Issue 36 • Engine & Transmission Tips

Renowned as GM’s best overall compact engine, and Fraser’s strongest remanufactured engine.

An introduction to the GM 5.3 Liter Engines that outfit most Chevrolet, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe, and Yukon vehicles (Generations 1, 2, 3, 4)

The GM V-8 engines are affordable, compact, and offer one of the best power-per-dollar ratings available, and have become the de facto answer to the question “What eight-cylinder engine should I swap into my pickup, restoration project, hot rod, or just ole reliable?”

Fraser Engine Co. remanufactures all four generations of engines. The appropriate engine for your vehicle may need to be determined by one of our seasoned sales associates.

The GM 5.3 liter engine history:

1. Gen 1 was produced from 1996 to 2006
2. Gen 2 was produced from 2007 to 2009
3. Gen 3 was produced from 2010 to 2014
4. Gen 4 was produced from 2015 to the Present (2021)

You can see their detailed information sheets here.

As with almost every US automaker, engines in production for many years present common performance problems and even failures. Michael Fraser, of the GM remanufacturing division shares details of the problems with each 5.3 and 5.4-liter engine, and how Fraser’s teams rebuild those engines with better parts and higher-performance specifications. For instance, “In the Gen-1 engines, the heads were prone to crack, so Fraser uses significantly better sealants than the original one.” Actually, a blend of OEM and after-market components are installed to provide the most durable solutions to address these known problems.

You can also listen to the entire Fraser Engine Co. 5.3L V8 Updates Podcasts here. (Scroll down the list to “5.3L V8 Updates”.)

Fraser offers several options for selecting your remanufactured engine. Below is the list of Fraser’s Gold Standard, High-Durability Crate Engine, the strongest 5.3L engine available. (It’s stronger than the factory OEM engine.)

Remanufacturing includes; Block, Heads, Gasket Set, Mellings, High Volume Oil Pump, Oil Pan, Timing Cover, Water Pump, Thermostat, Air Filter, Oil Filter, and Spark Plugs.

These High-Durability engines feature:

• Engine blocks that are magnafluxed.
• Cylinders bored and precision honed.
• Main saddles line honed to exacting OE specifications.
• Camshaft bearing line bored for an accurate center-to-center clearance.
• Engine blocks and cylinder heads precision surfaced to ensure proper sealing.
• Cylinder heads magnafluxed or dye checked and machined for three-angle valve seats.
• Crankshafts are stress-relieved, precision ground, and micro-polished for optimum durability and surface finish.
• Camshafts precision ground or replaced with new ones to maintain the OE profile.
• Each engine is SIM tested for compression, oil pressure, oil leaks, unusual engine noise, and general operation condition before shipment.

Note: Ask your Sales Associate if the engine you are purchasing will or will not ship with a finishing gasket set: (oil pan, valve cover, intake, etc).

The Gold Standard Crate Engine also includes a 5-Year, Unlimited Miles, No-Fault Warranty, with Parts & Labor. (PLUS: One-time free replacement no questions asked!)

FRASER FAST FACT: The term “LS Engine” is the given name for Gen-3 and Gen-4 small-block V-8 engines produced by General Motors from 2010 to now (2021). Some engines that do not have “LS” in their formal identification code are still referred to as LS engines.