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

[dr_dobro]

Jim's performance did all my wire harness work for a fair price, and it's been flawless for 3 years so far...

Not a big fan of Howell, but the last time I talked with them was ~12 years ago and they didn't have a clue what they were doing. Since they're still in business, I suppose that has changed though.

I'm not sure, but they seems to know what they are talking about, plus I got a few good comments, maybe company has changed ?

The 4.8 is a turd and sucks gas with little power. 5.3 has good overall power and gets good fuel economy. 6.0 has more power and loves fuel.

Don't pay more than $1K or so for a 5.3 with normal miles. There is one for sale locally for $1K with 30K miles.
2005 5.3l 33k complete w/PCM,harness, DBW pedal - Norcal-LSX

Install a used Z06 LS6 cam $150 or less, port the TB $65, and install some headers with a tune and you will get an easy 375hp+. The stock 5.3 cam is dead beyond about 5,000rpm. Z06 cam loses no power down low and is good to 6500rpm or so. These are great little motors with people making 600rwhp+ from them with these mods and larger injectors only..... and a turbo.

There is a place near me that will label and modify your engine harness to make it easy to swap into any vehicle. It is $175 I believe.

Thanks for the Link, 2 weeks ago bought a IV generation vortec with 27K miles. Also that place is really cheap then to modify the harness. Howell is charging me $1050 for a custom new one and reflashed modules!

I have built LS1, LS7 powered vehicles and now a turbo LS2 shooting for 1000rwhp. They are great engines, parts are affordable and abundant. Kick ass cyl head design, superb ignition coil per cylinder setup, and strong blocks/cranks. Production blocks/cranks with better rods/pistons are good to 1000rwhp+.

 

[chicago]

I had tried to get hold of Jim of Jims performance...couldnt get a hold of him.
He is pretty well known with the Pirate crowd apparently as that is where I had heard of him.

 

[etrnlbzz]

I used Current performance Current Performance Wiring Custom ECM Programming. Totally reasonable. gutted junk wires wired in a new fuse block and relays flashed computer. I think it was around $650-700. Really happy with that. I've heard other guys do it themselves but this guy did it all including re-wire in my DBW pedal to the computer, and OBDII socket.

On the pedal, there is no other module, it wires in directly to the computer.

For fuel, I recessed a 07 silverado fuel pump assymbly into the stock tank......pain in the ass put I wanted to try to keep things as "normal" as possible fo the swap. I've read tons of mixed reviews about the external pumps going out over and over again due to heat. Get the Z06 fuel filter with the pressure regulator in it. It was like 35 bucks brand new off ebay. The dorman fuel fittings are a pain in the ass but I have a bunch left over if you need some.

Ohyah, I have an 08 4.8ltr/4L60e to stock three speed tcase......4 link rear (easier to push the axle back)

 

[Medusa]

Get the Z06 fuel filter with the pressure regulator in it.

Why not use the OEM pressure regulator in the fuel pump assembly

 

[etrnlbzz]

No reason not to, I wasen't aware of it. The fuel pump assymbly I have was putting out 90+ psi. if one were to go with the external or other fuel pump (other than OEM apparently) than the fuel filter with pressure regulator was a good option.

 

[Medusa]

Perhaps I misunderstood. My reading of post #43 was that you installed the fuel pump/sender assembly from an '07 Silverado and then added the external filter/regulator assembly. That would give you two regulators, and I did not understand the reasoning behind that. Since the fuel pressure regulator is incorporated with the fuel pump in the '07 assembly you have all you would need in that unit.

 

[etrnlbzz]

I don't know what to say, the pump assembly I put in from a 07 Silverado was putting out over 90 psi. It had to be regulated past the pump......Maybe something was missing from the pump assembly that I got off ebay but it looked complete, minus the sender.

 

[dr_dobro]

I used Current performance Current Performance Wiring Custom ECM Programming. Totally reasonable. gutted junk wires wired in a new fuse block and relays flashed computer. I think it was around $650-700. Really happy with that. I've heard other guys do it themselves but this guy did it all including re-wire in my DBW pedal to the computer, and OBDII socket.

On the pedal, there is no other module, it wires in directly to the computer.

I've been out of it for quite sometime, but:
Good to know about the company mention above, will have to give them a call at one point!

I was under the impression I could swap the TB to an earlier version by cable, but found that my motor is a IV genereation vortec, therefore the crank is a 58X motor and will cost me so $ to go backwards!
I'm keeping my DBW as it is.

All I want to do now is drop the motor and tranny in the 40 in order to clean my floor!. I'm two steps away from it, then will have to find sometime to finish it next year !

 

[CruisinFJ60]

any reasons why should I not purchase the 4.8?.

Its a turd and sucks!