Got my 5.3! Just sharing…

[TCBRacer77]

So I finally bought a motor for my 97 short bed single cab, it’s an aluminum 5.3 (l33) and will be paired to my nv3500. I’m going to do a MILD Build and will still be my daily. Mild cam, stock crank/pistons, stock heads, but looking at doing a tbss intake on it. Bought it already taken completely apart so I was able to look at it pretty good before buying. Ran me $900 which I thought was a great deal. Came with crank, pistons, heads, timing cover, rear cover, brand new oil pan and pickup tube. Gonna replace all the bearings and put it together myself. First time putting an engine together myself so should be fun! Not in any rush.. haha. Let me know what you guys think, just wanted to share with the forum.

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[0xDEADBEEF]

I think you'll love it. What cam are you thinking about?

 

[RDF1]

Those are getting hard to find!
I have one i bought a few years ago for my truck but just havent had time to get to it.
They are really easy to put together just take your time and pay attention to everything.
I use King XP bearings in them and Durabond cam bearings. Melling 10295 oil pump for iron blocks and 10355 for alum blocks
Just remember if your main bearing clearance is .0025" it will be about .004 when block is up to temperature.

 

[L31MaxExpress]

Those are getting hard to find!
I have one i bought a few years ago for my truck but just havent had time to get to it.
They are really easy to put together just take your time and pay attention to everything.
I use King XP bearings in them and Durabond cam bearings. Melling 10295 oil pump for iron blocks and 10355 for alum blocks
Just remember if your main bearing clearance is .0025" it will be about .004 when block is up to temperature.

L33s are getting rare because they did not build many, but the LM4 is almost the same engine and much more common.

 

[618 Syndicate]

L33s are getting rare because they did not build many, but the LM4 is almost the same engine and much more common.

Significant differences between an L33 and an LM4, and LM4 engines are far from common.

 

[Supercharged111]

Significant differences between an L33 and an LM4, and LM4 engines are far from common.

Agreed, L33 has more compression and better heads. I have an LM4 on the stand for my Camaro, some day. It is sporting an LS1/LQ4 cam now but is mostly blown apart.

 

[L31MaxExpress]

Agreed, L33 has more compression and better heads. I have an LM4 on the stand for my Camaro, some day. It is sporting an LS1/LQ4 cam now but is mostly blown apart.

I have a LM4 that came with factory flat tops and 799s on it sitting in my shop floor. They were in loads of SUVs. H3s, SSR, Trailblazer, etc.

 

[618 Syndicate]

I have a LM4 that came with factory flat tops and 799s on it sitting in my shop floor. They were in loads of SUVs. H3s, SSR, Trailblazer, etc.

If it has flat tops and 799 hears it's an L33. LM4 motors don't have those. Most trailblazers etc. had 6 cylinder engines, aside from the SS (LS2) the LM4 was used in 03 and 04, 05+ have the LH6. The H3 V8 option was an LH8 or LH9 depending on model year, both of which are iron block motors.

 

[TCBRacer77]

I think you'll love it. What cam are you thinking about?

I’m looking at the Stage 1 SUM-8718 Pro LS Drop-in Truck Swap Cam, Maximum Torque for Towing and Efficiency, 205/217 112+2, .500 /.500 Lift. I know it’s not much of a cam when there are choppier ones for the same price, and not far from a truck Norris cam price wise but again, I am trying to go for a MILD daily, lol I know my weak point will be my transmission too. Some day I might throw some power to this motor but not until I can afford the t56 magnum first haha

 

[TCBRacer77]

Those are getting hard to find!
I have one i bought a few years ago for my truck but just havent had time to get to it.
They are really easy to put together just take your time and pay attention to everything.
I use King XP bearings in them and Durabond cam bearings. Melling 10295 oil pump for iron blocks and 10355 for alum blocks
Just remember if your main bearing clearance is .0025" it will be about .004 when block is up to temperature.

What are my bearing clearance tolerances for a daily driver? The bearings look fantastic but the guy I bought it from said they should be replaced for a daily because they won’t be tight enough. He was planning on using it as a drag motor so looser fit is what he wanted.