member help please

[68MoneyPit]

I found a 5.3 from an 07 that was wrecked at 7k miles it does come complete with everything including the wiring harness. that is complete with everything except the ac compressor and the computer. I am not a carb guy at all and everything about a late model fuel injected motor is appealing to me. I just dont want to feel like i am being TAKEN. Ive seen other posts saying that the 5.3 is common enough at all the salvage yards that you can practically buy them for a song. there is a huge gap between a song and $2100. until i saw all these motors come up for 800-1200 bucks, I thought it seemed like a good deal with the complete motor and trans. I guess it is appealing that it only has 7k and the others ive seen selling for so cheap are 60-70k and up on the mileage.

So, I guess the question is whether or not $2100 is too steep of a price for a 07 5.3 with the 460LE, wiring harness, starter, alternator, water pump, etc. (all but the computer and ac compressor)

Thanks in advance for any help.

[usmcchevy]

I'd say high, but not completely off the chart. Search Ebay and Craigslist and you should find a better deal. I got a pretty good deal off craigslist 07 4.8 with 4L80e harness and all for $800. Good luck

[Big Port Jimmy 6]

Seems a little high not to have the PCM and compressor. You will also need the throttle pedal assembly and the Tac module for that truck. Jay

Remember mileage is not as big of a concern on these motors. They will last well past 200k with only minor maintenance.

[tonypaul]

In my area of Austin it would be a fair deal. Not a good buy but not getting raped either. If you have the funds I would get it. Even though those motors can last a long time, alot of time you dont know how they were treated. I would try to work a deal with the seller and try to get atleast the throttle pedal assembly and the Tac module and maybe the ecu. The ecu is pretty easy to get. Getting the right pedal and tac is a little harder to get in my area.
See if you can trade the harness for those items. You will more than likely want to do a aftermarket harness anyway. It cost about the same to have the orginal harness reworked as a whole new harness cost- depending where you get it from unless you plan on doing it yourself.

[Clyde65]

Hello from just east of you!

IMO, I would offer something around $1650.00 and harp and nag about the lack of AC compressor and PCM and Pedal assy. If they say no, move on to another.

I have had real good luck with LKQ out of Dallas ( Hutchins actually), Call them and ask them for what you need. Also look at the CL in this area, lots of opportunities to pick something up at a reasonable amount.

I also agree with ^^^ I wouldnt be hung up on ones that are really low mileage, 40-75K miles is still ok for the daily driver/mild show vehicle.

Look what I found...

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/2140855367.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/2085498707.html

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/pts/2085174113.html
this one is in your town.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/pts/2083966254.html

[LEEVON]

www.car-part.com is another good resource. I've found that when you do find these engines listed, usually with a phone call you'll find out they have more and can get a better price. LKQ near me sells them with lower miles (07+) starting at $1200. Their pricing should be pretty standardized from Arkansas to Texas...

If you're looking to retrofit into an older truck though, go for one with a few more miles and maybe older.

[Clyde65]

I put the 4.8/4l60e in mine and for a daily, it is fantastic, the prices for the 4.8 are even lower ( almost half) of a 5.3. Just food for thought. If you wanna look at mine, your welcome to.

[harnalien]

Man you guys know how to find the deals! I have been searching every night for new deals. I am looking for a 6.0. From y'alls experience, LKQ will work with you on prices? They had one for 1350, but it didn't come with anything like accessories, computer, etc. I asked the sales rep about accessories and he said they could put together something for about 500. That seemed high to me. I'm trying to stay under 1500 for an LQ4 w/ everything. I will be ready to pull the trigger at the end of this month, so hopefully there will be some deals then.

[usmcchevy]

6.0 with everything for 1850 is a fair deal. The 6.0's seem to command a much higher price than the 4.8/5.3.

[68MoneyPit]

will the PCM from an 05 work on an 07 engine and trans so long as it is the same combo 5.3 with 4l60e ?

[67C10BUB]

I believe 07 is when they went to DOD/AFM, so they are much different than the 05. Just a note...My 08 does not have a tac module. The pedal plugs right into the ECM.

