03regcabshortbed

So the time has come to begin thinking about an engine swap for my truck. A little about the truck as it sits now.. I have a 2003 1500 regular cab with the stepside bed. The engine in now is a 4.8L with the New Venture 2500 5 speed manual transmission. I'm just wondering what some of my best ideas would be to build up the power, swap to a bigger engine, build the 4.8 or what? Also what all would need to be done during an engine swap in order to retain the manual trans. That is the priority, I will not go to an automatic trans..

Cpb200

well you could re build the 4.8 have it bored to like a 5.4 or so and while your doing that add new parts and a cam and heads and new intake manafold depding how much you wana spend and still be able to reuse stock trans also a gear up grade could give you that extra get up and go so it you have 3.43 gear get 4.10 or so just depending what your looking for im sure you could put a 5.3 or lq9 in there if you realy want idk how much that will cost and theres a lot of right up of those on the internet

03regcabshortbed

I'm thinking of getting away from the 4.8 and moving up to at least a 5.3 if not a 6.0 as of now. My truck came with 4.10s in the rear so I've already got that on my side. I'm more of trying to see what needs to be done to mate a new motor to the preexisting transmission. I know the transmission will need to be built before putting a new motor in so that would be done. If anyone has any links or anything on a 4.8 to 5.3 or 6.0 whilst keeping a stick that'd be appreciated.

BullyDawg

the only difference between the 4.8, 5.3, and 6.0 is the bore of the motor. you can build up that 4.8 and get some great power out of it.

nkh34

BullyDawg is right if i were you id look into rebuilding the motor the 4.8 is an awsome reliable motor and your already set up to run the tranny. Just beef that motor up it would save you a few bucks. If thats not the way you wanna go i gotta guy i can ask that will know exactly what your looking at doing

goldengirl5

you can build up that 4.8 and get some great power out of it.

03regcabshortbed

BullyDog- The 4.8l and the 5.3l actually have the same bore with a different stroke.. The 6.0l actually has a bigger bore and stroke.

I'm actually thinking now about just swapping a LQ4 or LQ9 as it should be a direct fit to my transmission. The reason I want to stray from the 4.8l is the small displacement. There is only so much that can be done with under 300 cu. in. I'd rather step it up from the start and have more options in the long run, rather than trying to push max power out of a 4.8. I know people that have pushed a lot of power out of a 4.8 but they seem to be at a standstill.. I may be wrong but that is what it seems at least.