4.8 Litre Chevy

[Bigwoodsman]

Looking at getting a new to me pick up, it has a 4.8LS for an engine. I've had the 5.3L several years back. However this one is a 2013 version and I'm not aware of these.

Anyone have one? What are your thoughts good, bad, indifferent. Not planing on pulling anything big or hauling anything heavy with it.

Thanks in advance.

BW

[jim summit]

Same basic block as the 5.3, has the same piston size, just a shorter stoke. It has less torque then 5.3 but depending on what your plans are it might not matter.
Great on fuel.

[CaberTosser]

Had one in an employers 2500 Savana and it got another 100km per tank over my 2000 2500 Savana with the 5.7 would get. Power felt quite comparable as well. Suits a person fine for most normal use, though it might be a bit wanting for towing something substantial.

[propliner]

You can't go wrong with a 4.8 LS engine. Guys are boosting these engines to 800hp with good success. They are strong, top and bottom.

[Ennyindabenny]

My work van is a 2008 with a 4.8. Just coming up on 200000 and haven't had a single issue with the engine.

[carlisle]

Ive owned both and current truck is 2012 4.8 last was 2007 with 5.3....only time i really notice a difference is pulling something which isn't really what either are made for, and the difference isnt much......one thing I would check is the gear ratio, i've heard those geared for flat land highway driving are dogs in the mountains

[Mayhem]

Just make sure you get it for the right price, majority of pepole want a bigger engine when you goto sell.

[Big_Willy]

My 2010 Silverado has a 4.8 litre (L20 series) V8. Ive had the truck since new and have never had it in for any warranty work. There was no option for the larger 5.3 litre V8 in the trim level that I purchased. I like the engine but the 5.3 has a little more steam for no real world disadvantage as it usually includes fuel management and a 6-speed auto versus the 4-speed mated to my 4.8 litre.

-Willy

[Ken07AOVette]

Isn't that the motor that they use in the trailblazers and such? They are awful in them if it is. You can buy a trailblazer for $500 and get 2 free here.

[Mayhem]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

Isn't that the motor that they use in the trailblazers and such? They are awful in them if it is. You can buy a trailblazer for $500 and get 2 free here.

That would be the 4.2L Atlas inline 6 engine. Made Ward's 10 Best Engines list, whatever that means...

The 5.3L was an option

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_TrailBlazer

[sako1]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

Isn't that the motor that they use in the trailblazers and such? They are awful in them if it is. You can buy a trailblazer for $500 and get 2 free here.

You are probably thinking the 4.2 inline 6. Most people have great experiences with them. If I remember it was voted one of the best engines produced in the mid 2000's.
The 4.8 V8 is bullet proof and a great choice for a half ton

[does it ALL outdoors]

Originally Posted by propliner

You can't go wrong with a 4.8 LS engine. Guys are boosting these engines to 800hp with good success. They are strong, top and bottom.

Hot Rod magazine tried to blow up a junkyard 5.3 with boost and ran it up to around 1200hp and couldn't blow it up. They found out after it was a 4.8, not a 5.3. Very strong engine.

LS's are the bees knees


http://www.hotrod.com/articles/hrdp-...g-bang-theory/

[Buckhead]

The 4.8 is a good durable engine - although a bit underpowered.
Quite thrifty on fuel.
Towing any more than 3,000 lbs would be a stretch.

[Brian Adams]

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

Isn't that the motor that they use in the trailblazers and such?

trailblazers - no
and such - yes

[raab]

I had one that was still running after 17 years and 375,000km's without any major issue, I wouldnt be surprised if its still running but it was sold at that point. IMO if you don't need the towing power the 4.8L is the way to go because of fuel economy. If you do need the power the 6.0L is the way to go. 5.3 is kind of the jack of all trades but master of none. In saying that theres no wrong choice with any of the 3 engines. They're all great, and should run for a long time.

[dangerranger5143]

I have a 4.8L in my 2004 Silverado 1500. Has 305,000 on it now. Still doesn't miss a beat. At 300,000 I started to put 5L of 5w-30 along with 1L of Lucas engine oil stabilizer. Doesn't seem to mind it at all. Also every oil change it gets a full bottle of Redline fuel treatment in the tank and every 20,000, I "smog" the intake through the vaccumm line with a 1/3 bottle of red line. It does have some noisy lifters at start up but all of that seems to help. That's just a high mileage Chevy thing.

About 3 years ago I did cut the catalytic converters out and had the ECM tuned by a local shop in Red Deer. Tuned it for mileage as well as towing. That helped a lot. All in all it's being a very good engine for the 130,000 I've owned it.

DR

[KBF]

Have had 2 trucks with the 5.3. Both had head gasket problem, one at a 150k and one 220k. I'm losing the faith.

Am I just that lucky.?

[Ken07AOVette]

Originally Posted by Mayhem

That would be the 4.2L Atlas inline 6 engine. Made Ward's 10 Best Engines list, whatever that means...

The 5.3L was an option

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_TrailBlazer

Originally Posted by sako1

You are probably thinking the 4.2 inline 6. Most people have great experiences with them. If I remember it was voted one of the best engines produced in the mid 2000's.
The 4.8 V8 is bullet proof and a great choice for a half ton

Ah gotcha, tyvm.