If you’re thinking about an LS engine swap, LS engine build, or LS engine upgrade, the first place you’ll likely start looking is at the LS motor’s displacement. And that’s why we’re writing this series of tech posts. It’ll break down each of the LS engine’s most popular displacements.
Learn more about each LS engine displacement:
* 4.8L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
* 5.3L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
* 5.7L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
* 6.0L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
* 6.2L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
* 7.0L LS Engine Guide: Block Specs, Swap Resources & Build Info
This handy LS resource page is a good one to bookmark if you’re considering an LS crate engine for a swap, or looking for a 5.3L LS short block to use a basis for a high horsepower build.
You may also want to check out our Definitive Guide to LS Engine Specs and LS Engine Upgrades.
The 5.3L LS Engine Family
The 5.3L LS, or Vortec 5300, is primarily a truck/SUV engine that spanned both the Gen. III and Gen. IV versions of the GM LS lifespan. It’s essentially a longer-stroke version of the 4.8L LS and powered vehicles such as the Silverado, Sierra, Yukon, and Escalade. The engine is made with both cast iron blocks (LM7) and aluminum versions (LM4 and L33). The later Gen. IV versions incorporate newer technology such GM’s Active Fuel Management and could also be found in passenger cars (LS4) like the Impala and Monte Carlo.
The 5.3L family is one of the more popular swap options. It was the most-produced engine from the Gen. III, IV, and V eras, and there are plenty of these engines lying around in cast iron and aluminum form. GM 5.3L LS engines can had at a reasonable and can be made to produce very good power with the variety of aftermarket upgrades available.
Your hunt for the right 5.3L engine starts with this spec chart:
5.3L LS Engine Spec Guide
| Years | Liter | Code | Vehicle | Cam Bolts | Reluctor | VVT | AFM | Flex Fuel | VIN (8th Digit) | Block | Head |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-05 | 5.3 | LM4 | SUV | 3 | 24x | No | No | No | P | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 1999-07 | 5.3 | LM7 | Truck/SUV | 3 | 24x | No | No | No | T | Iron | Cathedral |
| 2002-07 | 5.3 | L59 | Truck/SUV | 3 | 24x | No | No | Yes | Z | Iron | Cathedral |
| 2005-07 | 5.3 | L33 | Truck | 3 | 24x | No | No | No | B | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2007-09 | 5.3 | LY5 | Truck/SUV | 1 | 58x/4x | No | Yes | No | J | Iron | Cathedral |
| 2007-2011 | 5.3 | LC9 | Truck/SUV | 1 | 58x/4x | 2010+ | Yes | Yes | 3 | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2005-06 | 5.3 | LH6 | SUV | 3 | 24x/1x | No | Yes | No | M | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2007-09 | 5.3 | LH6 | SUV | 1 | 58x/4x | No | Yes | No | M | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2008-09 | 5.3 | LH8 | Truck/SUV | 1 | 58x/4x | No | No | No | L | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2010-12 | 5.3 | LH9 | Truck | 1 | 58x/4x | Yes | No | Yes | P | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2010-14 | 5.3 | LMF | Van | 1 | 58x/4x | Yes | No | Yes | 4 | Iron | Cathedral |
| 2007-14 | 5.3 | LMG | Truck/SUV | 1 | 58x/4x | 2010+ | Yes | Yes | O | Iron | Cathedral |
| 2005-06 | 5.3 | LS4 | FWD Car | 3 | 58x/4x | No | Yes | No | C | Alum. | Cathedral |
| 2007-09 | 5.3 | LS4 | FWD Car | 1 | 58x/4x | No | Yes | No | C | Alum. | Cathedral |
Looking for an 5.3L LS Engine?
