Most durable engine Chevy ever built

[greg vess]

If you're lucky enough to find the LM7 or L59 engine ( the one with the cast iron block ) it has the potential of making one of the best forced induction power plants you can start with.



The 5.3L Vortec: Chevy's Longest-Lasting Pickup Truck Engine Ever https://www.hotcars.com/longest-lasting-pickup-engine-ever-made-by-chevrolet/

 

[GeauxLSU]

The one in my '02 Avalanche is amazing. Sold it to my brother. Will probably buy it back.

 

[greg vess]

The one in my '02 Avalanche is amazing. Sold it to my brother. Will probably buy it back.

I have one in my 04 GMC Sierra. It has 90,000 miles on it and I haven't even had to put a battery in it yet. I probably shouldn't have said that cuz it'll probably go out tomorrow. LOL

 

[Kyzrsoze]

I have a 2005 GMC Yukon Denali that I've kept specifically because it has the LQ9 6 liter iron block, 345 HP-380 TQ. No AFM.

The Yukon is still nice but I'd love to swap it to my older Silverado later on.

 

[GeauxLSU]

I have one in my 04 GMC Sierra. It has 90,000 miles on it and I haven't even had to put a battery in it yet. I probably shouldn't have said that cuz it'll probably go out tomorrow. LOL

Avalanche has over 200k.
Had it's first ever engine related repair last month. The water pump. That's it. Literally. 24 years.
You have a 21 year old battery?!?! Dang ...

 

[basstracker89]

I knew someone that had a 99 GMC pickup with over 600k on it. The motor had been replaced earlier in it's life with a used engine. That was back @ 08, I think. No telling how many miles was on that truck when he passed a few years ago.

 

[Stampede]

 

[basstracker89]

Duramax diesel. But it won't outlast a Cummins......

 

[greg vess]

Avalanche has over 200k.
Had it's first ever engine related repair last month. The water pump. That's it. Literally. 24 years.
You have a 21 year old battery?!?! Dang ..

Yeah, I know it's crazy right! I know it won't be long but not to soon I hope. 🤞 The only thing I have had to do is change oil and air filter. Speaking of which it needs an air filter coming up here fairly quick..

 

[greg vess]

Having very intimate knowledge of the LS platform engines seeing as how I use to build and tune them, I can honestly say they are a feet of engineering genius.

Back in the 80's if you wanted a 500 HP small block you had to throw massive amounts of money and parts at a 350 to even get close. Now with these LS platform engines like the older LS1- 5.7 / 350 all you need is a cam swap and a set of headers and you are there. 500 HP at the flywheel. Of course you needed supporting mods like valve springs and pushrods to handle the increased RPM but that was it. The 99-02 Camaros, Trans Am's and Corvettes were 500 HP monsters. God forbid you put a super charger on one because that would put 700-800 HP on tap. Remarkable powerplants. The 5.3L being absolutely no different.