The 5.3 Liter V8 engine is identified as RPO LS4 VIN C.

A billet steel 1 piece camshaft is supported by 5 bearings pressed into the engine block. The camshaft timing sprocket is mounted to the front of the camshaft and is driven by the crankshaft sprocket through the camshaft timing chain. The camshaft position (CMP) sensor lobes are incorporated into the front face of the camshaft sprocket with the CMP sensor mounted in the engine front cover. A timing chain dampener is mounted to the front of the engine block above the crankshaft sprocket. The externally splined crankshaft sprocket is positioned to the crankshaft by a key and keyway. The crankshaft sprocket external splines drive the oil pump drive gear. A retaining plate mounted to the front of the engine block maintains camshaft location.

The crankshaft is cast nodular iron. The crankshaft is supported by 5 crankshaft bearings. The bearings are retained by crankshaft bearing caps which are machined with the engine block for proper alignment and clearance. The crankshaft journals are undercut and rolled. The center main journal is the thrust journal. A crankshaft position (CKP) reluctor ring is press fit mounted at the rear of the crankshaft. The reluctor ring is not serviceable separately.

The cylinder heads are cast aluminum and have pressed in place powdered metal valve guides and valve seats. Passages for the engine coolant air bleed system are at the front of each cylinder head. The valve rocker arm covers are retained to the cylinder heads by 4 center mounted rocker arm cover bolts.

The engine block is a cam-in-block deep skirt 90 degree V configuration with 5 crankshaft bearing caps. The engine block is cast aluminum. The 5 crankshaft bearing caps each have 4 vertical M10 and 2 horizontal M8 mounting bolts. The camshaft is supported by 5 camshaft bearings pressed into the block.

The exhaust manifolds are a 1 piece cast iron design. The exhaust manifolds direct exhaust gasses from the combustion chambers to the exhaust system. Each manifold also has an externally mounted heat shield that is retained by bolts.

The intake manifold is a 1 piece composite design that incorporates brass threaded inserts for mounting the fuel rail and throttle body. Each side of the intake manifold is sealed to the cylinder head by 8 non-reusable silicone sealing gaskets. The electronically actuated throttle body bolts to the front of the intake manifold. The throttle body is sealed by a 1 piece push in place silicone gasket. The fuel rail assembly, with 8 separate fuel injectors, is retained to the intake by 4 bolts. The injectors are seated into their individual manifold bores with O-ring seals to provide sealing. The manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor is installed and retained to the top of the intake manifold and sealed by an O-ring seal. The evaporative emission (EVAP) canister purge solenoid valve is retained to the manifold by a mounting bracket. There are no coolant passages within the intake manifold. The manifold is installed with the throttle body facing the rear of the engine.

The structural rear-sump oil pan is cast aluminum. Incorporated into the design is the oil filter mounting boss, the displacement on demand (DoD) oil pressure relief valve and the drain plug opening. Filtered oil is returned to the engine block through the oil filter to the engine block upper oil galleries. The press-fit oil pressure relief valve is located at the left rear of the oil pan and can be inspected by removing the oil pan cover. The alignment of the structural oil pan to the rear of the engine block and transmission bell housing is critical.

The pistons are cast aluminum. The pistons use 2 compression rings and 1 oil control ring assembly. The piston is a low friction, lightweight design with a flat or recessed top and barrel shaped skirt. The piston pins are chromium steel and are a full-floating design. The connecting rods are powdered metal. The connecting rods are fractured at the connecting rod journal and then machined for the proper clearance. All applications use a piston with a graphite coated skirt. The piston and pin are to be serviced as an assembly.

The valve rocker arm covers are cast aluminum and use a pre-molded silicon gasket for sealing. Mounted to each rocker cover are the coil and bracket assemblies. Incorporated into the left cover is the oil fill tube and the positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) fresh air passage. Incorporated into the right cover is the PCV system dirty air passage.

Motion is transmitted from the camshaft through the hydraulic roller valve lifters and tubular pushrods to the roller type rocker arms. The nylon valve lifter guides position and retain the valve lifters. The valve rocker arms for each bank of cylinders are mounted on pedestals or pivot supports. Each rocker arm is retained on the pivot support and cylinder head by a bolt. Valve lash is net build. Cylinders 1, 4, 6, and 7 are displacement on demand. Refer to Displacement on Demand (DoD) System Description .