Here are two LS Engine Spotter’s Guides that will help:
- LS Engine Spotter’s Guide, Part 1: Matching the Vehicle to the Engine
- LS Engine Spotter’s Guide, Part 2: Matching the Engine to the Vehicle
LS Engine Swap Parts Guide
Our friends over at Summit Racing developed a helpful resource that’ll give you an idea of some of the parts you’ll need to complete your LS engine swap—including specific LS swap requirements for exact vehicle models. You can check it out here:
Wish I can see a engine installed with the aftermarket tuning capabilities and actually see and hear the car run, after all that’s what I want and more.
Hey Tim, there’s a link in the lead picture’s description if you’d like to see/hear that particular engine run. Or you can click here.
What is the main difference between a 5.3 and 4.8 l LS engines? Is it the bore size, or stroke?
Hey David, the 4.8L and 5.3L LS engines both use a 3.780 inch bore, while the 4.8L relies on a 3.267 in. stroke and the 5.3L has a 3.622 in. stroke.
Curious took me quite a while to find info on my truck. I have 05 sierra sle package I think. Anyway I am wondering about the l33 motor? I know the main difference is that it has the corvette heads and don’t have dished pistons. Is that correct and the only difference? Looking to take the motor out and rebuild it.
2007 chevy Trailblazer ls originally has 4.2 i6, but planning on doing a complete swap with 454 what will I have to delete I’m pretty sure the fender wheels,
I’m building a L33 and need to no what maximum lift comp camshaft I can use with factory pistons.
hello I have a block number 12567383. Can you tell me what year 5.3 I have. It has 862 heads
I have a 2011 LT 4×4 and would like to put a performance Long Block in it . Which of your engines do you recommend I use? Ps I will most likely still pull a camper with it !
Will a 2020 5.3 flex fuel motor interchange with a 2010 5.3 flex fuel motor. Thet are both silverados 4×4
WOULD ANY LS FUEL RAIL COVER ON A 5.3 CHEVY ENG LOOKING AT A 1999 TO 2004 FUEL RAIL COVER I HAVE A 56 CHEVY WITH A LS 5.3IN IT NOW AND WOW WHAT HORSE POWER THIS MOTOR PUT, THIS THING FLY THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME
I have a 2013 suburban ltz 4wd and I thought my truck had the lc9 cause my 8th vin # was 7 I put new lifters in and it’s not taping now it sounds like my valves are loud I and I have an intake leak but I did the valves by waiting to take the pressure off the spring and going to the net one someone said I have to rotate the whole thing 360
Greetings. Will a 2015 5.3 work as a swap motor for a 2008 gmc 5.3 z71?
I have a new rebuilt 2001 5.3 short block that was originally bought for a silverado 4×4. I now have a 2009 silverado 4×4 with a junk 5.3. Will my rebuilt short block work in this truck?
High mileage 5.3 vortec and ordering remanufactured engine to replace mine with blown headgasket. Not sure of the resources I need to get instructions on how to remove and replace. I have a list of parts I’m replacing along with parts I’m resusing from current engine. I think I have all the tools nessesary since I have many socket, wrench, extension, and swivel combinations and pry tools. I would like to know of any special tools I may need aside from pressing in a new harmonic balancer and serpentine belt removal tool.
Hello I’m in the process of Ls swap 2003 soburban 1500 5.3 im sitting that engine on c10 but I’m trying to find the right part what can someone recommend me .
i didnt see this question asked but california emmissions wise, is an 2007 LM 7 5.3 be capatable with my 2000 gmc LM 7 5.3
I have a 2007 Chevrolet Tahoe that come with the 4.8 LY2 LS engine and it blew up on me. This is my first time dealing with the LS engine family so I went and bought what I know now is the LH 6 5.3 thinking they looked identical and would work perfectly fine but I run into the trouble after getting everything installed and hooked up of it having problems reading my crankshaft sensor and won’t let it start at all… Please tell me I haven’t done all of this for nothing and what do I need if not to be able to get this thing going??
Would a 97 5.7 vortex engine be as good As in LS motor.