I have been debating about doing a swap for a long time now. A guy at work has a 4.8 out of a 2003 Tahoe with 90k miles on it. He said he will sell it for 1600, says it has everything with it. I read about you guys doing swaps with 5.3s and 5.7s but haven't heard about 4.8s. What do you guys think of these?
4.8 vortec with 4l60e (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter sj
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Generally, people don't like the 4.8. I believe the prevailing opinion is that it's kind of unreliable (compared to the 5.3, 5.7, and 6.0), and it's pretty anemic at the low end; it doesn't really make a ton of torque until you rev it pretty high.
A 4.8 would potentially be just fine to swap into something lighter and/or more street oriented than a 60-series wagon, but when you're crawling in 4-lo, it's not going to have much extra grunt compared to a working 2F, and it's going to cost a lot more than a carb rebuild and the little bit of extra gas you're burning.
Personally, for the difficulty and cost involved in the swap, I'd get a bigger V8 so it's considerably better than the 2F in every category of performance.
Plus, $1600 isn't that great for a 4.8. It's definitely not a bad price, but you can find a 5.3/5.7/6.0 in that same very rough price range if you're patient.
A 4.8 would potentially be just fine to swap into something lighter and/or more street oriented than a 60-series wagon, but when you're crawling in 4-lo, it's not going to have much extra grunt compared to a working 2F, and it's going to cost a lot more than a carb rebuild and the little bit of extra gas you're burning.
Personally, for the difficulty and cost involved in the swap, I'd get a bigger V8 so it's considerably better than the 2F in every category of performance.
Plus, $1600 isn't that great for a 4.8. It's definitely not a bad price, but you can find a 5.3/5.7/6.0 in that same very rough price range if you're patient.
Bama4door
Supporting Vendor
$1600 is way to steep for a 4.8 and how would it not give more grunt than a 2F? If I ever did the v8 swap in my 62 I would highly consider a 4.8. Usually you can find people giving them away on craigslist or at junkyards. I sourced my '02 6.0 from a local junkyard for $1000 with 100k miles on it. I would look around before getting this one from your friend.
There really isn't much difference between the 4.8 and 5.3 as far as power wise. Many people actually prefer the 4.8 in boosted applications due to the lower stroke. I know you aren't going to turbo it or anything, but they are very stout blocks. Swap in a new cam while it's out, a nice intake and nice exhaust and you'd be golden.
inkpot
SILVER Star
plenty of grunt
I would think the 4.8 to be plenty of power, just compare local pricing first to make sure you are getting a good/fair price. The torque converter allows you to use all the power you need in any given situation. After 50 years of driving a clutch, I bought an 80 series 2.5 years ago and I have had to learn how to get the most out of the 4.5 in it. Works fine, no complaints. Not a race car, but it's not supposed to be. I have driven/wheeled with a lot of 80s without a SC, so that's not part of my opinion. John
I would think the 4.8 to be plenty of power, just compare local pricing first to make sure you are getting a good/fair price. The torque converter allows you to use all the power you need in any given situation. After 50 years of driving a clutch, I bought an 80 series 2.5 years ago and I have had to learn how to get the most out of the 4.5 in it. Works fine, no complaints. Not a race car, but it's not supposed to be. I have driven/wheeled with a lot of 80s without a SC, so that's not part of my opinion. John
Bama4door
Supporting Vendor
I would agree with both of these guys...CCSB full size truck vs a 60 is a very different animal and he says he doesnt mind it
Now if you can find a 5.3 in your price range yea I would get one over the 4.8. I usually see 5.3s going for $500-1000 but you will need a complete long block so I would guess around $750 is a decent price. Check car-part.com and craigslist daily...
I am very happy with my truck. Anybody who says it won't have enough power is lying. I have taken my truck up over 100mph (not recommended) going up hill something a 2f could never do. I take it to the rocks as much as I can and with both axles locked it has no prob spinning all 4 in lo range. A 4.8 is the same as a 5.3 in almost every way. The only difference is the crank and pistons. If you want more power swap in a 5.3 crank and you get something like 10:1 compression its as good a motor as a 5.3 and way better than a 2f. See my sig
Bama4door
Supporting Vendor
Swapping to some different heads would be easier than going to a new crank, but you make a good point haha
another fun fact both the 4.8 and 5.3 blocks are stamped 5.3 on the front. So I'm sure some of the 5.3 owners out there are running 4..8s and don't even know it. They are very hard to tell apart once they are out of the truck.
Yrs ago I did a 4.8l/4L60e on my 85 fj60 when I owned it and I had no problem with the power of the motor whether wheeling or on the highway. Was a fun swap and is one of the cruisers I wish I would have never sold. My .02!
if you get the transmission and engine and everything...that may not be a bad price...but I don't know what those engines are going for. but everything would be ECM / wiring harness, air filters, all accessories, fan clutch and fan..wiring and whatever for the trans.
Yea I think the 4.8 shares common components with the 5.3 from what I"ve been told.
I would prefer to have a 5.3 but a 4.8 probably works fine.
Yea I think the 4.8 shares common components with the 5.3 from what I"ve been told.
I would prefer to have a 5.3 but a 4.8 probably works fine.
