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Used 5.3 Vortec & LS Engines for Sale
Used 5.3 V8 engines for the Chevrolet Silverado, GMC Sierra, Tahoe, Yukon, Suburban and Avalanche, from the Gen III Vortec 5300 to the Gen V EcoTec3, matched to your VIN. Tell us the year and model and one independent supplier quotes availability, price and shipping to Texas or anywhere in the lower 48.
- Ships to all 48 contiguous states
- Fitment checked by VIN
- Free to ask
- $654used, typical low end
- $2,799remanufactured, from
- 15vehicle lines listed
- 1999earliest model year listed
5.3 V8 Engine Price: Used vs Remanufactured
- 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 15005.3L, VIN T (8th digit)$654–$1,000median $875 · 100 listings
- 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 15005.3L, VIN 0 (8th digit, Opt LMG)$1,593–$2,178median $1,800 · 99 listings
- 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 15005.3L, VIN 3 (8th digit, Opt LC9)$1,498–$3,874median $2,400 · 99 listings
- 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 15005.3L, VIN 0 (8th digit, Opt LMG)$1,494–$2,050median $1,747 · 100 listings
- 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 15005.3L, VIN 3 (8th digit, Opt LC9)$1,434–$2,225median $1,850 · 100 listings
- 2016 Chevrolet Silverado 15005.3L, Opt L83 (VIN C, 8th digit)$2,042–$2,613median $2,275 · 100 listings
- 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 15005.3L, Opt L82 (VIN F, 8th digit)$2,527–$5,335median $4,116 · 96 listings
- 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 15005.3L, Opt L84 (VIN D, 8th digit)$3,871–$4,801median $4,225 · 80 listings
- Remanufactured17 remanufactured units listed by Monster Transmission, Powertrain Products$2,799–$4,999median $3,549 · 17 offers
Each used bar runs from the 25th to the 75th percentile of that version's asking prices, so half its listings fall inside it, and the dot marks the median. The supplier quotes your exact part, shipping and warranty.
These are part prices only. For labor and the total bill, see our engine replacement cost guide.
5.3 V8 at a glance
| Displacement | 5,327 cc (325 cu in) V8, 96 mm bore × 92 mm stroke, in every generationSource: Wikipedia: GM LS-based small-block engine, Wikipedia: L83 |
|---|---|
| Valvetrain | Two valves per cylinder, pushrod, carried over into Gen VSource: Wikipedia: Generation V |
| Generations | Gen III Vortec 5300 (LM7, L59, LM4, L33); Gen IV (LH6, LS4, LY5, LC9, LMG, LH8, LH9, LMF); Gen V EcoTec3 (L83, L8B, L82, L84)Source: Wikipedia: Generation III, Wikipedia: Gen IV 5.3, Wikipedia: Generation V |
| Block material | Cast iron: LM7, L59, LY5, LMG, LMF. Aluminum: LM4, L33, LH6, LH8, LH9, LC9, LS4Source: Wikipedia: 5.3 L (Gen III), Wikipedia: Gen IV 5.3 |
| Gen V changes | Direct injection, continuously variable valve timing, piston cooling jets and aluminum heads on every Gen V engineSource: Wikipedia: Generation V |
| Output | 270–295 hp for the LM7; 355–376 hp for the L83Source: Wikipedia: engine table |
Which 5.3 V8 do you have?
Gen III Vortec 5300 (1999–2007)
LM7 is the common iron-block truck engine; L59 is its flex-fuel version. The aluminum-block LM4 had a short production run, and the aluminum L33 "Vortec 5300 HO" went only into 4WD Silverado and Sierra 1500 trucks.
Source: Wikipedia: LM7, Wikipedia: L59, Hollander: 2003 Silverado 1500 5.3L optionsGen IV trucks and SUVs
LY5 (VIN J) replaced the LM7 in 2007; LMG (VIN 0) is its flex-fuel version. LH6 (VIN M) and LC9 (VIN 3) have aluminum blocks, and the LC9 is a flex-fuel engine found in 4WD models. GM added variable valve timing to the LC9 and LMG for 2010.
Source: Wikipedia: LY5, Wikipedia: LMG, Wikipedia: LH6, Wikipedia: LC9, Hollander: 2008 Silverado 1500 5.3L optionsAFM or non-AFM (Gen IV)
Every Gen IV 5.3 has Active Fuel Management (cylinder deactivation) except the LH8, LH9 and LMF. The LMF went into half-ton Express and Savana vans; the LH8 and LH9 went into the Colorado, Canyon and Hummer H3 Alpha.
Source: Wikipedia: Gen IV 5.3, Wikipedia: LMFLS4 (front-wheel drive cars)
A transverse 5.3 for front-wheel drive cars such as the Impala SS and Monte Carlo SS. Its bellhousing bolt pattern differs from the rear-wheel drive truck blocks.
Source: Wikipedia: LS4Gen V EcoTec3 (2014 on)
L83 (VIN C) from 2014; the L8B is an eAssist mild-hybrid version. From 2019 the L82 (Active Fuel Management, lower trims) and L84 (Dynamic Fuel Management, mid and upper trims) replaced it in the fourth-generation Silverado and the Sierra; the SUVs kept the L83 through 2020 and got the L84 from 2021. Few parts swap with Gen III/IV engines because the valve positions are flipped and the camshaft also drives a high-pressure fuel pump.
