LS……4.8 or 5.3????

Dropped88 · Feb 25, 2022

4.8 is flat top 5.3 is dished and they have same bore.
The crank, rods, pistons is whats difference and the 5.3 HO engines are 5.3s with 4.8 flat tops also aluminum block

And the piston difference is 3rd gen only. 4th gen 5.3s got flat top from factory

clgodwin79 · Feb 25, 2022

Schurkey said:
Perhaps a moderator will move this to LSX + Carb Swaps.

Not to be a wet blanket, but if you're going to put money into an LS, shouldn't you start with at least a 6.0L?

If all you're doing is a dissection to see what makes 'em tick, a 4.8 or 5.3 would be fine.

I’m not planning on doing a swap. Or at least using this for one.

But I do plan on building it and putting it into something, just not sure what yet.

I’ve had mine in my Silverado with the top end and front cover and timing chain off to replace the cam when I did the AFM/DOD delete. I dropped the oil pan too at the same time just to see how clean it was and reseal it.

But I just want to build one myself.

And no, I disagree that the 6.0 is the only one worth building. But I guess that’s personal preference.

Actually, when people do boost builds they tend to prefer the 4.8. There’s more distance between the cylinders which helps keep down on the heat soak and saturation that the 5.3, and especially 6.0 can have.

But also, the average selling price for a 5.3 is much less than a 6.0. Like about a third.

And the 5.3 horsepower was around 300 from the factory. And with just a few mods, mostly cam though, you can easily get to a streetable 400 for super cheap.

Anyway, I just figured that maybe I’m not the only one who wanted to get on the LS build bandwagon and I thought I would share. And I didn’t feel like I needed a 6.0, but I also wanted what I payed for, which was a 5.3

Silverado1994 · Feb 25, 2022

I'm not much of a fan of the 4.8 or the 5.3 but I can certainly respect everything that you want to do to one of these because it's your build. Regardless if it were a dang four banger engine I like to see folks get fired up at possibilities/ visions and then make those come to life. Will be watching this.

theunderlord · Feb 26, 2022

lol. 4.8's are capable of four digit HP numbers. 75mm turbo, the right cam, stock heads, upgraded valve springs, forged rods and pistons, the right fuel and you've got a mean street machine. You know how your dad tells you "there's no replacement for displacement?" there is. it's called a turbo.

Literally everyone on this forum should get on the LS bandwagon if you want to make cheap, easy, and reliable power. Dinking around with upgrading the boat anchors that came with these trucks is a gigantic waste of time when you consider what you can do with the LS platform. There's a reason GM upgraded to LS in GMT-800 and has never looked back, only forward to LT.

Frank Enstein · Feb 26, 2022

I want a 4.8 with a hairdryer for both of my duallys.

clgodwin79 · Feb 26, 2022

theunderlord said:
lol. 4.8's are capable of four digit HP numbers. 75mm turbo, the right cam, stock heads, upgraded valve springs, forged rods and pistons, the right fuel and you've got a mean street machine. You know how your dad tells you "there's no replacement for displacement?" there is. it's called a turbo.

Literally everyone on this forum should get on the LS bandwagon if you want to make cheap, easy, and reliable power. Dinking around with upgrading the boat anchors that came with these trucks is a gigantic waste of time when you consider what you can do with the LS platform. There's a reason GM upgraded to LS in GMT-800 and has never looked back, only forward to LT.

I agree with a lot of what you said. But here it comes…. Lol

A lot of people are going to chime in and tell you how awesome the SBC was and how wrong you are.

Silverado1994 · Feb 26, 2022

theunderlord said:
lol. 4.8's are capable of four digit HP numbers. 75mm turbo, the right cam, stock heads, upgraded valve springs, forged rods and pistons, the right fuel and you've got a mean street machine. You know how your dad tells you "there's no replacement for displacement?" there is. it's called a turbo.

Literally everyone on this forum should get on the LS bandwagon if you want to make cheap, easy, and reliable power. Dinking around with upgrading the boat anchors that came with these trucks is a gigantic waste of time when you consider what you can do with the LS platform. There's a reason GM upgraded to LS in GMT-800 and has never looked back, only forward to LT.

