Longevity Of A 5.3 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jimbo0076 · 07-29-2010, 11:19 PM

If yall don't mind I want to slide in here and ask a rather newb question but bear with me please. Roughly how long will a good ole 5.3 run without major problems in just a daily driver Tahoe? I'm looking at one for my wife and personally had several 88-98 n 73-87 trucks but never a 99-up GM at all so stepping onto completely new ground for myself. I know the LS swap is extremely common and know all about that. Looking at a 01 Tahoe with 166k on the clock. Belongs to a friend and know its been taken care of but just wondering what usually goes wrong with these motors if anything and things to look at for when they get around these miles on it. Any other help info about the NBS to look out for or to avoid would be greatly appreciated. This will be for the boss lady....I get something I have to work on all the time or have problems I didn't know of then my a$$ will be grass and her the lawnmower

**truckdude239** · 07-30-2010, 07:15 AM

if they have been taken care of i've seen them with 400k on them just a matter of matinace

clinebarger · 07-30-2010, 09:45 AM

Ask if the transmission has been rebuilt. 166K whouldnt scare me on the engine.

pseudopimp · 07-30-2010, 04:46 PM

my 01 tahoe only has 88k on it. i hope it lasts 4 times longer. still seems strong.

Jimbo0076 · 07-30-2010, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clinebarger

Ask if the transmission has been rebuilt. 166K whouldnt scare me on the engine.

If the transmission hasn't been rebuilt(which it hasn't)should I be worried about it going out in the near future? Me<--definitely not a auto trans man

Gimme a manual trans and I can work on them half decent..autos blow my mind

Thanks for the info guys

clinebarger · 07-30-2010, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbo0076

If the transmission hasn't been rebuilt(which it hasn't)should I be worried about it going out in the near future? Me<--definitely not a auto trans man

Gimme a manual trans and I can work on them half decent..autos blow my mind

Thanks for the info guys

After 200K your on borrowed time with a 4L60E. Based on my experience 150K is the average life span. Not to scare you....but for a bargaining chip.

Jimbo0076 · 07-30-2010, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clinebarger

After 200K your on borrowed time with a 4L60E. Based on my experience 150K is the average life span. Not to scare you....but for a bargaining chip.

Thanks for all the info hoss! Sorry to keep asking the newb-ish questions BUT

if the ole 4L60E decided to spit its guts would there be any 100% certain upgrades to make on em...or a rebuild kit that had certain stronger internals to keep at when pricing getting a rebuilt one. Reason for asking is because in my area I haven't found a transmission guy I'd trust to work on my bicycle let alone my truck or give me advise on my other projects though the years

clinebarger · 07-30-2010, 11:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimbo0076

Thanks for all the info hoss! Sorry to keep asking the newb-ish questions BUT

if the ole 4L60E decided to spit its guts would there be any 100% certain upgrades to make on em...or a rebuild kit that had certain stronger internals to keep at when pricing getting a rebuilt one. Reason for asking is because in my area I haven't found a transmission guy I'd trust to work on my bicycle let alone my truck or give me advise on my other projects though the years

The best upgrade is a good rebuild by someone that takes pride in his work, not so much about buying upgraded parts. As far as upgrades on a stock truck....Hardened sunshell, 9 3-4 clutches, hardened separater plate, replace any plastic servo/accumulator pistons with cast aluminum ones, Transgo shift kit.

usmcchevy · 07-31-2010, 01:33 AM

I'll agree with the 5.3 lasting a long time (3-400K) and anything over 150K on the 4L60E being borrowed time.

Black 95 TSI · 07-31-2010, 10:33 PM

I put a trans in my truck at 150k, and have done alot of other trans at about 130-150 in the trucks. Motor wise Mine had 170k when I traded it in, olny thing I ever had to do was the waterpump at about 120k. My co-worker's brother has a 99 5.3 with over 200 and never has done any thing to the the truck but regulaer maintince.

Plus I am rather hard on my trucks. I tow my boat just about every weekend and do tow a car trailer alot.

68GMCCustom · 07-31-2010, 11:03 PM

my dad's 2000 5.3 had nearly 250k on it when he sold it. He said it ran better then when it was new, and it still didn't use oil between changes.

