Is there any major differences with the 5.3 over the years? I know with the 6.5 there was lots of changes/improvements/diffeciencies over the years. How about with the 5.3? I'm looking 99 Silverado with a 5.3 with 99,000 kms (60k miles). Is there anything I should look for or be aware of? The seller mentioned something about it "not" having the typical chev/gmc piston slap. Is that a common thing?

I'd appreciate any info anyone can give me.

Thanks,

Dave

There is a 45hp difference and 23lbs of torque difference from 99 to 08. Other than that, I do not beleive there is any major change in design.

I just got rid of a 1999 silverado half ton Z-71 , with 5.3. About 140,000 miles on it. I worked it in my business most every day of the week. Pulled 6000 pound trailer , ladders , and tools. I can tell you this: Very good truck. My reason for getting rid of it was the fact that I had upgraded to a new , heavier truck. Thought about keeping it for doing estimates. But , at 140,000 miles , I says to myself , what if it starts to nickle & dime me.

Thanks. That's good info.

Dave

I've got a 99 5.3 with 184000. Fuel pumps are normal to go out. Also the fuel pressure regulator can go bad and make if hard to start when warm. Its real easy to fix and its only like 60 bucks. Other than normal maintence stuff, they are excellent trucks. They'll run too. I get 15 1/2 mpg with it driving around town and to work. At work we have them with over 250k and they are original except for the trans. They are good trucks as long as you take care of them. Hope this helps.

IIRC the 99s were rated at 275hp and the 08s are what, 310? I would put money on the 99 that any given day it would wipe the ass of an 08. Throttle by wire absolutely killed what little these engines had for get up and go. Don't get me wrong they run good but they have to be wound out tighter then an 8 day clock to do it. My 99 is no torque monster thats for sure. I'd hate to have to pull anything with it. Now my 95 on the other hand, something about the 400 ft lbs coming in at 2000 rpms if not lower just makes me grin.

The 5.3 is a great engine,90KM is just broken in. My brothers 01 has close to 8000 hrs on it,and 240K miles,,and still doesnt use oil between changes.

I still have my 99 5.3. It was bought new, spent most of it's life as a feather hauler and after 10 years and 60,000 mostly freeway miles, it has been flawless.

The only thing I remember is that the early ones had piston slap, but I never heard of that reducing the life of the engine. It was just annoying to hear it rattle when you start it up in the morning.

My 99 ECSB Z71 w/5.3 has 201,000 farm truck miles. The pistons slap, I just put a fuel pump in it, and the torque convertor unlocks. It is a great truck and I am keeping it. Oh yeah 11.15 in the 1/8th.