What OEM engine should I look for?

[Number21]

2 hours ago, Sharpz said:

what I cant understand here is you have all this money to pay someone else to do the work as well as a new motor etc, but you falter at the price of labor for a head gasket install?  Do what makes you happy, if I had the money you seem to want to waste I would consult a professional shop and let them sell me on an engine.  I wouldnt come to a free online forum with a bunch of randoms asking their opinion on what they would do.  If you put in a high output motor, NO MATTER WHO OR WHAT IT IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! you will need to upgrade your tranny too! So if you are willing to do all of this........... why are you here asking? Shouldnt  you be speaking to the race shop or pro shop who will be doing the work?

This is SUCH an ignorant reply for so many reasons! First, we're talking about roughly $2000 in engine and $2000 in labor. That is not big money. Not even close. Secondly, you completely ignore the fact that the reason I am not doing this myself is because I am disabled, so **** you. The cost spent on replacing the head gasket in the truck is essentially wasted, thrown away, never recovered...because it never should have happened, and it causes no improvements. Additionally, it is very possible they could take the head off and find a much bigger problem than just a gasket. I could spend slightly more and get far, far better results and upgraded parts. The cost of the engine does not count, I would have bought one anyway, we're only talking about the cost of labor. What can I say, I'm not poor and I make no apologies for that.

 

Just because I asked a question on an internet forum does not mean I'm taking anybody's answer to the bank. And no, there is not a chance in hell I will let a shop "sell" me anything. We're talking about a cheap junkyard LS not a Ferrari. No, I would not ever be caught dead in a "race shop", nor would I even know where to find such a thing.

 

Let's be honest - it's relatively easy and cheap to install a gen ANYTHING LS into a Ford Mustang. If they can make it work I'm sure it's far easier to do the same in a Silverado.

[Number21]

12 hours ago, shakenfake said:

Well I think you want to have a running/non-blown head gasket truck. I get it you want to have big HP, don't need a Gen IV to do that. Need to figure out what you want to do first and how you want to approach it. 

 

It isn't impossible but you may as well just buy a Gen III. There are literally no advantages of doing a Gen IV 5.3 swap. Now if you were talking a Gen IV 6.2 I would have a different opinion but it just isn't worth it just to do a 5.3. Especially when the Gen IV 5.3s are more costly than the Gen IIIs.

The big thing here is what price I can get an engine for, and of course we all know ebay varies. I might find a good L33 for cheap and take it. But there are far more low mileage newer engines available, often for the same price or less. Or maybe I'll get lucky locally. It will cost more to install, that's just something I have to balance. Cam and AFM delete would definitely cost more, but I want a new cam in any engine, I'd probably have that done to the LM7 if I replaced the head gasket too.

 

I want the truck to run, but I'm not in a massive hurry, it is not my only vehicle, and actually the "K-Seal" head gasket sealer I used has basically stopped the leak in the last 300 miles, but who knows how long that will last.

Edited December 18, 2021 by Number21

[Number21]

10 hours ago, newdude said:

Get a 6.0 LQ4 or LQ9 and build the trans up.  6.0 would give you opportunity to swap some great heads on it like some of the factory Gen VI heads from L92/L96 as well.  

 

07+newer they made plenty of electrical changes and would require a good bit of work to swap in.  

I have thought about the 6.0, although for some reason I just like the 5.3L. A little forced air and it might as well be a big block. Don't really have a good reason, it might happen.

 

I'd actually really love a stroked 5.3L, I like an undersquare bore, but probably never gonna happen. Really wish they had an OEM 3.780 bore with a longer stroke!

Edited December 18, 2021 by Number21

[Number21]

4 hours ago, Supreme Pizza said:

Many shops will charge you $2500 to $3500 to replace the head gasket(s), but if you shop around, you can find someone to do it MUCH cheaper. Check online for mobile mechanics. Craigslist for instance.

This is part of the issue. It annoys me that it is relatively simple but also relatively expensive. I absolutely cannot use a craigslist mechanic, too many scammers and unqualified people. I literally had to sue a shop that worked on my old truck for several thousand dollars after they broke it more. I do have a local shop that I trust, but, they charge pretty standard rates. (They do however warranty their work and have an amazing reputation)

[Sharpz]

Ignorant I might be. I just think you are one of those people who like to see themselves talk via text.  Whatever makes you happy though. All of the information you asked can be found on the internet multiple times over, you didnt need to ask it if you were just curious in the knowledge.  What you wanted was debate, and as I said see yourself talk.   

[shakenfake]

Basically above lol

 

Just replace the head gasket and move on. You are over complicating your life.