[Clyde65]

6.0's demand a much higher price, the only way to get a "good" deal is to buy out someone who is liquidating for some reason.

If you go 6.0, you will definitely need a beefy-er tranny, a 4l80e comes behind them most of the time and they arent cheap either. A 400/350 built tranny will work fine but you sacrifice any mileage gains you might be after for doing the 6.0. If you buy a 5.3, then you can cam it and get close to the HP of the 6.0 but not that close. IMO, if your looking for under 1500.00 for a take out, the only way is to go 4.8/4l60e.

What my plan was/is is to get the 4.8/4l60e going and running well, then down the road pull the 4.8 and do a 6.0, I will have all the accessories already and as long as I go with a 2006 and down 6.0 then I wont have to change anything else other than the tune.

[68MoneyPit]

I went to look at the 5.3 i found on craigslist and had to pass on it. Turns out it was stored in a garage with a tarp on it. Even though it was under a tarp there was nothing over the openings where the exhaust manifolds bolt on and you could see the surface rust on the valves, well at least 7 of the eight valves. the other was covered in black soot. I though that might have been from the valve not making a good seat ? Im obviously not an engine guru. the water pump was full of mouse nest and crap, and even though the guy said the plug wires were all still installed and everything was good, it was not. half of the coil packs that the plug wires connected to were broken as were a couple of the spark plugs that were still there. the other plugs were gone and nothing was covering the holes. also had an array of cut wires in the harness theat was there. no tach module, computer, or accelerator.

On a brighter side, I found a 6.0 out of an 04 that was totaled with 18k miles. COMPLETE with EVERYTHING, and still bolted to the 4l80E.

[harnalien]

Did you get it? sounds like a good idea to pass on the other one.
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[Big Port Jimmy 6]

Originally Posted by 68MoneyPit

will the PCM from an 05 work on an 07 engine and trans so long as it is the same combo 5.3 with 4l60e ?

Nope 05 has a 24x reluctor
and the 07 up is a 58x reluctor.

[usmcchevy]

Originally Posted by Big Port Jimmy 6

Nope 05 has a 24x reluctor
and the 07 up is a 58x reluctor.

Unless the engine came out of a van...my 07 4.8 is a 24x engine

[68MoneyPit]

I got the 6.0 and 4l80E. I probably paid too much for it but Im ok with the price I paid and I guess thats all that matters. The tanks that I've looked at are $$$$$$$$$$$$$. I was told that the regular blazer tanks wont work with fuel injection and the tanks that go between the frame rail are close to a grand and they are only about 18 gal. Does anyone have suggestions for a reclaimed tank that will work on this application ?

[Clyde65]

I would contact David Boyd and get his non efi tank (@350.00) and use an external Walbro 255 pump and corvette filter. His tanks are baffled and you can ask him to put whatever connections you need. Since you spent some $ on a motor, better feed that beast and keep the food clean.

[68MoneyPit]

I was talking to a guy about that yesterday and he was showing me why not to do that. he showed me a burnt out pump he had replaced because it was starved of fuel I guess you could always fill up before you hit 1/4 tank but whats the fun in that ? I have the funds set aside for the $$$$ tank and will probably just go ahead and shell it out so I can just do it once. Ive had this truck in pieces for 2+ years and dont plan on taking it back apart once it is together.

On a side note and not a good one, I had the U joints on my 06 Dodge 2500 replaced yesterday and less than 200 miles later, BOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMM.

Yep, thats the sound it makes when the new u joint pops out of the cap and puts the drive shaft in such a bind that it cracks the tail shaft on the transmission. So, there I sat with my truck bleeding on the side of interstate 30 west of fort worth with the new power plant for the 68 sitting on the trailer behind it.

[Clyde65]

Oh man! that sucks for sure. Sounds like you experienced the luck I have most of the time. Im glad you got what you wanted and are somewhat comfortable with the price. Ya know, if you think about it in a year, you might be glad you did pull the trigger now since prices will surely go up by then. Good luck with your DD and you 68.