ultra reliable. I know of guys that have big cams, heads, other mods which have made them less reliable under race conditions, but in stock form they're great (reliability wise) even when pushed hard (I've raced all of my LS1 cars
![]() In contrast I had a 97 Tahoe with the Vortec 350 in it. I had some issues with intake manifold gasket, heater hose fitting on the intake, coil/distributor problems, and a bad water pump. Not that any of them were big deals, but not as good as the genIII engines. And the 5.3L has more power and gets better fuel mileage. I guess there is a reason my 68 has a genIII in it ![]() |
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#5 |
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Greenfield, MO
Posts: 215
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Re: Question about GM 5.3 Engine
I've got a 99 GMC with the 5.3 and 4L60E in it. Starts perfect every morning. No strange sounds and nothing but routine maintenance has ever been done. Posi clutches have gone out but thats because of my love of burning rubber smell.
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#6 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Franklinton NC
Posts: 1,309
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Re: Question about GM 5.3 Engine
The 5.3 and other ls motors are miles ahead of the older motors.We already have customers pushing 300k on some and have never done anything but a tune up.
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Smyrna, GA
Posts: 709
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Re: Question about GM 5.3 Engine
I drove a 2000 GMC Z71 EX CAB w/ the 5.3L for 2.5 yrs and never had an engine problem...it was very reliable and strong. Now keeping the check engine light off was another issue, that truck had electrical issues! Never left me stranded and I took exceptional care of the vehicle, but it had some bugs.
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Rottenwood Garage 1970...71...72 C1500 aka Orange aka Sideshow Bob 540 BB Straub Roller Cam, AFR Magnums, XP 950, TKO 600 2 Tons of Fun |
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