Replacement motor questions but hopefully fixable

[rockdogz]

So I seem to have a blown (and not blown as in supercharger) up 5.3 in my 2008 Tahoe. It just happened but I think it’s a spun rod. I had been planning to research engine swaps but this came at a bad time so I just want to swap in a remanufactured engine.
should I go for another 5.3 or is there a straightforward swap or kit for something larger (6.0?) or newer? I need something that’s already sorted out and will be smog legal in CA.
Any and all suggestions on someplace that could hook me up would be most appreciated!
Thanks
Tom

 

[S33k3r]

Stick with another 5.3 if you are a Californian. Also, knowing your budget might be helpful but, ultimately, look for a used 5.3 with 100k or less miles on it. These typically go for around $2-$3k around here, and then you have to pull the old engine and install the new engine. You may have to reuse your accessories, too.

 

[TollKeeper]

This may help you as you move forward with your build.

https://www.onallcylinders.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/05/LS-LT-Reference-Guide-Summit-Racing.pdf

I agree, with you being in California, stick with your 5.3. Hell I might even consider a 4.8 depending on AFM/DOD. Go used, it will save you some coin, and typically speaking, the LS is a long term engine.

 

[rockdogz]

Thanks for the info.
I pulled a P0304 code of a misfire and am going to try new plugs, wires, and coil to see if it goes away…may not be a rod after all.

 

[Tonyrodz]

Thanks for the info.
I pulled a P0304 code of a misfire and am going to try new plugs, wires, and coil to see if it goes away…may not be a rod after all.

Wishing you luck buddy.

 

[swathdiver]

So I seem to have a blown (and not blown as in supercharger) up 5.3 in my 2008 Tahoe. It just happened but I think it’s a spun rod. I had been planning to research engine swaps but this came at a bad time so I just want to swap in a remanufactured engine.
should I go for another 5.3 or is there a straightforward swap or kit for something larger (6.0?) or newer? I need something that’s already sorted out and will be smog legal in CA.
Any and all suggestions on someplace that could hook me up would be most appreciated!
Thanks
Tom

If you look for another 5.3, the 2010 and later engines have VVT. You can opt not to hook this up or pin your wire harness computer connector for it.

Hopefully that code has an easy fix, if not, it may only be time to replace the lifters, VLOM and lifter trays and such.

 

[rockdogz]

Thanks, I'm looking into the VLOM now. I have had an oil leak from the top end somewhere and now coolant leak too so would not be surprised to find the intake loose as others have. So we'll see if it's an ignition issue or perhaps lifter.

 

[1BADI5]

Thanks for the info.
I pulled a P0304 code of a misfire and am going to try new plugs, wires, and coil to see if it goes away…may not be a rod after all.

Could also be an injector, you'd have to pull your long term and short term fuel trims to verify though.

Could be a burnt valve, bad lifter or valve spring too. At least you have it narrowed down to cyl 4

 

[rockdogz]

Thanks I've been wondering about the injectors...how do you get them checked/cleaned? Do I just find a shop that does this?

 

[Rocket Man]

Hoping for the best.

 

[drdave81]

Reading into this a bit, what made you think you had spun bearings, and then went to a misfire? Is there a knocking sound?

Not to sound rude, but you seem to be all over the place with this. Spun bearings, ignition issue, fuel issue..............
Before you go throwing parts at it, do you have any kind of a scan tool?
Let's start with some good diagnosis and go from there. It'll save you money. You have a P0304, misfire on cylinder 4. You can take a plug wire from say cylinder 5 and swap them. It's the easiest thing to start with. See if the misfire moves. If not, go to the coil, swap them. If not, swap the spark plug. These are all easy, free tests.

 

[rockdogz]

Reading into this a bit, what made you think you had spun bearings, and then went to a misfire? Is there a knocking sound?

Not to sound rude, but you seem to be all over the place with this. Spun bearings, ignition issue, fuel issue..............
Before you go throwing parts at it, do you have any kind of a scan tool?
Let's start with some good diagnosis and go from there. It'll save you money. You have a P0304, misfire on cylinder 4. You can take a plug wire from say cylinder 5 and swap them. It's the easiest thing to start with. See if the misfire moves. If not, go to the coil, swap them. If not, swap the spark plug. These are all easy, free tests.

It sounded like a knock at first so I assumed the worst. After getting it back home and hooking up the scan tool, I pulled the P0304 and started researching it. I pulled the plug on 4 and while trying to get the wire off it pulled apart.
While I’m waiting for new wires to arrive I’m going to do a compression check to rule out a bad valve or lifter.
As far as the VLOM, I had already been experiencing some oil leaking from somewhere higher on the block and I was going to replace the valve cover gaskets. I also have some small amount of coolant leaking somewhere although I don’t see it on the ground. I just need to add more to the reservoir monthly when it gets low. When I read about the VLOM issues of oil/coolant leaking I have a feeling it could be related.

 

[rockdogz]

Compression checked out ok. Tried new plug wire and spark plug, and swapped coils with cylinder 2 - the misfire stayed on cylinder 4. I suppose it could still be a lifter right? The compression test wouldn't rule that out because it would fail collapsed right?

 

[Rocket Man]

Compression checked out ok. Tried new plug wire and spark plug, and swapped coils with cylinder 2 - the misfire stayed on cylinder 4. I suppose it could still be a lifter right? The compression test wouldn't rule that out because it would fail collapsed right?

Injector harness?

 

[Fless]

Or swap injectors with another cylinder.

 

[Rocket Man]

Or swap injectors with another cylinder.

Oh yeah, I missed the fact he didn’t swap injectors yet.

 

[TollKeeper]

While your down there swapping the injectors around, pull the valve cover off, and check for pushrod movement. This will also give you the oportunity to check for the lifter bridge being pulled from the head, or that the pushrod is even under the rocker. I have seen both, but usually on a high HP LS.

 

[rockdogz]

Ok thanks for the suggestions, I was going to pull the valve cover next but I will try swapping injectors first. Is there a way to test the injector harness?

 

[TollKeeper]

I think that requires a tech2 so you can fire each injector individually.

 

[Rocket Man]

Ok thanks for the suggestions, I was going to pull the valve cover next but I will try swapping injectors first. Is there a way to test the injector harness?

I'm not sure but I think you can swap from one side of the engine to the other.