quote:

Originally posted by sigspecops:
What about a Lexus LS430 engine with a supercharger?

It’s still on my list.
Mama on the other hand has no desire for one.

I think she would appreciate reliability more than speed. A car breakdown is at least a serious inconvenience, at worst unsafe.

I would say you easily have another 100,000 miles to go before an engine swap.
I say this from experience with my 99 Silverado. I did regular oil changes on it; every 4000 miles.
I would worry more about the transmission lines, gas lines, break lines, power steering cooling lines and a radiator than the engine itself. All of these rotted away on mine.
My step daughter had the radiator fail which caused head problems. This and the body/frame rot rot made us junk it.

^^^^^^^^^^^
As noted a number of times you’re referencing the late 90s early 2000s 5.3L Vortec motors which were/are an absolute dream. Those trucks rotted but are mechanically sound. I am well aware I have a 2000 with 110k miles. I’ve done all the hard lines, brake components, and completely redone the rockers.
I have zero concern with that motor going 100k more miles even with the cold start tick.

These 5.3/6.2L Ecotecs are an absolute nightmare. The active fuel management has utterly destroyed the longevity of these motors and it’s a well documented fact.

I have been undercoating this Suburban since we bought it to not run into the rust issues I have with the 2000.

Ugggggg. No good options. Just keep fingers crossed this thing makes it a couple more years.

I watched a video on doing the DOD delete last night! What an absolute nightmare that job is. Then most of the time you get in there and the rollers and cams are damaged pretty good. Sure you are replacing them with a DOD delete but all those metal shaving have to go somewhere.

quote:

all those metal shaving have to go somewhere.

You're absolutely right about that. Barring major surgery to preemptively delete that crap, I'd drive it easy, never let it idle more than absolutely necessary, and be religious about oil changes every 3K. Keeping lubricant flowing over those parts, regularly flushing any particulate, and avoiding sludge is probably the best way to keep it alive.

The manufacturers have pretty much gotten away from long life stuff. They have to go 8yr/80k for emissions warranty, that's all they care about. They have very strict fuel milage issues to deal with, that has become a priority.
Very few car/truck owners are keeping up with how fast technology is changing.
The car/truck you had ten years ago is not built the same way as now, drive the new ones 8/80 then replace, that is the new plan. All the comonents are built only to last so long, in theory you're not going to have an engine last twice as long as the transmission in the new vehicles today.

As far as the original question/discussion in the OP, if you replace the engine/trans, you get another 100k miles (or more, with updated parts), but be ready to change a/c evaporator, heater core window switches and other things along the way. If you can do those things yourself keep what you have or invest in an older vehicle which is designed better for longevity.
It's a tough choice, even with AFM deleted. That newer Suburban will cost more to keep on the road than one 10yrs ago.