Is there any aftermarket for this engine? I know the 5.3 is more desirable, but the 4.8 isn't anything to turn your nose at. I have one in my '07 Savanah in the 305 hp guise. Even with a van full of cable crap, it still gets up and moves.
Now I don't want to modify my van, but this engine would probably work well in an older car since it's only 290 ci. I just don't know if there are aftermarket parts for this engine.
Also, This is the same block as the rest of the Gen IV LS engines, so can a manual bolt up to the 4.8?
As long as you can fit something into the same-sized 5.3 bore.......
Yes to the manual. It's a GM corporate engine. Nearly everything external is the same.
Vigo
Dork
7/27/11 10:10 p.m.
there was a link in another thread in the last day or two of one that Hot Rod made 1200 hp with on a stock shortblock (other than opening ring gaps).
it's just an LS engine thath as a really small bore and a really small stroke..
Hot Rod magazine made 1200hp with a (somewhat) stock 4.8 with a pair of chicom turbos and 20+ pounds of boost..
They were available factory with manuals in silverados around 03 or so.
How much smaller is the bore and stroke then a 5.3?
I am also interested in these little motors.
I just thought that this would be a great replacement engine for something like my old Chevelle with a 195 hp 283 without getting crazy. Something reliable with modern fuel injection and has 300 hp without doing anything.
In reply to BoostedBrandon:
According to Wiki:
4.8L - 96 mm bore, 83 mm stroke
5.3L - 96 mm bore, 92 mm stroke
In reply to SyntheticBlinkerFluid:
I think this would be perfect for the Chevelle. Better MPG, HUEG aftermarket, and a better design all around.
In reply to AquaHusky:
Yeah I wish I still had it. 
Interesting tidbit I found browsing the net:
I have done some digging on the 4.8L and what I have come up with is that it has TONS of potential. The stock heads flow just enough air to give you 450hp. Need I remind any of you that TBI heads suck balls? In STOCK longblock form you can make a 4.8L do very good things. The cool thing about the 4.8L is that its the same block as a 5.3L (dimentionally) the only diff. is that the 4.8L has a shorter stroke...thats it. Now, you ready for the cool part?
The 4.8L has a rod ratio of 1.92. And it sports 12 degrees of piston dwell time. Meaning? The engine will respond better to boost than a 5.3 or 6.0 or ANY other LS series engine. So IF you were able to get a new Intake/Cam and bolt a turbo up to this Iron block Aluminum headed V8. You honestly would have more hp than your TBI could ever dream of making. And hell, you dont even need a turbo to begin with. But if it was my swap I would take advantage of the dwell by installing a new cam at least. On LS engines its supposed to be very easy.
I was told about 6 months ago on this forum that you can make a 4.8L spin to 8k rpm quite easily. It gave me baddddddddd ideas about a ridiculous Volvo 242 with a 4.8L swapped into it, T56 tranny, and something stupid like 5.10's in the rear BECAUSE MA FUGGIN RACE CAR! 
Screw you for that tidbit of LS knowledge, now I must shop, dammit.
In all seriousness, thanks for that info, that's exactly the kind of info I was looking for. Looks like I'll be going smaller with my engine after all.
And they are CHEAP!!! Complete engine with wiring, ECU, accessories . . . < 5 bills . . .
From past threads:
Everything you can do to a 5.3 you can do to 4.8, just with less torque. The newer 4.8 has the 243/799 heads that bumps power from 285hp to 305hp.
Want some high RPM thunder?
- Milled 243/799 heads (can't remember how much)
- Texas Speed Torquer V2
- PAC 1518 Beehive or PRC Dual Valve Springs
- ARP or Katech Rod Bolts
- Tune
This cam with the heads + upped compression should make hp up to 7000 rpm and redline around 7500 rpm (according to the peeps at Texas Speed)
alex
SuperDork
7/28/11 6:10 a.m.
Oh man. I think you guys just figured out what's going into my '88 pickup when the stock 305 finally gives up.
What's the alphanumeric code for this engine?
In reply to alex:
Per Wikipedia;
The Vortec 4800 LY2 is a Generation IV small block V8 truck engine. Like its LR4 predecessor, it gets its displacement from a 96.01 mm bore and 83 mm stroke. The smallest member of the Generation IV engine family, it is unique in that it is the only member of that family that use in trucks that does not feature either variable valve timing (until 2010) or Active Fuel Management.
Hmmmmm. Dirt cheap 4.8 plus L33 aluminum block (It's the 5.3 HO so it has the same bore) should equal lightweight, high rpm, smile factory.
alex wrote:
Oh man. I think you guys just figured out what's going into my '88 pickup when the stock 305 finally gives up.
What's the alphanumeric code for this engine?
That's exactly what I was thinking too! Maybe even sooner.
So this should bolt up to a 700r4, right? What about connecting the TV cable?
Honestly, if you use the harness and ECM, I'd see if you can get one mated to the 4L80E that came with a lot of them.
A 4L60E would be behind a 4.8L and 5.3L. 4L80E was only used in 3/4 ton and up trucks. Plus the 4L80E is a big, heavy transmission.
700r4 . . . 1 bolt isn't used and you have to use a crank spacer and longer bolts.
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids/1378807-ls1-700r4-torque-converter-help.html
http://www.tvmadeez.com/ls1_cam/
http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/index.shtml
In reply to 81cpcamaro:
The 4L80E was an optional trans for the 4.8L and 5.3L in the 2500 series trucks and vans. My workvan has it.
The RPO of my van:
LR4 ENGINE GAS, 8 CYL, 4.8L, MFI 4.8V(LR4)
9,600
MT1 TRANSMISSION,AUTO,4-SPD,THM-R2(4L80-E) 4-SPD A/TRANS(MT1)
This thread makes me happy.
I can vouch that the LS series motors will spin north of 7K without too much trouble. I've known a race team to spin them to 8500 but they blew after an hour of racing at those rpm's. Those were iron block 6.0 motors.
This one, with the shorter stroke, should spin to 7k for it's life span without issue.
