PerformanceTrucks.net Forums

Notices
GM Engine & Exhaust Performance EFI | GEN I/GEN II/GEN III/GEN IV Engines |Small Block | Big Block |

How to ID a 5.3 v.s a 4.8?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 07-05-2009, 08:06 PM
  #1  
Teching In
Thread Starter
iTrader: (3)
 
FireMedic331's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Grapevine, TX
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default How to ID a 5.3 v.s a 4.8?
I am going to look at a motor and trans tomorrow, the guy says its a 5.3 but how can I tell that's what it is for sure. I just don't want to buy it and it turn out to be a 4.8. What are the noticeable differences?

Mike
FireMedic331 is offline  
Reply Like
Old 07-05-2009, 08:17 PM
  #2  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (14)
 
Coban's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: League City, TX
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default
Pull out spark plug and look for dished pistons with a flashlight/boroscope. dished=5.3 flat=4.8
Thats the only way I know of.
Coban is offline  
Reply Like
Old 07-05-2009, 08:17 PM
  #3  
TECH Addict
iTrader: (14)
 
Coban's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: League City, TX
Posts: 2,130
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default
Double post.
Last edited by Coban; 07-05-2009 at 08:26 PM.
Coban is offline  
Reply Like
Old 07-05-2009, 08:18 PM
  #4  
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (14)
 
silveradokidd_4518's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default
what he said^^
silveradokidd_4518 is offline  
Reply Like
Old 07-05-2009, 08:46 PM
  #5  
On The Tree
iTrader: (11)
 
02gmc5.3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Virgilina, Va
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default
That or pull the pan and look at the casting number, 12552216 is 5.3 casting.
02gmc5.3 is offline  
Reply Like
Old 07-05-2009, 08:49 PM
  #6  
12 Second Truck Club
iTrader: (13)
 
dlt76028's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Crowley, TX
Posts: 5,883
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default
yea at the right angle you can see down the spark plug hole and tell if its dished or not. might have to pull a few to find a piston close to the top.
dlt76028 is offline  
Reply Like
Old 07-06-2009, 08:04 PM
  #7  
JDC
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (3)
 
JDC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Ontario,Canada
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default
The 6.0 I bought was cast into the block on the right side behind the alt. / ps bracket and on the right rear behind the flexplate. Its very easy to see if you remove one or the other.
JDC is offline  
Reply Like

Trending Topics

Old 07-06-2009, 08:27 PM
  #8  
Baltimore Whore
iTrader: (95)
 
Mangled03gmc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: In a van DOWN BY THE RIVER
Posts: 16,820
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default
Originally Posted by JDC
The 6.0 I bought was cast into the block on the right side behind the alt. / ps bracket and on the right rear behind the flexplate. Its very easy to see if you remove one or the other.
Yah a 6.0, but a 4.8-5.3 have that on the block, not one or the other...
Mangled03gmc is offline  
Reply Like
Old 07-06-2009, 08:32 PM
  #9  
12 Second Truck Club
iTrader: (13)
 
dlt76028's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Crowley, TX
Posts: 5,883
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default
nothin but a peanut...
dlt76028 is offline  
Reply Like
Old 07-06-2009, 08:48 PM
  #10  
Truck Sponsor
iTrader: (12)
 
Wheatley's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Sealy/Katy TX
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Default
If The the engine and tranny is still in the truck it is coming out of then look at the 8th letter in the vin number,and the 10th digit will tell you the year model!!
V=4.8
T=5.3 (LM7)
Z=5.3 flexfuel
B=5.3 HO (high output)
Wheatley is offline  
Reply Like



Advanced Search
Quick Reply: How to ID a 5.3 v.s a 4.8?


Reply Closed Thread Share

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:18 PM.