[Number21]

What is then, the point of a discussion board? What could a person possibly ask about a Silverado that hasn't already been covered in some way before on the internet? Why are you here then?

 

Jesus ****ing christ. I never asked if anybody thinks I should keep the LM7 and I don't care if that's your opinion...and you're free to use whatever kind of engine you like for any reason or no reason. That's what's great about Chevy, it's like Legos.

Edited December 18, 2021 by Number21

[shakenfake]

Cause you sound like you either A) Don't know what you are talking about or B) Don't have any direction with this truck

 

Just trying to save you cash and time my man. I already gave my answer. LM7 or L33, Gen IV is a waste of time. I'll even add on and say just get a 6.0 LQ4 or LQ9. We are giving you our answers and each time you are telling us no you won't/don't/can't do it because of XYZ.

 

That's all I have to say about that.

[KARNUT]

So it’s time for my annual oil change inspection dance. For the second time with the truck I go to my local Chevy dealer. This time my headlight bulb needs replacing. Not more than a few minutes pass informing me they have no bulb. It will be in the next day for 300$ dollars install. Of course I done some checking my answers is are you sure on the price? Yes they say, I said wrong answer see ya. Across town to my GMC dealer I go. 35$ they say, sold I say. After a few minutes they come back and say we need to show you something. My truck has been using a little water and the oil as it turns out is milky. Living on a hill I’d always check my oil when getting gas. I guess that’s why I missed it. So my first fix will be stop leak like I said here, we’ll see

Edited December 20, 2021 by KARNUT

[Black02Silverado]

I'm not up 100% on them but could he have the CASTEC heads? Not a bad gasket but the cracked heads?  They it would be an easy upgrade to new heads and go from there.

[KARNUT]

In my case I’m going to go about 3 months do a flush and another oil change see if the stop leak works. I only put a about 5K miles a year on it. I thought it was a little weird that he put so much money in it then traded it. The last thing was a water pump. It probably over heated. It’s a cream puff so a new engine will go in if needed. It does run well though. 

[shakenfake]

4 hours ago, Black02Silverado said:

I'm not up 100% on them but could he have the CASTEC heads? Not a bad gasket but the cracked heads?  They it would be an easy upgrade to new heads and go from there.

No it was too early for castech heads

[txab]

Everybody take a step back from the keyboard and calm down. This is a discussion board. So don't get bent out of shape when someone doesn't go the direction you think is correct. CTFD

[Bryan Scanlan]

I would get a Gen III motor. If you are going to turbo this motor stay away from the aluminum blocks. They would probably handle it fine, depending on your boost, but cast blocks are much stronger. Gen III engines don't have DOD or VVT to worry about either. Lots out there, especially 5.3s, foe reasonable prices. Shop around for deals! 

[Magnus604]

On 12/18/2021 at 1:26 AM, Number21 said:

What is then, the point of a discussion board? What could a person possibly ask about a Silverado that hasn't already been covered in some way before on the internet? Why are you here then?

 

Jesus ****ing christ. I never asked if anybody thinks I should keep the LM7 and I don't care if that's your opinion...and you're free to use whatever kind of engine you like for any reason or no reason. That's what's great about Chevy, it's like Legos.

You’ve had some great reply’s on this. The Lm7 is a great engine, if you have the money to spend on it (lo and behold, 4K plus IS a lot of money to most), just beef up all your internals, these engines can take 1000hp+. Problem with going high horsepower, it makes the truck basically undriveable anywhere other than the track. If you want a high horsepower daily driver, you’ll want to max out around 450hp. This requires a LOT of add ons (ie cam shaft, lifters, springs, basically full internals, not to mention upgraded transmission, torque converter, high flow cats, exhaust, headers, cold air intake, fuel injectors, basically everything). If you don’t upgrade the whole drivetrain your truck will just rip everything apart from the extra power. ONLY two engines that will be direct swaps without dumping many many thousands into everything, are the LM7 (iron block 5.3 with 295hp at its best stock) or the L33 all aluminum high output (325 hp). Even swapping the Lq4 or Lq9(lq9 is better) 6 litre into your truck will need upgraded trans, as the 4l60e that was usually paired with 5.3’s can’t take the extra torque from those. IF you’re wanting to build a badass daily driver, boy oh boy you’re gonna be dropping some dollars bro! 4K will NOT cut it. A supercharger alone is MINIMUM 5-6k, and upwards of 10. The labour to have everything installed will probably be 5-10k (remember, literally everything around the engine lol). If you don’t want to have to spend 10-20k rebuilding a high hp daily, just do the gaskets, maybe drop a stage 1 truck cam, valve springs and a cold air intake for some easy hp gains that won’t go too expensive