**ybnaford** · 08-13-2010, 02:06 PM

In 01 I rolled off the lot with a new Silverado ExtCab, SWB, 2WD and 5.3 Vortec. 4 years later I turned the company truck back in with around 365,000 miles on it. During that time I carried about 500-750 lbs of equipment and parts for my job. I never had any major issues with engine or tranny. Was routinely serviced at 4-5k miles. I ran synthetic fluids all the way around. More cost up front, but in the long haul paid off. To give you an Idea of wear and tear: replaced factory General tires at 73k, put on Dunlop tires and got 105k (tires after that were about the same wear), first brake job was at around 135k, Rotors replaced at 225k, rear U-Joint replaced at 265k along with altenator, fuel pump was not long after that around 280k. I cut this truck no slack running up and down the roads in VA, WV, KY, OH and MD. I even towed a couple of trailers of equipment and 2 small cargo vans on auto trailers.(Both from WV to NC). One day in Marlinton, WV I ran across some GM engineers doing a rode test on the new small blazer style suvs, 12 in all. I mentioned to one of the engineers about the increased mileage with no wear and tear I was achieving with this truck. He told me that they had received some 5.3 engines in about a month prior that had 500k plus on them. They tore them down and alot of the rolling parts where still within tolerable specs. So, as stated before, if these engines and tranny's are maintained properly, you can get pretty good mileage on these vehicles.

spudz · 08-13-2010, 04:21 PM

to be honest.. The 4l60e lasts just as long or longer if you dont service it... Trust me.. it works.. as long as there are no leaks. I will never change the fluid in my 04 z71. And yes, I am and ASE master tech and work at a GM dealership.

Gray Ghost · 08-14-2010, 08:12 AM

My 4l60e has 139k on it and works perfectly....so I shouldn't change the fluid or the filter?

spudz · 08-14-2010, 07:48 PM

that sir is up to you.

07-29-2010, 11:19 PM	#1
Jimbo0076 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Northeast Alabama Posts: 62	Longevity Of A 5.3 If yall don't mind I want to slide in here and ask a rather newb question but bear with me please. Roughly how long will a good ole 5.3 run without major problems in just a daily driver Tahoe? I'm looking at one for my wife and personally had several 88-98 n 73-87 trucks but never a 99-up GM at all so stepping onto completely new ground for myself. I know the LS swap is extremely common and know all about that. Looking at a 01 Tahoe with 166k on the clock. Belongs to a friend and know its been taken care of but just wondering what usually goes wrong with these motors if anything and things to look at for when they get around these miles on it. Any other help info about the NBS to look out for or to avoid would be greatly appreciated. This will be for the boss lady....I get something I have to work on all the time or have problems I didn't know of then my a$$ will be grass and her the lawnmower

07-30-2010, 07:15 AM	#2
truckdude239 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Lewisville, Nc Posts: 10,238	Re: Longevity Of A 5.3 if they have been taken care of i've seen them with 400k on them just a matter of matinace __________________ David fuller Ase Certified Mechanic Click here to help support our board!! 1971 Chevy c-10 under going a 4.8l LSx swap Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=421305 2007 Honda Accord my daily 145kmiles 2002 Honda Accord 4 door With 330k(sisters car) 2005 toyota Avalon 228k( brothers car) 2002 Sububran 5.3 245k 2000 Tahoe 5.3l 378 General manager for Marco's Carwash & lube

07-30-2010, 09:45 AM	#3
clinebarger Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 6,370	Re: Longevity Of A 5.3 Ask if the transmission has been rebuilt. 166K whouldnt scare me on the engine.

07-30-2010, 04:46 PM	#4
pseudopimp Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: Las Cruces NM Posts: 85	Re: Longevity Of A 5.3 my 01 tahoe only has 88k on it. i hope it lasts 4 times longer. still seems strong. __________________ 84 Scottsdale LWB K10 Rooting against the cowboys is almost as fun as rooting for the GIANTS!

07-31-2010, 01:33 AM	#9
usmcchevy Has more rust than truck... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ivanhoe, MN Posts: 2,421	Re: Longevity Of A 5.3 I'll agree with the 5.3 lasting a long time (3-400K) and anything over 150K on the 4L60E being borrowed time. __________________ 1972 Custom/10 SWB, 4.8/4l80e Build thread LSx Swap FAQ index