There's a couple of different angles that this can be looked at. I can certainly respect where you're coming from in regards to the Gen III platform. In a repair sense, mostly gone are the engine oil leaks from intake manifolds and oil pans and coolant leaks from intakes and water pumps. The Gen III design didn't totally get rid of the leakage issues but it certainly minimized them. Doors in performance realm were opened up and these engines have a higher revving potential via a stronger construction. Personally though, I have a love for the ol' SBC as there's a deserved respect for an engine that lasted 45 years. I won't tell you that you're wrong necessarily but modding Gen I and II engines is anything but a waste of time IMO. A well built SBC is still more than a match for alot of the Gen III equipped rides out there.

Additionally, the "no replacement for displacement" rule still applies in my book. In my world anything that can be done with smaller displacement engines can only be made better by doing the same exact things to a larger displacement engine.

With all that being said, being a guy who loves hot rodding, I still enjoy a good engine build no matter what size the powerplant is. To your point about the smaller engines I will say that it's always fun to see a fella who's taken the time with a smaller displacement engine kick the tail of the competition that may have not put the same time and money into their larger cubed engine.

Just my

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Silverado1994 · Feb 26, 2022

clgodwin79 said:
I agree with a lot of what you said. But here it comes…. Lol

A lot of people are going to chime in and tell you how awesome the SBC was and how wrong you are.

You must be registered for see images attach

clgodwin79 · Feb 26, 2022

Silverado1994 said:
There's a couple of different angles that this can be looked at. I can certainly respect where you're coming from in regards to the Gen III platform. In a repair sense, mostly gone are the engine oil leaks from intake manifolds and oil pans and coolant leaks from intakes and water pumps. The Gen III design didn't totally get rid of the leakage issues but it certainly minimized them. Doors in performance realm were opened up and these engines have a higher revving potential via a stronger construction. Personally though, I have a love for the ol' SBC as there's a deserved respect for an engine that lasted 45 years. I won't tell you that you're wrong necessarily but modding Gen I and II engines is anything but a waste of time IMO. A well built SBC is still more than a match for alot of the Gen III equipped rides out there.

Additionally, the "no replacement for displacement" rule still applies in my book. In my world anything that can be done with smaller displacement engines can only be made better by doing the same exact things to a larger displacement engine.

With all that being said, being a guy who loves hot rodding, I still enjoy a good engine build no matter what size the powerplant is. To your point about the smaller engines I will say that it's always fun to see a fella who's taken the time with a smaller displacement engine kick the tail of the competition that may have not put the same time and money into their larger cubed engine.

Just my
You must be registered for see images attach

I agree with most of that. And a SBC does still deserve respect no doubt. I’m building one now. But breaking the bank to do so in the way that I want it built. My biggest issue is that I would like to make affordable fuel injected high horse power. Which plain and simple does not exist on a SBC. Decent fuel injection is stupid expensive and it comes already there in a LS platform.

Also, sure, no replacement for displacement is a thing with the exception of power adders. And that’s another great thing about an LS, 6 bolt mains on every one ever made!!! Crazy!! That’s a huge contributor to being able to just slap on a power adder.

But I also agree that some of the most impressive builds I’ve seen is a 4.8 LS with boost and watch it hurt the feelings of the NA high compression 6.0 guys.

Anyway, while not everything is my personal cup of tea, I respect engines and builds for what they are. And for some reason, the ability to spend time, effort, and research to build exactly what you want and are looking for is just the most fun thing to me. I like thinking outside of the box too and doing things that would make purists roll over in their graves. Like putting a bad@ss American built LS into something like a BMW and making it better and more reliable than any German engine ever was!

clgodwin79 · Feb 26, 2022

I really really need to find a decent engine stand today to I can get the top end off of this engine.

It’s gonna be a LOT harder to get it mounted to an engine stand if I pull the exhaust manifolds and the heads off before hand.

Apparently COVID made Harbor Freight sell out of them!! Lol

LS……4.8 or 5.3????

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