What's the difference between the 4.8 and 5.3?
Thread Starter
Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 127
Likes: 4
From: Kentucky
Car: 84 Berlinetta
Engine: LR4
Transmission: Auto
What's the difference between the 4.8 and 5.3?
In terms of cost/power potential, what are the pros/cons? Should I just get whatever engine I can cheapest? Would I notice much of a difference in them in a third gen? Either way I would be rebuilding and doing some upgrades before it goes in. Is it worth paying more for the 5.3? I would like to end up with 400+ to 500 hp at the end. (NA)
Also curious what's different to make that displacement. Is it just cylinder bore, stroke?
I'll be hooking up to a 700r4 until it blows up or I get a t56, whichever comes first.
Also curious what's different to make that displacement. Is it just cylinder bore, stroke?
I'll be hooking up to a 700r4 until it blows up or I get a t56, whichever comes first.
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 4,353
Likes: 308
From: NJ
Car: 92 Firebird
Engine: 4.8 LR4
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.45 9 Bolt
Re: What's the difference between the 4.8 and 5.3?
Stroke in the 4.8 is shorter.
Stock they both make about the same power, 4.8 is slightly less. If you're going to mod them you're going to get more out of the 5.3 because it is more displacement.
Stock they both make about the same power, 4.8 is slightly less. If you're going to mod them you're going to get more out of the 5.3 because it is more displacement.
Thread Starter
Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 127
Likes: 4
From: Kentucky
Car: 84 Berlinetta
Engine: LR4
Transmission: Auto
Re: What's the difference between the 4.8 and 5.3?
Thanks. Seems like the 4.8 will make plenty for me.
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/eng...e-ls-slugfest/
Found this article pretty helpful as well.
I found a 4.8 cheap locally that I think I will pick up and start rebuilding. Looks like peak hp and torque is at a higher rpm than the 5.3
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/eng...e-ls-slugfest/
Found this article pretty helpful as well.
I found a 4.8 cheap locally that I think I will pick up and start rebuilding. Looks like peak hp and torque is at a higher rpm than the 5.3
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,556
Likes: 811
From: South Ms
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 355 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt.Posi-3.73s
Re: What's the difference between the 4.8 and 5.3?
Torque. I had a pickup with the 4.8 and you couldn't tell the difference in it and my friends 5.3 truck until I hauled a load of hay with each. The 5.3 was in no bind at all, the 4.8 would pull it but valves clattered and it just didn't have the torque down low. Its kind of the difference like a 305 vs 350. Each LS engine is a great engine but id go for the 5.3 or a 6.0 if I was going through the trouble.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,774
Likes: 567
From: Cincinnati, OH
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Re: What's the difference between the 4.8 and 5.3?
Both are great for boost projects. For N/A the 5.3 is the clear winner. However, the later 4.8's, just like the 5.3's, came with better heads and internals. Since they have the same block, either one can be rebuilt into a 346 or 383. It is easy to overlook the 4.8, but that motor alone makes nearly 2x the power of the old 305's.
Thread Starter
Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 127
Likes: 4
From: Kentucky
Car: 84 Berlinetta
Engine: LR4
Transmission: Auto
Re: What's the difference between the 4.8 and 5.3?
Both are great for boost projects. For N/A the 5.3 is the clear winner. However, the later 4.8's, just like the 5.3's, came with better heads and internals. Since they have the same block, either one can be rebuilt into a 346 or 383. It is easy to overlook the 4.8, but that motor alone makes nearly 2x the power of the old 305's.
And that multiplier is definitely much higher for my 305
Supreme Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 286
From: Florida
Car: 1991 Z28
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 3:42 Auburn
Re: What's the difference between the 4.8 and 5.3?
I have an 03 Silverado with the 4.8 and it has aluminum heads. It also has 185,000 and seems to be as strong as the day I bought it new.
I always thought that would make a great power plant for the Z
Trending Topics
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,774
Likes: 567
From: Cincinnati, OH
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
Re: What's the difference between the 4.8 and 5.3?
Sometime in 2004 gm went to the "LS2" floating pin rod and rod bolts. In 2007 they released these engines with the 243/799 heads (ls6 castings). Those are 58x motors however.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
327_TPI_77_Maro
TPI
13
May 22, 2005 04:42 PM
Formula&Z28Toys
TBI
2
Aug 1, 2003 12:17 PM
un4givin89
TBI
4
Jul 12, 2001 07:14 PM
Reed
History / Originality
3
Feb 16, 2001 04:23 PM
1989CamaroRs
Tech / General Engine
4
Nov 3, 2000 01:35 PM
