My boy is ready to drive and I have found a 1999 2wd plain jane silverado than needs a little TLC for 2500 bucks. I am fermilure with the 5.3 and the old 350 but I don't know anything about the little 4.8/293. Any problems or negatives associated with this motor? What kind of real world gas milage are you getting?

Wouldn't a '99 be the 4.3 Vortec? If so, it's a stout little engine with a great reputation. I had one in a '99 Blazer and it was great.

The 4.8 was the smaller of the v8s offered that year (the 4.3 was a v6). The 4.8 is basically identical to the 5.3 except it has a shorter stroke. Don't know that I've heard anything bad about them except they don't have the power the 5.3 does.

Good he don't need to much power.

My dad had a 02 with the 4.3 and I had a 98 with it also. Very good service indeed.

He should be fine with a 4x2 4.8, regular cab limits the number of passengers if that is important to you.

But don't underestimate the 4.8

http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/hrdp-1109-stock-gm-ls-engine-big-bang-theory/

Thanks, didn't know they offered the 4.8 back then. I've never heard much bad about it. I know it's not a powerhouse, which is perfect for what you need. If it's as good as the 5.3 it will be a good choice.

Your reading my mind! Your obviously a dad too. I wanted a single cab so he couldnt haul six passengers. The V8 was also intentional. He won't be running the roads much cause he will have to spend his own money on gas,,, he he he... Plus when he gets older if he still has the truck he can drop a 6.0 in it and make himself a little rot rod to drive around on the weekends.

Edited to add,,, Wow I went back and read the link you posted. I'm not gonna let him read that! He already mentioned a turbo. SHAKING MY HEAD, he is definitely my boy.

My wife has an 06 Silverado with the 4.8 in it that has over 200,000 miles on it. It has been a great truck. I have been a long time Ford guy but I must admit her Chevy had been a very reliable truck.

i try to buy 5.3's but got an old truck from friend that frame rotted and his 4.8 with 280k was running strong and still sounds good

I did some research and the 4.8/293 c.i. is a 5.3/325 c.i. with a shorter stroke. Different crank and maybe rods. Same bore dia. too. They didn't offer the 5.3 in a 2wd standard cab. Silly since the millage is no better for the 4.8 than the 5.3 liter.

I took a 4.8 from 200k to 300k miles in a work truck. It made less power than my personal truck with the 5.3, and got the same mpg in a lighter truck. It was a very dependable motor though. When I got rid of it it still ran strong, but the rest of the truck was falling apart bad.

Dad had an 02 ext cab with the 4.8 in it. I don't remember an issue, he replaced it with an 06 5.3. Mileage gain from the smaller motor is small.

my 2000 silverado's 4.8 seems like its been the better engine( more power ,better gas miles than my other 2 5.3s were??5.3s are 2004 models.

My wife had a short wheel base 4WD Chevy P/U with the 4.8 engine and the automatic transmission with the tow/haul mode. She got a pretty consistent 24 mpg on the highway, and she has a pretty heavy foot. We traded it with about 150K hard miles on it, not because anything was wrong with it--she just thought that it was going to cost us some serious money after six years and all those miles.

I bought a 2003 model brand new and drove it just shy of 10 years. 2wd extended cab.
Aside from the valve train getting loud on cool mornings around 100k, it was a pretty good engine. When it comes to pulling anything, it left a lot to be desired.
The best mileage I ever recall seeing was 21 MPG on an all interstate trip. It was good for around 17-18 with typical driving.

I've had an 05 standard cab 4.8 since it was new. Its never given me any problems. Towing isn't its forte. Mileage for me runs about 20.

Good the hear they are very reliable.

I've had two. One in a 4WD extended cab with a 4:11 rear end, would pull anything I wanted with no problems but gas mileage wasn't the best. It went to 140K without problems. Current truck is a 2WD shorty, mileage is about 22 MPG in mixed driving. Only has 85K on it, again without any problems. Good engines, I wouldn't hesitate getting another.

Tmitch, is your new one one of the engines that go to 4 cylinder?

No, it's an '07 and stays at 8.

Hummmmmm, thats good mileage for a 8 cylinder. My 5.3 won't get that and it has the 4 cylinder switch thingy on it. But its 4wd and a extra cab more drag and heavier.

Mine also has a 3:23 ratio rear end.