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Can You Put A 2003+ 5.3l Engine In A 2000?

mjhelpin

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mjhelpin New Member

mjhelpin

Posted
Posted

Hey guys, I've just picked up a 2000 Silverado 4WD Z71 (with 5.3L V8) with almost 160,000 miles for a song. Mechanically it needs a little TLC, some of which I'm going to be doing this winter. Mainly suspension work based on what I can tell so far. I'm also trying to track the source of oil on the rear output shaft of the transfer case (oil seal, I presume?). But that's not why I'm posting at the moment...

 

This thing sounds like a diesel on cold start, which I know thanks to this forum is the dreaded piston slap. But there appears to be a more subtle knocking sound (not detonation knock) during steady throttle once warm. I just noticed it today, but I might be hearing things. The truck also needs new tires (thanks to the worn suspension), and it's hard to hear much over their humming on the road at speed. But it got me thinking about my engine replacement options.

 

I see used LM7 5.3L engines on ebay that have been pulled from wrecks -- and I know I could search local salvage yards as well -- but most of the lower-mileage examples are for 2003 and up. My 2000 has a mechanical throttle cable, while the 2003 and up have throttle-by-wire. That's the only obvious difference I'm aware of, but I'm sure I'm missing something.

 

So is it possible to drop a 2003+ 5.3L in my 2000 engine bay and be pretty much plug-and-play? Besides the throttle cable hookup, what else is different in the 2003+ engines that I would need to worry about?

 

Thanks,

Mike

Yorktown, Virginia

alwcurlz Enthusiast

alwcurlz

Posted
Posted
Hey guys, I've just picked up a 2000 Silverado 4WD Z71 (with 5.3L V8) with almost 160,000 miles for a song. Mechanically it needs a little TLC, some of which I'm going to be doing this winter. Mainly suspension work based on what I can tell so far. I'm also trying to track the source of oil on the rear output shaft of the transfer case (oil seal, I presume?). But that's not why I'm posting at the moment...

 

This thing sounds like a diesel on cold start, which I know thanks to this forum is the dreaded piston slap. But there appears to be a more subtle knocking sound (not detonation knock) during steady throttle once warm. I just noticed it today, but I might be hearing things. The truck also needs new tires (thanks to the worn suspension), and it's hard to hear much over their humming on the road at speed. But it got me thinking about my engine replacement options.

 

I see used LM7 5.3L engines on ebay that have been pulled from wrecks -- and I know I could search local salvage yards as well -- but most of the lower-mileage examples are for 2003 and up. My 2000 has a mechanical throttle cable, while the 2003 and up have throttle-by-wire. That's the only obvious difference I'm aware of, but I'm sure I'm missing something.

 

So is it possible to drop a 2003+ 5.3L in my 2000 engine bay and be pretty much plug-and-play? Besides the throttle cable hookup, what else is different in the 2003+ engines that I would need to worry about?

 

Thanks,

Mike

Yorktown, Virginia

 

The engine knock seems fairly common. I started hearing it on my 99 Z71 when starting it up and taking off right away. If I let it run for a minute or two it goes away. If I do drive it right away, the knocking goes away after about a block. It's only on the first start of the day. There was a guy from work who's immaculate 2000 Z71 Silverado did the same thing. There is a lady at work who has a year old Ford Expedition and it does that when first starting up too for the first 5-10 seconds. I've read truck ads before where they would mention: "has typical cold startup knock". Personally, I think it shouldn't happen at all. Wish this thing had a good ole' 5.7 TBI.

 

As for the engines, I don't think there would be much difference between the electronic throttle and cable driven. Long as you swap your intake system over it should work, unless any gearheads can give more experienced opinions?

kdm101 Enthusiast

kdm101

Posted
Posted

The engine will swap over without any difficulty. The significant differences are the throttle body (you'll have to re-use your original or get a replacement) and the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) gear (if so equipped). The '03 and later do not have EGR. You'll probably have to pull parts from your original engine anyway since most salvage engines don't come with all accessories still attached. Engine covers are strictly cosmetic, so don't worry about the difference in the shapes there.

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