good evening this is my first post here and I'm from south Mississippi just wanted to start this with a question. I bought my first Tahoe a week ago, used 190k miles. It's mint on the exterior and interior. First thing I noticed was an oil leak that was diagnosed as the rear main and my mechanic is telling me he believes the crankshaft has to much play and is just gonna continue to wear the rear main. I mentioned this to the guy I bought it from he was in no way at liability to do anything but I knew the type of guy I bought from. He said instead of tearing the motor down to inspect that crankshaft and replace a rear main let's look at a new/reman motor. With that said through my dad's work, 25 years owning an auto parts store I can get a full 5.3l for 1812$ that's tax included. 3 year warranty or 100k miles. Now at a 190k miles this seems like a deal I should go ahead and do. Because the interior and exterior are to mint to just salvage over motor isssues in my opinion. Now to the question, I'm looking into a CAI, muffler and tuner as my first three purchases to go on during installation. This is gonna be a family vehicle with the side of being my toy sometimes lol. So I am not gonna do a full loud exhaust. I was thinking a 50 series flowmaster muffler, volant cai and not sure on the tuner. Suggestions??? The current motor that's in it runs at idle and 40 pounds of oil pressure and runs at constant 50. Hate to just let it go but if it's gonna cost me as much to fix it as a replacement would cost it's worth it!
2003 chevy tahoe z71 edition (new motor)
- Thread starter Bowtie601
- Start date
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MrBalll
Full Access Member
It would be a lot cheaper to replace a RMS and crankshaft on your own. Will be a challenge, but can be done.
But, if you are going to have a shop do all the work then yeah, that might add up to the cost of the shop to fix them.
Also don't forget to factor in the man hours to take out your old motor, dispose of it, put the new one in and hope it runs right. That could add up to a lot more than what replacing the two parts would be.
I know Flowmasters can be very loud. If it's a family vehicle you may be better off with a Magnaflow. Still loud with a good rumble, but not as loud as a Flowmaster. That one will be your choice.
As far as the tuner, you may just save that until you've done more modifications to the truck; personally I would. Just a CAI and new muffle aren't going to help much in the way of gaining HP. But, again, only you can make a decision for your vehicle.
But, if you are going to have a shop do all the work then yeah, that might add up to the cost of the shop to fix them.
Also don't forget to factor in the man hours to take out your old motor, dispose of it, put the new one in and hope it runs right. That could add up to a lot more than what replacing the two parts would be.
I know Flowmasters can be very loud. If it's a family vehicle you may be better off with a Magnaflow. Still loud with a good rumble, but not as loud as a Flowmaster. That one will be your choice.
As far as the tuner, you may just save that until you've done more modifications to the truck; personally I would. Just a CAI and new muffle aren't going to help much in the way of gaining HP. But, again, only you can make a decision for your vehicle.
Sadly yes shop will be doing all the work , I said I was gonna get a manual and get on this myself because I can work on anything else lol atvs, lawn mowers, crotch rockets but wife says it's not sittin under the shed tore down while I cuss and throw stuff lolll. The guy doing the motor pull and new motor I stall is Legit. Family friends out of his home and teaches the auto mechanics shop class at the college here. Gonna charge me 600$ in labor to pull the motor and install the other. As long as I will come over and help when I can that's about 600$ less labor then he usually charges! That's why I was looking at the flowmaster 50 series is for the rumble without the drone but if you have a magnaflow model you recommend I would gladly look into it. Cai and a muffler first and foremost. Then once I feel more comfortable working on it I may do some things myself, long tube headers, throttle body, maybe a cam. This all depends on what you guys think of these mods for the Tahoe and again I can't let it get to loud or out of hand. Wife's car is a firebird with an ls1 so she likes the power but my son(15 months) will be riding watching his dvds I don't wanna drone it out. I appreciate your time and THANKYOU for replying. I'll be the first to say I know I'm driving a heavy vehicle not a charger just trying to add what I can at time of install if I'm installing a new motor. Well my mechanic will be lol
RED TAHOE LS
Full Access Member
You mentioned a FAMILY vehicle, I suggest to get 2nd opinion on the oil leak and turn this in to something your wife will enjoy. Just too many irons in the fire with a fresh vehicle. JMHO and good luck.
