Engine compatibility

[Retiredmastertech]

I own a 2002 1500 Silverado ext. cab 4x4 with a 5.3l LN7. I've been driving it since 2004. I bought it used with 30k miles from a Chevy dealer. It now has 250k miles and I'm starting to think about repowering. I've had piston slap since I've had it. At some point ( maybe 60k ??)a dealer replaced the lifters and had the valves ground/heads worked to try to stop the loud knocking on cold start up. It's used oil ever since. I complained about the noise continually with no results. The noise hasn't been detrimental to the engine, but me and the neighborhood don't like the noise when I start it up and leave at 4:30 am.

Now my question. I read a GM  TSB at some point that talked about replacing the piston/ rods with a floating wrist pin setup and the matching crank for a 2005 engine. As I remember, the block would require a bit of massage work to make the crank fit. It was supposed to address the piston slap noise. What I am wondering is, can I buy a low miles used 2005 LM7 engine and bolt it in?? I realize some of the bolt on accessories may have to be swapped, but I would like to have the floating piston set up that I understand came in the 2005 engines. Other than the difference in pistons,rods and crank, are the long blocks of the 2002 LN7s the same as the 2005 LN7s ??? Can I replace my 2002 5.3L LN7 with a 2005 5.3L LN7 engine ??? Any one done this???

 

[Supreme Pizza]

You don't like the piston slap noise when its cold?

 

This would be an alternative to rebuilding your entire engine: 

 

I tried it, and it worked perfectly to make the noise go away.

 

It cost $32. 

 

 

 

[Retiredmastertech]

I haven't heard of anyone that likes to here the piston slap. I was just wondering about putting the 05 long block with the floating connecting rods.

[BLACK DEATH]

Direct swap, you should have no problems. 

All gas 5.3 from 99-07 obs with a 24x should swap right in. 

Then you can sell your original long block to recoupe some money, especially since it still works.