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Any good sources for 5.3/6.0 LS engines?

Randyzzz

Randyzzz

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I started making calls for a LS engine for the J20 and got slapped with a serious case of sticker shock. When I bought my 5.3 for the Scrambler, I paid $1000 for a complete setup, 60K miles. The same engine today is almost double in price. Is this the new normal, inflation and all, or are the yards out here just getting greedy? If anyone has a good source, please let me know!
 
They are getting harder to find than a few years ago. My FIL just got a pair of 2012 4.8L complete engines with 60K yesterday. The new generation engines are out there but seem to cost more now that there is more demand for them. Just remember that the newer engines have different controllers......
 
I just bought a 2004 6.0L complete with 180,000km and all accessories, harness and part of the exhaust for $200 cdn.
They are out there. Might be cheaper to buy a complete truck and scrap/part it out.
It all comes down to supply and demand.


 
Check this guy out. I've spoken to him and almost bought an engine from him. I kinda wish I had, but I am kinda glad I stayed old school...though I am not sure I saved any money doing that...at all.

http://bdturnkeyengines.com/
 
That looks like what my FIL has been doing lately. I've been finding him the engines and he has been getting the harnesses. We run them and sell it as a turn key package.

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hefavitzen said:
Check this guy out. I've spoken to him and almost bought an engine from him. I kinda wish I had, but I am kinda glad I stayed old school...though I am not sure I saved any money doing that...at all.

http://bdturnkeyengines.com/
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He even references this on his website:

http://bdturnkeyengines.com/availability-price/

The Gen3 (1999-2006) GM Vortec V8 engine aftermarket has reached a new situation. Trucks & SUV’s of this era are typically NOT being repaired these days. Fenders, Doors, Beds, Interiors, etc. are of little to no value to the auto recycler (wrecking yard) except for the actually scrap metal value. Therefore the auto recycler must make their profit on the engine, transmission, and a few other drivetrain parts. The engine being the most valuable component has driven prices up significantly in the past few years. This, along with the dwindling supply and increased demand (every forum, magazine, Facebook page, etc. is littered with the next LS / Vortec Swap project) has also increased prices. BD Turnkey Engines is not making any more on our engines today than when we started but have seen our retail prices increase almost 50%.
 
In CT they are still cheap. I know of two companies within 30 minutes of me that I can get a good 5.3 from with harness for under 600 for a 99-03 era motor.
 
Up here you can find em cheap, but cheap usually comes with a significant amount of crusty heavy rust and thin oil pans and whatnot.
 
Thanks for the link to BD. I have visited their website, and I wish I could afford one of their engines. My best find was a 60k 5.3 for $1800 today. My junkyard contact is looking for a low mileage unit for under $1500, I guess I'll be patient. I remember when these things were $500 ...

That's interesting how BD states they are getting harder to find... Back when I did my first swap it wasn't all that common a swap. Now everyone is doing them. I guess even at current prices they are still the best deal for a reliable powertrain. Looks like this project isn't going to be staying within the projected budget...
 
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Wow, I bought mine last year for $1500.00 and that was with the transmission, computer, power steering pump and AC compressor and stated 80,000 and change mileage. And $29,000.00 later I am almost finished. Note I said ALMOST. LOL
 
zr10054 said:
Wow, I bought mine last year for $1500.00 and that was with the transmission, computer, power steering pump and AC compressor and stated 80,000 and change mileage. And $29,000.00 later I am almost finished. Note I said ALMOST. LOL
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$29,000??? That sounds suspiciously like someone got bored waiting for the transmission guy and started adding up receipts... :rotfl:
 
cdvcj8 said:
$29,000??? That sounds suspiciously like someone got bored waiting for the transmission guy and started adding up receipts... :rotfl:
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Nope, I'm still waiting on the Tranny guy and I'll keep my word and not total this one up till it's done, I was just guessing. I did take a 4th test drive yesterday and realized that its still shifts fine in first and second and if I baby the throttle just right it will shift to third and start pulling, otherwise when it tries to shift to 3rd it's like putting it in neutral. So I'm thinking hard about a rebuilt transmission now. Opps, I got carried away and thought I was on my own thread, Hijack over.
 
I am sure you know this but a lot of these era engines have piston slap till engine reaches full warm. Very normal unfortunately . It would be nice to hear the engine before buying.
 
It was the early year production engines that had piston slap issues.

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I'm trying to stick with an '04 if possible. Familiar with the slap issue. Not an issue in the '04 in my Scrambler, and so far the heads are good.

Trying to either justify or talk myself out of the 6.0- I will tow a 5000 lb travel trailer occasionally, and I currently have 3.73 gears and 285/75/16 tires. I know the 5.3 will be adequate unloaded, and get better mileage too. The 6.0 is a towing beast but at the expense of 3MPG. I worked for GM back in the early 2000's. I remember the 4.8 sipped gas, 22/15 possible, and was OK in a 1/2 ton 2WD or 4WD with stock tires. (This is what will go in my red 81.) The 5.3 was good all around but towing ability suffered with any upsize in tires. Unloaded mpg was 18/14, towing about 10. My Scrambler reflects these numbers. The 6.0 always had the 4L80E, a better trans for towing, but economy was 15/12 with 10 towing. Plus the 6.0 seems to have a $500-1000 premium buy in. My wallet and brain say 5.3, but my testosterone fueled heart say 6.0. Either way, I gotta sell some more stuff to increase the available funds.
 
I thought the 6.0 that came in the 3/4 tons usually scrapped for less due to the mileage


 
Yeah, high mileage (125,000 and up) engines are reasonable, even cheap. It's the 50,000-80,000 mile engines that get premium $$$. They're still out there- fewer and fewer though. There are more 5.3's with low mileage than 6.0's, that's for sure. And 4.8's are relatively easy to find with low miles. Plus getting all the externals costs an extra $500- but you really can't put all the externals together for under that.

What's really interesting is I can get a 2015 5.3 drop out with under 4,000 miles for $2500, plus externals. Almost worth it...until you start adding it all up.
 
The 6.0l/4l60E in my AWD 2005 Yukon gets 12-15mpg towing my Jeep depending on if it's flat ground or pulling hills to elevation. The 6.0L can have either transmission.

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Randyzzz said:
Yeah, high mileage (125,000 and up) engines are reasonable, even cheap. It's the 50,000-80,000 mile engines that get premium $$$. They're still out there- fewer and fewer though. There are more 5.3's with low mileage than 6.0's, that's for sure. And 4.8's are relatively easy to find with low miles. Plus getting all the externals costs an extra $500- but you really can't put all the externals together for under that.

What's really interesting is I can get a 2015 5.3 drop out with under 4,000 miles for $2500, plus externals. Almost worth it...until you start adding it all up.
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Has the aftermarket figured out the Ecotec engines? The new 5.3 is a monster compared to the early 5.3's.
 
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