VORTEC 5.3 or 4.8 to H55F, which one???

[dr_dobro]

I've been looking for some Vortec's out there and found a few.
There's a auto parts supplier (30 min from where I live) that has a bunch of brand new Vortec's from GM. They are complete, minus cover, PS pump, alt and mechanical fan.
They have in stock:
- LR4 (4.8) 310-325 Hp, 285-305 lb ft
- LM7 (5.3) 285-305 Hp, 325-335 lb ft

I'm concern with the torque that will be transmitted to the H55F I own. I think the 2F produces around 180-200 lb ft. The LM7 will be ideal because of less Hp, but torque is higher. The other difference is the price ($900 between the two of them).

Should I buy the 4.8 because of less torque and not to have future clutch problems with the H55F?

Any suggestions and or recomendations will be much appreciate it.
I'm trying to close the deal in a few days.

Daniel

 

[Combat Chuck]

I've seen Vortec and Ramjet engines on h55f hold up just fine, if that's the way you want to go. Shoot, I've seen folks run 5.7's and GM Big blocks on old H41's and H42's, and as long as you don't abuse your gearbox (and don;t overwork the long, skinny pedal on the right), it'll take it.

Honestly, the H55f's one of the toughest transmissions Toyota's ever produced, and rates on par with the NV4500.

 

[Elbert]

There are a couple of write-ups in the 60 forum about 5.3 engines...I've not seen anyone select the 4.8 in the threads and posts I've seen. I would pick the 5.3 or 6.0 engine.

 

[dr_dobro]

Combat Chuck, Elbert, thanks for your input!
Seems that 5.3 is a very popular engine, but any reasons why should I not purchase the 4.8?.

 

[chicago]

Combat Chuck, Elbert, thanks for your input!
Seems that 5.3 is a very popular engine, but any reasons why should I not purchase the 4.8?.

Which one is cheaper?
I went with the 5.3 BONE STOCK. Its historically been a great motor (from everything) that I have read and heard, and I didnt wanna go crazy with HP or torque and parts are easy to find. Dont know much about the 4.8, but I cant imagine that it'd be much different.

Curious to find out which you choose.

Good luck with the decision.

 

[dr_dobro]

Well here are their pricing:
- 4.8 $ 1,850
- 5.3 $ 2,750
- 6.0 $ 3,750 (not interested on this).

They both have cast iron blocks, and by doing research the 5.3 consumes less fuel than 4.8 !

I'll be heading this coming wed, to talk and negociate for the purchase of one of this motors, I want the 5.3, but could use the $ to purchase the adapters. There's got to be a reason for me not to purchase the 4.8 !
Dan

 

[Tapage]

There's got to be a reason for me not to purchase the 4.8 !
Dan

maybe it's just an idea but I prefeer have more torque dan HP for Cruiser engine .. and I've seen the H55F behind 383 down here doing pretty nice ..

 

[Elbert]

I don't have any great insight into the engines...I've just never heard of anyone using the 4.8 or any positive comments on it in general. I suspect that the 5.3 is the more common engine configuration and if that's so, it would be a good choice to stay with.

It I were to do another swap with a GM V-8 gas engine I would go with the 6.0 if affordable, just my view.

Better make sure there are adapters and so forth for the 4.8. I don' t know off hand if the 4.8, 5.3 and 6.0 share configurations, also don't now what transmissions options exist for the 4.8.

 

[Kurtis]

You can get a real low mile like 50k or less 5.3 complete with all accessories for less than 1500$ typically if your not set on brand new. I saw one just the other day 1200$ all accessories and 28k miles. That would defiantly save some cash. The 4.8 is an alright engine nothing wrong with it at all but the little extra size of the 5.3 does make a noticeably difference in seat of the pants feel and more noticeably when in a pickup towing.

 

[chicago]

I got mine with 49K for 800.00. Didnt come with the front accessories and such (alt. H20 Pump etc,) so I had to get all of that.
So I spent about another 300 or so. The deals are out there.

 

[dr_dobro]

I have looked on ebay and also on local yards. I've found one with (they've said) 30K miles, but when they brought it down to inspect, that thing had more oil in the outter surface than in the dip stick!. They wanted $800 with no accesories, but I walked away.

I do not know anything about these vortec's, but with my luck, I'll rather spend the extra $ and purchase the new engine.

I've been getting technical support from Orange45 and made me re-think about this issue for my best interest!
It is going to be a slow build up, first because of funds, second will be time to do it !

Hopefully I'll purchase this by the end of the week, but if there's anymore info out there, please let me know!

Thanks to everyone !
Daniel

 

[chicago]

I have looked on ebay and also on local yards. I've found one with (they've said) 30K miles, but when they brought it down to inspect, that thing had more oil in the outter surface than in the dip stick!. They wanted $800 with no accesories, but I walked away.

