First 5.3 swap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Tomo** · 03-01-2023, 04:12 PM

I plan on doing my first 5.3 swap in the near future. Price and miles seem to be fairly consistent on marketplace and junkyards. Is it worth paying $600-1000 for a lm7 with 150k miles or more? Or is there a better place to start?

**mongocanfly** · 03-01-2023, 04:36 PM

That's not a bad price..and about what they bring around here..
but be sure you get everything you need

Accelo · 03-01-2023, 05:31 PM

The LS series are built really well. I maybe would pull a valve cover it inspect the amount of slug and that's about it.
They have a lot going for them for a bunch of reasons.
The Air Fuel ratio is almost always perfect, avoids washing down the cylinders.
Rings are low tension rings.
Cams are roller and do not typically go flat. (DOD is and exception)
Oils are much better than they used to be.
I have one in my Silverado with 178K on it and it still doesn't use a quart, of oil, between changes.
Good advice, get it all. Down to the air cleaner. You will not regret it later.
Cheers.

LS short box · 03-01-2023, 05:48 PM

I bought a few salvage yard LS engines. Only got burned on one. It was a LS6 that was supposed to be 40K miles but after some disassembly it was more like 140K mile rode hard and put away wet. I kept the engine but the local salvage yard gave me a big discount. They didn't want a marginal engine back. I totally rebuilt it and it still runs strong in my 98 Wrangler.
I try to buy the low mileage engines. Check with whoever you buy from the warranty as it applies to installing the engine into a older vehicle. Most won't give you any warranty.
I've found car-part.com to be my go to web site to search for car parts. You can search locally or nation wide.
Just a tip when you get your 5.3. Pull the valve covers to see what the top of the heads look like. Also pull the pan for lower end inspection. Do it right away. Do a compression test.

03-01-2023, 04:12 PM	#1
Tomo Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Indiana Posts: 209	First 5.3 swap I plan on doing my first 5.3 swap in the near future. Price and miles seem to be fairly consistent on marketplace and junkyards. Is it worth paying $600-1000 for a lm7 with 150k miles or more? Or is there a better place to start?

03-01-2023, 04:36 PM	#2
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,585	Re: First 5.3 swap That's not a bad price..and about what they bring around here.. but be sure you get everything you need __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

03-01-2023, 05:31 PM	#3
Accelo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: washington Posts: 2,161	Re: First 5.3 swap The LS series are built really well. I maybe would pull a valve cover it inspect the amount of slug and that's about it. They have a lot going for them for a bunch of reasons. The Air Fuel ratio is almost always perfect, avoids washing down the cylinders. Rings are low tension rings. Cams are roller and do not typically go flat. (DOD is and exception) Oils are much better than they used to be. I have one in my Silverado with 178K on it and it still doesn't use a quart, of oil, between changes. Good advice, get it all. Down to the air cleaner. You will not regret it later. Cheers.

03-01-2023, 05:48 PM	#4
LS short box Registered User Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Carlos MN Posts: 1,923	Re: First 5.3 swap I bought a few salvage yard LS engines. Only got burned on one. It was a LS6 that was supposed to be 40K miles but after some disassembly it was more like 140K mile rode hard and put away wet. I kept the engine but the local salvage yard gave me a big discount. They didn't want a marginal engine back. I totally rebuilt it and it still runs strong in my 98 Wrangler. I try to buy the low mileage engines. Check with whoever you buy from the warranty as it applies to installing the engine into a older vehicle. Most won't give you any warranty. I've found car-part.com to be my go to web site to search for car parts. You can search locally or nation wide. Just a tip when you get your 5.3. Pull the valve covers to see what the top of the heads look like. Also pull the pan for lower end inspection. Do it right away. Do a compression test.



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