Source: Wikipedia: L83, Wikipedia: L8B, Wikipedia: L82/L84, Wikipedia: Generation V, Hollander: 2016 Silverado 1500 5.3L optionsCheck before you buy a used 5.3 V8
- Read the 8th digit of your VIN. It identifies the engine: J is an LY5, 0 an LMG, M an LH6, 3 or 7 an LC9 and C an L83. Hollander splits most 5.3s by engine code (the LM7 and L59 share one number).
- Match the generation. A 2014-or-later Gen V 5.3 shares few parts with Gen III and IV engines. Give the supplier your year and VIN.
- AFM or non-AFM? Most Gen IV 5.3s have Active Fuel Management, which uses different lifters and controls. Match what your vehicle was built with.
- Truck or car engine? The LS4 from front-wheel drive cars is built to mate with a front-wheel drive transaxle, and its bellhousing bolt pattern differs from the truck blocks.
- Get mileage, testing and warranty in writing. Ask for the donor vehicle's mileage, how the engine was tested, what is included, the warranty term and the freight cost to your ZIP before you pay.
Known 5.3 V8 wear points
- Wikipedia notes that some early LS-series engines had piston slap for the first few minutes after a cold start, until the pistons reached operating temperature. (Wikipedia: LS known issues)
- Wikipedia reports cracked cylinder heads on 2001–2006 5.3 engines. The suspect heads carry casting number 706, visible from the passenger side just ahead of the valve cover, though not every 706 head failed. (Wikipedia: LS known issues)
- Wikipedia reports failures of the special lifters on 2005–2016 Gen IV engines with Active Fuel Management; a lifter can stay in AFM mode and put the engine into limp-home mode. (Wikipedia: LS known issues)
- Jasper, an engine and transmission remanufacturer, lists these GM Gen III and Gen IV V8 problems its rebuild addresses: cracked heads leading to coolant loss, oil consumption from piston problems or valve guide wear, cold-start piston slap, Gen IV lifter noise, low oil pressure and broken exhaust manifold bolts. For the Gen V 5.3 it lists oil consumption from pistons and rings, main, rod and cam bearing wear, and head gasket failure. (Jasper Engines: GM V8 Gen III/IV)
Vehicles that used the 5.3 V8
- Chevrolet Silverado 15001999 onward
- GMC Sierra 15001999 onward
- Chevrolet Tahoe2000 onward
- GMC Yukon2000 onward
- Chevrolet Suburban 15002000 onward
- Chevrolet Avalanche 15002002–2013
- Cadillac Escalade 2WD2002–2005
- Chevrolet Express2003–2014
- GMC Savana2003–2014
- Chevrolet TrailBlazer2003–2009
- GMC Envoy2003–2009
- Chevrolet SSR2003–2004
- Chevrolet Impala SS2006–2009
- Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS2006–2007
- Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon2009–2012
See the sourced table (15 rows)
| Vehicle | Model years |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | 1999 onward |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 1999 onward |
| Chevrolet Tahoe | 2000 onward |
| GMC Yukon | 2000 onward |
| Chevrolet Suburban 1500 | 2000 onward |
| Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 | 2002–2013 |
| Cadillac Escalade 2WD | 2002–2005 |
| Chevrolet Express1500/2500 through 2007, 1500 only from 2008 | 2003–2014 |
| GMC Savana1500/2500 through 2007, 1500 only from 2008 | 2003–2014 |
| Chevrolet TrailBlazerEXT only before 2005 | 2003–2009 |
| GMC EnvoyXL, XUV and Denali versions, depending on year | 2003–2009 |
| Chevrolet SSR | 2003–2004 |
| Chevrolet Impala SSLS4, front-wheel drive | 2006–2009 |
| Chevrolet Monte Carlo SSLS4, front-wheel drive | 2006–2007 |
| Chevrolet Colorado / GMC Canyon | 2009–2012 |
Each row appears in both Wikipedia and the U.S. EPA vehicle records; where the two disagree on years, only the years both list are shown. Wikipedia also lists the 5.3 in the GMC Yukon XL, Pontiac Grand Prix GXP, Buick LaCrosse Super, Buick Rainier, Saab 9-7X, Isuzu Ascender and Hummer H3 Alpha, but those are not in the EPA list we hold, so they are left off this table. Within one model the engine code changes by year, so always confirm by VIN.
5.3 V8 questions
How much does a used 5.3 V8 engine cost?
Used-yard asking prices for a 5.3 V8 typically ran $654 to $5,335 on October 21, 2026. That range runs from the lowest version's 25th percentile to the highest version's 75th percentile, across 8 versions (774 priced listings). Remanufactured units were listed from $2,799 to $4,999 (17 offers). Prices vary by version, mileage and shipping, so the supplier quotes your exact part.
How do I tell which 5.3 my truck has?
Check the 8th digit of the VIN. On the 5.3, J is an LY5, 0 an LMG, M an LH6, 3 or 7 an LC9 and C an L83. Send the full VIN with your request and the supplier matches the exact engine.
Will a 2014-or-later 5.3 fit my older Silverado?
Check with the supplier first. The Gen V EcoTec3 5.3 has direct injection, flipped valve positions and a camshaft that also drives a high-pressure fuel pump, so few parts interchange with Gen III and IV engines.
Which 5.3 engines have Active Fuel Management?
Every Gen IV 5.3 except the LH8, LH9 and LMF. In Gen V the L83 and L82 use Active Fuel Management, and the L84 uses Dynamic Fuel Management instead.
Related engines and transmissions
Delivering to Texas? See Houston, Dallas, San Antonio or El Paso.