07-31-2010, 10:33 PM	#10
Black 95 TSI Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Alexandria VA Posts: 77	Re: Longevity Of A 5.3 I put a trans in my truck at 150k, and have done alot of other trans at about 130-150 in the trucks. Motor wise Mine had 170k when I traded it in, olny thing I ever had to do was the waterpump at about 120k. My co-worker's brother has a 99 5.3 with over 200 and never has done any thing to the the truck but regulaer maintince. Plus I am rather hard on my trucks. I tow my boat just about every weekend and do tow a car trailer alot. __________________ 70 C10 SWB stepside forsale 00 Silverado Z71 Sold 95 Eagle Talon TSI turbo (Hellz ya its fast) 70 Chevelle 69 firebird 10 Silverado 4x4

07-31-2010, 11:03 PM	#11
68GMCCustom Truck and auto performance nut Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: McKinney,Texas Posts: 3,848	Re: Longevity Of A 5.3 my dad's 2000 5.3 had nearly 250k on it when he sold it. He said it ran better then when it was new, and it still didn't use oil between changes. __________________ Kurt - '68 GMC short step - NIB '09 LY6 6.0L crate motor w/mods, NIB '12 crate 4L85e w/billet 3k stall Circle D, 3.73 posi 12 bolt, DynaTech f-swap headers, 3/4 drop, handling mods, etc. - my toy '72 Chevy LWB C-10 Highlander - 350/350 ps/pb/tilt/ac - not original but close '06 Chevy TrailBlazerSS - LS2/4L70e - little black hot rod SUV - my DD '18 Kia Sorento - wife's econo-driver '95 Chevy S10 - reg cab shortbed, LS, 4.3, auto... my '68's powertrain and chassis build -links broken A surprise phase - carb to efi -links broken

08-13-2010, 02:06 PM	#12
ybnaford Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Elizabeth, Colorado Posts: 38	Re: Longevity Of A 5.3 In 01 I rolled off the lot with a new Silverado ExtCab, SWB, 2WD and 5.3 Vortec. 4 years later I turned the company truck back in with around 365,000 miles on it. During that time I carried about 500-750 lbs of equipment and parts for my job. I never had any major issues with engine or tranny. Was routinely serviced at 4-5k miles. I ran synthetic fluids all the way around. More cost up front, but in the long haul paid off. To give you an Idea of wear and tear: replaced factory General tires at 73k, put on Dunlop tires and got 105k (tires after that were about the same wear), first brake job was at around 135k, Rotors replaced at 225k, rear U-Joint replaced at 265k along with altenator, fuel pump was not long after that around 280k. I cut this truck no slack running up and down the roads in VA, WV, KY, OH and MD. I even towed a couple of trailers of equipment and 2 small cargo vans on auto trailers.(Both from WV to NC). One day in Marlinton, WV I ran across some GM engineers doing a rode test on the new small blazer style suvs, 12 in all. I mentioned to one of the engineers about the increased mileage with no wear and tear I was achieving with this truck. He told me that they had received some 5.3 engines in about a month prior that had 500k plus on them. They tore them down and alot of the rolling parts where still within tolerable specs. So, as stated before, if these engines and tranny's are maintained properly, you can get pretty good mileage on these vehicles.

08-13-2010, 04:21 PM	#13
spudz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Branchville SC Posts: 1,647	Re: Longevity Of A 5.3 to be honest.. The 4l60e lasts just as long or longer if you dont service it... Trust me.. it works.. as long as there are no leaks. I will never change the fluid in my 04 z71. And yes, I am and ASE master tech and work at a GM dealership. __________________ 2004 z71, 96 z71 on 38s, 88 Chevy k5 blazer, 4in lift. 84 swb project, 82 SWB project , 84 chevy 4x4 lwb project, 88 Jimmy beater/highschool ride. 79 c30. 99 tahoe 4x4 project. and a bunch of parts trucks..

08-14-2010, 08:12 AM	#14
Gray Ghost Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Terrell, TX Posts: 1,967	Re: Longevity Of A 5.3 My 4l60e has 139k on it and works perfectly....so I shouldn't change the fluid or the filter? __________________ Kelly '05 GMC Sierra SLE Z71 Bone stock except for new bed rail caps.

08-14-2010, 07:48 PM	#15
spudz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Branchville SC Posts: 1,647	Re: Longevity Of A 5.3 that sir is up to you. __________________ 2004 z71, 96 z71 on 38s, 88 Chevy k5 blazer, 4in lift. 84 swb project, 82 SWB project , 84 chevy 4x4 lwb project, 88 Jimmy beater/highschool ride. 79 c30. 99 tahoe 4x4 project. and a bunch of parts trucks..



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