David g...................
David g...................
Man, I'm onto my third opinion now. First opinion stated there were already some shavings in my oil and that I needed a motor. I saw the light flakes with my own eyes, 2nd and third opinion said they saw the shavings but it was normal wear for an engine with those miles. All three had the same diagnosis as to the crankshaft being the cause of wearing rear mains and one of the mechanics. The main one I use told me to just buy a motor he would put it in would be equal to or equivalent probably with the costs im already gonna be in. Trust me this is my main focus, I drive a truck during the day 300-500 miles a day usually so if the Tahoe breaks down and I'm 150 miles away we are in trouble lol.
I'm about to put some miles on it this week. I put some bars 1040 in it which is what one of the mechanics recommended I try to stop the leaks, and then see what happens at that point but there saying crankshaft is causing the damage. What I forgot to mention was it also just had the oil pressure sensor fixed two days before I bought it. Saw that work order also. Gauge wasn't working and it was leaking oil so they put 2 and 2 together on that one but then it's been leaking since the day I bought it. I just don't wanna put new parts in a new motor if I can get close to the same price with replacement motor with 100,000 mile or 3 year warranty. I know that's a risk changing all the parts but I completely trust the mechanic who would be doing the work.
I have 190k on a 5.3 and can tell you mine doesn't have ANY metal in the oil. That isnt normal wear and tear.
Tonyrodz
Resident Resident
If it was me, I'd definitely go with a new motor, especially if the former owner is willing to help you out. You never see that! Usually they tell you you're out of luck and you're on your own. Do the new motor with the warranty.
New motor comes with 3 year or 100,000 mile warranty. Directly from my dad's warehouse he's an auto parts owner of 25 years. Yes he's willing to buy the motor if I foot the labor. Which is fine because I'll get labor around 600$ which is unheard of around here. Going rate it 1000-1300 to pull a 5.3 and put the new motor in.
Countryboy07
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Sounds like you have a pretty good deal going for a new motor.
As far as exhaust goes, a good budget friendly muffler swap with good sound and little drone would be the Magnaflow 12259. I've been very pleased with mine. Bought it from @NORCAL SS on here as he is a supporting vendor.
Then found an Airaid MIT in the classifieds and put it on. Very pleased with that set up as well
As far as exhaust goes, a good budget friendly muffler swap with good sound and little drone would be the Magnaflow 12259. I've been very pleased with mine. Bought it from @NORCAL SS on here as he is a supporting vendor.
Then found an Airaid MIT in the classifieds and put it on. Very pleased with that set up as well
Okay talked to a lifelong friend of the family he owns his own shop of 20 years has worked on all our race car stuff and auto stuff for years he told me take the money the guy has given me for a motor and save it until I need it. He said we will find the oil leak this weekend and ride this motor out another 50-100k miles whatever it turns because he doesn't think I have any motor issues with no lights on dash and no error codes thrown. Also said get 3000 miles on this oil change then let him check that oil himself.
Tonyrodz
Resident Resident
Hmmm, when you think about it, he does make sense. I guess that's a plan. But make sure you hold onto the cash for that eventuality. Def keep us posted. I hope it works out in your favor. Please just keep in mind, the guy who you bought the truck from, in good faith that you don't really see much today, offered you the money to pay for the motor that you may or may not need because he trusted you and is trying to do the right thing. Just sayin.....
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I appreciate it very much, he made sense so I'm gonna put the money in it's own savings account and add 150-200$ a month to it and when I need it there it will be!!! Thanks for all the support here i lurked around awhile before I posted lol!