I do not know anything about these vortec's, but with my luck, I'll rather spend the extra $ and purchase the new engine.

I've been getting technical support from Orange45 and made me re-think about this issue for my best interest!
It is going to be a slow build up, first because of funds, second will be time to do it !

Hopefully I'll purchase this by the end of the week, but if there's anymore info out there, please let me know!

Thanks to everyone !
Daniel

Theyre surprisingly easy motors to work on from what Ive found.
All metric, some of the bolts are screwy (one use only type deals), and they are engineered friendly over all. The last motor that I tore into was a pontiac 4 cyl. with my dad....I had NO F"ING idea what I was doing, but I got a crappy Chiltons manual and learned a fair amount. However, all I DID was pull the heads and did some clean up in there, and pull the oil pan to check the bearings. Not too much inbetween. The challenge is in all the wiring and smog stuff IMO. The other nice thing is the parts yards scraps those motors out quite often, so the parts are PLEANTY for cheap.

Georg is an AWESOME GUY! He wont steer you wrong. He is one fo the few people whose opinions I trust without question.

 

[mookie]

my 2 cents.....get the 5.3- your tranny will handle that power all day long no problem......and there's some great info on pirate on the Lxx engines try searching for the Lx bible.....i see complete low mileage 5.3's for around $1200 all the time around here

 

[mwdubs]

This place was great to deal with Benwood Auto Parts, I recieved my 05 5.3l 50K miles with harness uncut, all accesories (- ac compressor) and PCM for $1000 shipped (from buffalo NY to greensboro NC). It had a bad starter on it which i found out 3-4 months after i got it, called them up and they sent me one free of charge. I am not affiliated with them, but i can tell you that i will buy from them again in the future.

 

[JackA]

I would go 5.3. I bought mine with 40K complete for $1100. It's in my 40 with a turbo 350. It moves pretty dam good. A manual trans sure would be fun behind one of these motors.

 

[dr_dobro]

This place was great to deal withBenwood Auto Parts, I recieved my 05 5.3l 50K miles with harness uncut, all accesories (- ac compressor) and PCM for $1000 shipped (from buffalo NY to greensboro NC). It had a bad starter on it which i found out 3-4 months after i got it, called them up and they sent me one free of charge. I am not affiliated with them, but i can tell you that i will buy from them again in the future.

That's great Info. I'll defintelly give them a call to see what they have !

I would go 5.3. I bought mine with 40K complete for $1100. It's in my 40 with a turbo 350. It moves pretty dam good. A manual trans sure would be fun behind one of these motors.

That's good to hear ! Thanks.

I'm happy that you guys are sharing what you have spent on engines and to know how many vortec swaps are out there!
<akes me re-think again. I'm calculating the entire process will cost around $6,000 (including exhaust work), for me buying a new engine, I'm required to get all the accesories such as alt, PS pump, serpentine belt system, mechanical fan.
daniel

 

[mookie]

btw vortec was the last generation of gm engines....the 5.3 etc. are in the Lxx family....like LS1, LS4, LQ4 etc.

 

[vkfzj80]

If I was looking for a motor, I'd go for what ever is the best deal as far as the 4.8 vs 5.3. both have similar power output and same external dimensions. there are several different accessory configurations like for truck/van or car so make sure you know what you're getting so that way you can match things up properly.

 

[dr_dobro]

Everytime I try to look for a vortec I find something:
I've located a 2007 LY5 with aprox 30K miles, it's complete with acc., pedal and module. This will cost me $1,500 shipped to my door, but I'm not sure if this engine will take a mechanical fan . They all look the same, so I'm guessing it should be a easy bolt in swap!
Anyone knows if this is true ?

 

[chicago]

Everytime I try to look for a vortec I find something:
I've located a 2007 LY5 with aprox 30K miles, it's complete with acc., pedal and module. This will cost me $1,500 shipped to my door, but I'm not sure if this engine will take a mechanical fan . They all look the same, so I'm guessing it should be a easy bolt in swap!
Anyone knows if this is true ?

LOL...
The terms "Easy", "swap" and "Landcruiser" do not belong together.

Donno about the 07', but the 01' was pretty straight forward as far as setting in the rig. The hard part as Im to understand it is the wiring and the plumbing. Most everything has not been hard per se, but time consuming as damn near everything Ive had to make by hand ( x members, brackets etc.)
BTW, that sounds like a GREAT PRICE.
If I recall, that would be a drive by wire set up? Some folks love those, but others prefer a cable set up. I sit in the cable camp. Not sure if a mech. fan was something that you could slap on either.
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