Hold out for a 5.3?

[67pete300]

I've been surfing craigslist for a good 2wd 5.3/4L60 donor vehicle for my 65 C10. They seem rarer than hen's teeth (certainly in the price range I'm looking at--don't want to pay more than $2500 which is what I'd probably pay for the setup from ebay).

The 2wd trucks seem to mostly have the 4.8. I'd prefer the 5.3 (or 6.0 obviously but trying to keep costs down). I have a bead on a good option (just over 150k miles) with a 4.8 for a good price.

Should I hold out for a 5.3 or jump on the good condition 4.8 that is a decent deal? Will I feel the difference in my street driven and otherwise stock C10?

[mongocanfly]

I personally wouldn't want a 4.8 but theres nothing wrong with them that I know of...I know of several 4.8s making 400+hp....5.3s are out there....6.0s are getting expensive...ive been waiting on a low mileage 5.3 to pop up but havnt had much luck...

[Advanced Design]

A friend and I were just discussing this same issue a couple days ago. Good ones are hard to find as almost everyone has figured out the LS is a good swap.

In 2008 I paid $500 for a 100,000 mile 5.3 from the salvage yard. In 2014 I picked up a 5.3 truck complete as a soft roll total for $900. Now we are having more of a challenge finding....and expect to pay more....for the same.

A 4.8 can really produce power. Check his article from Hot Rod magazine http://www.hotrod.com/articles/hrdp-...g-bang-theory/

[Steve Cole]

Here is a smoking deal if he still has it-

4.8L LS engine 55,000 miles, has new crane cam installed, new gaskets on water pump, front engine cover, new intake gaskets. Comes with power steering pump, alternator, intake with injectors, new serpentine belt, coil packs, water pump, truck oil pan, brand new spark plugs and fresh oil. No throttle body or harness. The engine has been painted with silver ceramic paint including valve covers and front accessories. With the Crane cam it should produce between 325 and 340 hp. Cam can be removed and factory cam reinstalled. Engine can be used as a direct replacement, LS swap, or turbo build. $1000.

Contact member ztk123 to see if he still has it.

[Clyde65]

Don’t discount the 4.8, mine had 7k miles on it when no one wanted them. With a tune and Cai, headers it probably has around 325ish horse.
I’m very happy with the performance and economy!

[67pete300]

Thanks for the feedback. A major driver to buying an entire vehicle is to make sure I get all the bits and don’t have to chase accessories or harnesses. The cam swap is enticing but still pricey at $500 for just a cam. Good to hear CAI and headers make a noticeable difference.

I’ll probably go for it if I can get it at the right price.

[mongocanfly]

well you don't have to have a complete donor truck to do a swap....if you don't mind a drive check out chris at lightnin rods speed shop...he's always got some complete low mileage engines....he'll have everything you need for a swap.....ive bought from him before...great guy..https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/p...560772268.html

[mongocanfly]

http://www.lightninrods.com/

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

well you don't have to have a complete donor truck to do a swap....if you don't mind a drive check out chris at lightnin rods speed shop...he's always got some complete low mileage engines....he'll have everything you need for a swap.....ive bought from him before...great guy..https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/p...560772268.html

That looks better than a candy store.....

[67pete300]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

well you don't have to have a complete donor truck to do a swap....if you don't mind a drive check out chris at lightnin rods speed shop...he's always got some complete low mileage engines....he'll have everything you need for a swap.....ive bought from him before...great guy..https://chattanooga.craigslist.org/p...560772268.html

That’s an 8 hour drive each way....

[jjzepplin]

1200hp from a 4.8? Dang!

[67pete300]

Well I didn't.

2006 4.8/4L60 with 167k miles. Truck is super clean save the trashed driver's side body.

[mongocanfly]

cool!!....looks like lots of sellable parts......

[faribran]

Unless you are planning on pulling heavy trailers, you will be happy with the 4.8. Do a filter/fluid change on the 4l60e.

[faribran]

The detritus in the pan is a good indicator of condition of tranny

[jjzepplin]

Where do you guys find these deals

[mongocanfly]

the deals are out there but getting harder to find..
there was a whole 2002 truck with 109000m with bad trans on craigslist here local...I look every day, putting in 5.3, 6.0,and ls....never saw it...it was on there for 9 days and I missed it..by 20 min..he had it listed as 5.3L...a coworker asked me if I saw it is how I found it and I called immediately..he told me they loaded it on a trailer 20min ago...and he came down to 800...arghhhh....

[ontdave]

I have bought three trucks now here in the salt belt of southern Ontario.
You can still buy them here for about $500 complete and running but rusted so bad they aren't driveable anymore.

[Advanced Design]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

the deals are out there but getting harder to find..
there was a whole 2002 truck with 109000m with bad trans on craigslist here local...I look every day, putting in 5.3, 6.0,and ls....never saw it...it was on there for 9 days and I missed it..by 20 min..he had it listed as 5.3L...a coworker asked me if I saw it is how I found it and I called immediately..he told me they loaded it on a trailer 20min ago...and he came down to 800...arghhhh....

Argh...I had one last week that I missed out on too and I found it very shortly after posting.

There is a newer ap for craigslist called Cplus for Craigslist. It does really well searching your specified cities for what you are looking for. It also has the ability to alert you when what you are searching for is listed, though I’ve struggled with making that work.

Try “wrecked Silverado” in the alerts. Then be sitting in your truck with trailer hooked up, cash in hand and engine idling for when the alert pops up. It seems you have to be that quick anymore.

[mongocanfly]

thanks for the heads up on c-plus Doug ...I just tried it and it says this doesn't work on your device....story of my life