[PewterRado]

Alright guys i need some advice. I've got a 1997 Silverado with the 5.7l in it and my oil pump went out last week. I'm pretty sure it did some major damage in the process (metal flakes in oil). Its got 230k on the truck, so i'm 99% sure its going to need a new motor. If thats the case and the motor is coming out, i might as well throw in a few extras while its apart. This truck is not my DD and only really gets driven on the weekends when doing some landscape jobs or just riding around town. It will eventually get retired and just become a farm truck and hopelly get a SAS then (longterm). I've only put about 12k miles on it in 2 years.

So my question is, what would be a good idea for a little more power ( I'm thinking small cam) and some updgraded parts for duraiblity. Major engine mods are new to me, so lets here from the experts!specfic parts/brands/suppliers would be great.

 

[2005_Silverado]

ill be first one to say it....LM7 swap and be done with it. The 5.7 aint got much to offer with oem electronics

 

[PewterRado]

yea, i'd love to go that route, just not sure if the $$ will allow it. I'm trying to get my work to pay for the repair, because i was using my personal truck for company related work when it broke. I will obviously pay the difference if i add any extras, but how much more work would a swap like that be?

 

[2005_Silverado]

assuming ur trans fits, all ud need is the wiring and fuel pump with minor exhaust work and the motor mounts.

5-800 for a good motor and 150-200 for the harness and another 2-300 for misc hardware

 

[Graystone]

assuming ur trans fits, all ud need is the wiring and fuel pump with minor exhaust work and the motor mounts.

5-800 for a good motor and 150-200 for the harness and another 2-300 for misc hardware

The Trans will work with just a spacer. The fuel pump in the truck will work too. after 96 I believe they used a larger pump. the swap is not that much. Not to mention stock for stock the power difference

 

[2005_Silverado]

The Trans will work with just a spacer. The fuel pump in the truck will work too. after 96 I believe they used a larger pump. the swap is not that much. Not to mention stock for stock the power difference

:big_banana_Dance:

 

[PewterRado]

The Trans will work with just a spacer. The fuel pump in the truck will work too. after 96 I believe they used a larger pump. the swap is not that much. Not to mention stock for stock the power difference

Good to know... I obviously can't do the swap myself so a local shop will be doing all the work. So things I would need:

Motor mounts
Engine/trans spacer
Wiring harness(stock harness or aftermarket?)

What about accessories? Can I use the old or will I need the ones that come with the 5.3l? Other than CL/parts yard for a motor, where should I look for the other stuff?

Still not sure this will be an option until I talk to the shop some more, but I'd at least like to get a game plan together.


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[Graystone]

It's a flywheel spacer

 

[PewterRado]

It's a flywheel spacer

Gotcha... Again, i'm super new when it comes to the engine side of things, thanks for helping!

If the 5.7 to5.3 swap turns out to not be an option for me or the motor turns out to not be so bad, what suggestions are there for the 5.7l?

 

[black350HO]

Vortec can be carbed and headers with a full exhaust.. You could make more hp without the computer and if mpg is not a factor then so what..

 

[PewterRado]

Vortec can be carbed and headers with a full exhaust.. You could make more hp without the computer and if mpg is not a factor then so what..

MPG by far is not a concern. I only drive it when i need it. 10 miles a week on average, unless i'm going hunting at the farm. The more i think about it, the more i want to keep this simple and stick with a 350 and some mid upgrades. i'll save the LM7 swap for the '67 C10 'm hoping to start in the next year. i'm going to try and do it all myself and learn as i go for that one.

Any suggestions on a mid cam and good set of Long Tubes?

 

[Blue 04 Z71]

Rv cam is popular

 

[barrrf]

White smoke tends to come out the truck coz it has inadequate heat. It's aggravated by cold weather. Aside from the valve stem seal, you can also check your glow plugs, it should heat your engine.

 

[PewterRado]

White smoke tends to come out the truck coz it has inadequate heat. It's aggravated by cold weather. Aside from the valve stem seal, you can also check your glow plugs, it should heat your engine.

?wrong thread? not sure what that is in reference to.

 

[PewterRado]

Just heard back from the shop. They said the motor is definitely toast and i will need a new one. They quoted me $5,500 for a new motor with install etc. They said that includes replacing a few other old parts too like waterpump, thermostat, plugs/wires etc.

Does this seem fair?

 

[ItsSabby]

No way in hell. Could buy an nbs truck with less miles for less money.

 

[Graystone]

For a 350? Holy balls. a new long block is just over a grand. All the replacement parts you listed are less than $200

 

[ItsSabby]

4k in labor lol. This is going to wind up being a clusterfuck for you if you can't do the work yourself with some friends, or take it somewhere other than just a general mechanics shop and to someplace who knows what they're doing and are familiar with modding Chevy trucks

 

[PewterRado]

No way in hell. Could buy an nbs truck with less miles for less money.

For a 350? Holy balls. a new long block is just over a grand. All the replacement parts you listed are less than $200

4k in labor lololol

thats what I thought... I understand they have to have markup on parts, but i dont see how they get that much... Like you said, the truck isnt worth that much with a running motor in it.....

 

[ItsSabby]

They could be highballing you to try and get you to say screw it and give them the truck. At which point they'd put a grand into it and have themselves a nice shop truck or look to flip it. I'd get the truck back to your place and start researching on where to go from here.