[cv67]

Anyone have personal experience? I know they have been around forever and mass produce these.
I do not believe in the cheapo engine thing...however

My 02 1500's 5.3 has almost 190k and pretty sure I have a lifter on its way out.
My oil pressure gauge is going crazy also..dont know if its a sender, a bad o ring or what.
I can get a longblock for 1799...figured Id do some portwork, [email protected] torque cam that can smog (already did the intake/TB) and run it til I can take the original and slowly do a rebuild I have more confidence in.

This is my primary DD...so need it running. Guess I have to get the El running eh? this should be interesting. 112 deg heat and a car thats been sitting a year LOL

Not expecting greatness from this thing just get me by for a year.
A used one with unknown history and tons of mi is still 1g-1500
Some yards claim theirs all have under 100k I find that hard to believe they are 20 yrs old!

Other options? Suggestions?

 

[cv67]

In addition I thought if I got a pretest from the shop on the corner to see where its at emissions wise it may keep me from making a disappointment on how its cammed.

Should it work out I may even stroke the original. Id like to update this 290hp to a solid 350 or better but main goal is torque...I want to be able to tow.

 

[BillK]

Those engines typically are just getting started at 200k Dont forget that you will have to turn your old one in for a core or pay a healthy core charge. I have never heard of Maabco. A GM reman is about $2700, well worth the difference in my opinion.

 

[Georgia69]

My cousin's 03 Suburban with 5.3 has 330K miles and runs like new. My 04 Ford Explorer Sport Trac with a 4.0 V6 has 306k miles and runs like new - doesn't even use oil. In your shoes I'd be looking at correcting whatever little issues exist with my current engine and keep on rolling.

 

[cv67]

Who has the GM 5.3? havent seen them on summits site for awhile. Have to charge it up anyways & would prefer GM if possible.

Concerned maybe that oring in the oil pump is sucking air and doing damage.
Ill agree these are super durable engines...first 60k I drove that truck like I hated it...dealer was going to do a buyback as it was a total lemon...well didnt happen. lol
No Gen 1 would hold up to what ive put it through so it owes me nothing.

 

[BillK]

Who has the GM 5.3? havent seen them on summits site for awhile. Have to charge it up anyways & would prefer GM if possible.

I looked it up at GM Parts Giant. My local dealer will usually match their price.

 

[DUTCH MAX HEADWORK]

MABBCO Motors | Complaints | Better Business Bureau® Profile

View customer complaints of MABBCO Motors, BBB helps resolve disputes with the services or products a business provides.

www.bbb.org

Sounds like once you buy a Mabbco you're on your own if it fails. They are in Texas and for any warranty work you must ship the engine back to them on your dime. The standard warranty is 90 days. What's it cost to send an engine to Texas and then have it sent back to you? About $2000???

 

[68Chevele]

My 02 Subby 5.3 has 248K on it and runs like a top.

 

[shovelrick]

Whatever you do Id stay away from Auto Zone Reman engines, I bought a complete 300 cu. in. Ford 6 cyl. and only got around 2,000 miles before NO oil pres. at idle, they didn't replace cam bearings ( normal practice with Reman brand from Pa.) this was 10 yrs ago though, a couple mechanics I know say good things about Jasper reman. engines

 

[B52bombardier1]

My LS swap 5.3 liter truck motor in my 70 EC had 150,000 miles on it when it went in and a little over 154,000 miles on it now. No oil usage, very good compression and 48 PSI oil pressure on hot oil at highway speeds, 30 PSI at idle. This engine ran well up til the moment of its crash inside the original 1999 GMC Sierra donor vehicle. I have had to replace a few engine sensors and fuel injectors and somebody had replaced the valve seals before I got the motor.

So pick a 5.3 liter motor out of a wrecked vehicle. I paid $800 for this engine already pulled out of the donor and I've been very happy with it. I have every expectation of it reaching 250,000 miles with no more than normal service.

Rick