5.3 Combo help....

[Poncho72]

iv'e been looking for an answer to the whole LS1/6 intake swap-over compatibility and what works/won't work for a while. Thanks a lot Garys 68, post #15 cleared a lot of fog for me.

[67FirebirdKiller]

I just wanted to add one more thing to this. The OP mentioned an 2002 5.3, I recommend using 03+ truck engines since 03 and newer used the stronger LS2 rods from the factory where as the 99-02 used weaker rods. It's alittle extra insurance when getting high HP/TQ from these engines and if boosting the engine as well. Just my .02

[jwcarguy]

I just wanted to add one more thing to this. The OP mentioned an 2002 5.3, I recommend using 03+ truck engines since 03 and newer used the stronger LS2 rods from the factory where as the 99-02 used weaker rods. It's alittle extra insurance when getting high HP/TQ from these engines and if boosting the engine as well. Just my .02

FYI it is the 05'-up engines with the heavier duty floating wrist pin connecting rods, like what came in the LQ9 / LS2 engine, that is why 04' was that last year for the " LQ4 "

[67FirebirdKiller]

FYI it is the 05'-up engines with the heavier duty floating wrist pin connecting rods, like what came in the LQ9 / LS2 engine, that is why 04' was that last year for the " LQ4 "

You're right my mistake, the differences between the years were:

03+ all went to drive by wire
05+ got better heads, connecting rods, and flat tops
07+ got bigger intake manifolds + 87 mm TB (or larger)

It had been awile since I looked up the differences, sorry about that.

[2yellow69]

I'm not so sure about 03+ drive by wire fact. The LQ4 I have is a 2004 and was DBC. Probably had something to do with being in a van, but they are out there. I'm pretty sure it was a late '04 because it had the dished pistons with coated skirts and full float pins. Gm must have been transitioning the engines around that time.