Only 22k on motor but want to plan ahead for next

cledford3 · August 11, 2005

I bought my 1500 LX extended cab 5.3 in August of 2004. I put a lot of miles on my vehicle and already have 22k on it in one year. At that rate I well may wear the motor out in 6-7 years. (Hard to grasp having owned a Toyota corolla for 11 years which is still going strong with 190k on it - but I digress…)

Anyhow, I'd like to plan ahead regarding a motor swap at the appropriate time. I am interested in:

- Information regarding, anyone who would do a straight up 5.3 for 5.3 swap. (Stuff like where do I buy the new motor…)

- Anyone who works with customers to drop in a "bolt-up", performance tuned version (I.e. someone who specializes in the Chevy truck motors and sells “tuned” versions of the stock GM motor)

- Anyone who would have the supplies to build my own engine (I might like to give it a try - 6 years is a long enough time to figure it out...) Any links to anyone who’s built their own for the GM truck would be a BIG help.

- The possibility of any of the above with a slightly larger motor (say 6.0) assuming that the new motor would drop in and have no bolt up issues. (I don’t mind the thought of an engine swap – but don’t want to get into changing too much just to get something to work)

Thanks for any help and/or links.

-Calvin

mcreyaufmiller · August 11, 2005

Calvin,

I can see from your post that you are new to the board and Chevy trucks. The best thing I can tell you is to use Mobil 1 oil or equivlent, and keep up on your maint. I have a 98 with over 150k on the clock and it does not burn oil, nor does it have any loss of power. I have done a lot of performance upgrades and I beat the snot out of the truck on a regular basis. As long as you take care of the vehicle, you will have no problems. Give it a fighting chance, you will find guys on here that have over 200k on the clock and do not have any problems. If you want to do performance upgrades, than this is the place to get ideas!

2004GMC1500CC · August 11, 2005

I bought my 1500 LX extended cab 5.3 in August of 2004. I put a lot of miles on my vehicle and already have 22k on it in one year. At that rate I well may wear the motor out in 6-7 years. (Hard to grasp having owned a Toyota corolla for 11 years which is still going strong with 190k on it - but I digress…)

Anyhow, I'd like to plan ahead regarding a motor swap at the appropriate time. I am interested in:

- Information regarding, anyone who would do a straight up 5.3 for 5.3 swap. (Stuff like where do I buy the new motor…)

- Anyone who works with customers to drop in a "bolt-up", performance tuned version (I.e. someone who specializes in the Chevy truck motors and sells “tuned” versions of the stock GM motor)

- Anyone who would have the supplies to build my own engine (I might like to give it a try - 6 years is a long enough time to figure it out...) Any links to anyone who’s built their own for the GM truck would be a BIG help.

- The possibility of any of the above with a slightly larger motor (say 6.0) assuming that the new motor would drop in and have no bolt up issues. (I don’t mind the thought of an engine swap – but don’t want to get into changing too much just to get something to work)

Thanks for any help and/or links.

-Calvin

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Got 250,000 on my 91 with no problems (other than normal stuff), figure my 04 will be just as good. And you sure didn't drive your toy for 22kx11. If you do need work done on your truck in the future, parts are much cheaper for the truck versus your toy, and most all mechanics can work on it. You've got lots of years and miles before you have any worries.

asilverblazer · August 11, 2005

I too feel the trucks will last quite awhile, but also plan ahead. On one hand I wish my truck was an old body style, lots of crate engines to choose from. I wonder if GM Performace division will develope a Gen.III series of crate engines. I say that but isn't it possible to buy an engine assembly? Another possibility would be a boneyard engine tear it down and rebuild it... That is a good way to get to know your way around the engine, build it.

cledford3 · August 12, 2005

Does anyone know a place that sells new engines that specializes in GM pickups?

Thanks,

-Calvin

FSTDL · August 12, 2005

That should be the ;ast thing on your mind.My brother's father in law had a 85 chev with a 305 and it went over 350,000 until the timming chain broke.

Use mobil 1 and take care of it and it will last a long time.

My 93 suburban had 130,000 and ran like new.

Dont worry about it.