2004 suburban. Is motor worth it?

[buddylee]

I have an opportunity to buy a 2004 suburban 4 wd that is complete for $1000
Anything I should be looking for regarding the motor?
Is this a good motor?

[mongocanfly]

Depends..whats the mileage ?which engine is it?..your not getting a 2wd trans so that's a hickup..if it runs you can do a pretty good self check on it..but I can buy a complete 5.3 wih all accessories for $800 around here..but if its got decent parts you could sell off what you don't need to help on cost..

[buddylee]

It's a 5.3 vortec. 122000 miles
Complete running
I want to run a carburetor
Does someone sell a complete kit for carb intake distributor?
What do I need off of the motor electronic wise

[nobox351y]

Msd sells an ignition box. Edelbrock makes a carb intake.

Probably a decent buy, but you are going to have some work in getting money back out of it selling off the rest of the parts.

[izzy_Britton]

IMO 122k is nothing to worry about if the engine/truck was not abused and maintenance was done properly on a good time/mileage schedule.

but mongocanfly makes 2 good points: first being that if your plan is to install into a 2 wheel drive application then the 4wd trans is a hiccup. which if your planning to go carb, and not spend a ton of unnecessary $$ on a stand alone trans controller, then your not going to be using the 2004 burb trans anyways.

which plays part in mangocanfly's 2nd good point: you can pick up good 5.3s all day for under $1,000 with accessories. unless your looking for a lot of wasted work and $$ just buy a engine, then get your intake and spark controller box, and hook your non-E trans to the back side.

otherwise buy the burb, yank the engine, sell the trans, t-case, harness, and rest of the body and hope you recover most if not all of your cash in a timely manner. MY time is worth NOT doing allof these things. if i buy a complete truck i wont pay over 300$ then i sawsall it to bits and haul it to the scrappy. this leaves me with engine trans and wire harness for cheap and a little more effort than i wanted but i call it time=$$ so i consider it a complete package for around $500

DidntMeanToBabbleIzzy

[MalibuSSwagon]

$1000 is too much for a parts truck. lower mileage is good but LS engines will run to 500k no problem. Altho a Suburban will have alot of parts to resell, I'd say offer $800 for it.

I'm all for buying parts trucks to part out for an engine, that way you usually get to test it and maybe even drive it. Otherwise you are taking someones word on a used engine's condition and miles.

[buddylee]

I can get the truck for $600
I will grab the motor and part the rest out. I should make my money back
I have more time than anything. Just new to ls swaps

[izzy_Britton]

Originally Posted by buddylee

I can get the truck for $600
I will grab the motor and part the rest out. I should make my money back
I have more time than anything. Just new to ls swaps

That's allot more like it

[MalibuSSwagon]

yea thats a deal grab it up. You should easily make your money back, and then some.

[mongocanfly]

Now you talking ..better snatch it..

[buddylee]

Is there a complete parts list for ls install
Intake
Distributor
Headers
Motor mounts
Ignition

[izzy_Britton]

You do not need a distributor. You can get the distributor against if you want it, but, MSD makes an ignition control box for carb'd ls'es that is/was considerably cheaper than the distributor adapter thing.

Ya see, LS engines have electronic spark control systems where the computer controls all the ignition parts, timing and such. There is no provision for a distributor. The msd box can take care of this task.

The distributor adapter replaces the front timing cover, adds a gear to the cam for the distributor. Requires new different water pump and I believe new accessory drive and pullies and such...

I know this is not a good technical explanation but I am driving the windy roads thru the mountains excuse my spelling errors and grammar.

Izzy

[buddylee]

Is there a complete parts list for ls install
Intake
Distributor
Headers
Motor mounts
Ignition

[mongocanfly]

Unless for some reason you've really got your heart set on a carb I would stay with the fuel injection..just my opinion.youve already got all your fuel delivery system right there..no need to buy a intake and carb.(check the prices)..these engines get good gas mileage and are basically trouble free just the way they are..by buying the whole truck you've got nearly everything you need. It starts with what truck are you putting it in..every install will be a little different but the basics you will need are motor mount adapter plates..on some installs the easist exhaust is to use manifolds instead of headers due to clearance issues..I have headers and had to do some creative frame notching to get clearance. Like izzy says you won't need a distributer,but you will need the ecm and wiring harness, maf sensor, fuel pump..if your feeling froggy you can modifiy the stock harness or if not buy aftermarket..then what trans are you going to use? Theres build lists all over this site but keep in mind everybody has a little different twist on how they do theirs,, its best to just read and learn what does and doesn't work for you..

[buddylee]

Thanks mongo