305 HO Engine vs. 235 hp engine

[frank1]

I'am currently looking at a 2003 quad cab with an eight foot bed and four wheel drive, automatic and 3:54 gears with 95,000 miles on it. . The truck has the 235 hp. engine, was originally sold in Connecuit and now offered for sale in New York state. I thought that all trucks with the 235 engine where sold in California? Due to emmission standards. Anyway, what are the differneces in the two engines? If I do decide to buy the truck can I add the 70hp? or leave it alone? Thanks, Frank

 

[AH64ID]

I think there were up to 5 states that used the "Cali" edition. Either way the Cali SO and So are the same motor, the HO's only difference is the piston cooling jets are a little different. The trans could be a 47RE, or a 48RE. Also the Cali version has a cat.



The Smarty series of tuners will bring it to the HO standards, so if you just want a small bump in power get a Smarty Jr and set in on SW1, it will have HO fueling with Smarty timing.



Lastly, the truck probably has 3. 73's in it, 3. 54's are not a 3rd gen option.

 

[rscurtis]

The 235 engine was a 5-state engine as AH pointed out. It was used for the Jan. 1 2004 - Dec. 31 2004 California emission trucks. It probably has the 48 transmission, as the last 47's were used up in '03 on the 250 HP engines. It also had the same cat as a 12 valve engine.

 

[cerberusiam]

CARB certified trucks could be and were sold anywhere, the designation was not specific to just California. There were other states that adopted the CARB standards and required vehicles to meet those emissions, in other states the delaers ordered thwm or customers ordered them that way.



The SO's, including the 235 engines, were minus some of the upgrades in piston design and cooling, valves, and valve sets but were 90% the same as the HO. A mild tune will make it as powerful as an HO.



The only caveat on the early SO's wer ethey would not the timing and fueling the HO's would. If your not pushing the limits its not an issue.

 

[mgonske]

For non-CA influenced states, early '03s were not available with the HO (305 HP) and the auto (47RE)--if you wanted the HO, you had to get a 6-speed. For 03. 5, with the introduction of the 48RE, 305 HP became the standard and the "HO" label was dropped (until this year).

 

[scootergmc]

The 235 engine was a 5-state engine as AH pointed out. It was used for the Jan. 1 2004 - Dec. 31 2004 California emission trucks. It probably has the 48 transmission, as the last 47's were used up in '03 on the 250 HP engines. It also had the same cat as a 12 valve engine.

Everything built after 1/1/04 was a HO 325/600, including California. The 235 HP engines were built before the 1/1/04 emissions changeover. I have a 2/04 build date 325/600. My buddy had a pre 1/1/04 build date 2004 model year 235 HP truck.

 

[rscurtis]

You are correct on your dates. The 235 engine was very short lived, perhaps it was the 5-state engine used in later '03 trucks before the 600 solved the 5 state problem.

 

[cerberusiam]

The 235 engine was very short lived, perhaps it was the 5-state engine used in later '03 trucks before the 600 solved the 5 state problem.

The 03 trucks never had a 600 engine, only a 555 HO which was not CARB compliant. The 235 engine was the only solution for the states that mandated all vehicles sold must meet CARB standards. The 04. 5 600 was 50 state certified when they added the CAT, EGR, and programming to get it certified.

 

[AH64ID]

You are correct on your dates. The 235 engine was very short lived, perhaps it was the 5-state engine used in later '03 trucks before the 600 solved the 5 state problem.

It wasn't any more short-lived than the 250/460 and 305/555 motors. All of MY03 and half of MY04.

 

[cerberusiam]

It wasn't any more short-lived than the 250/460 and 305/555 motors. All of MY03 and half of MY04.

Actually, the 305/555 was the shortest-lived version because it wasn't available until late in the first half of 03. The SO in both configurations was available from 03 to 04. 5.

 

[rscurtis]

My signature truck was assembled in February of '03. At that time, the 250 engine was also available. Later that year, when the 235 engine was available, it was the only one available in a NY truck.

 

[frank1]

guys thanks for clearing up the issue regarding that the 235 engine was not soley used in Cali. I did get the build date of this 03' I'am intreseted in, it was in April of 03' and bought in Nov. of 03'. Also, I have the vin# 3D7KU28643G820508. The seller has not gotten back to me regarding which trans. the truck has. Maybe, someone out in the TDR can look up the vin. number and let me know, and also what options the truck has.

Planning on taking the trip up to Syracus, NY this weekend to look at and test drive the truck, just would like to get some of these questions answered. Frank

 

[cerberusiam]

My signature truck was assembled in February of '03. At that time, the 250 engine was also available. Later that year, when the 235 engine was available, it was the only one available in a NY truck.

Your truck is a late 03. The 250 and 235 had already been available for 7 months and would be for another 10. The 235 was availabe in all 50 states, the 250 only 45 or so.

I did get the build date of this 03' I'am intreseted in, it was in April of 03' and bought in Nov. of 03'.

Look in the glove box and see if the gear ratios are listed. If not it was 3. 73 from the factory.



Transmission: 48RE



Front diff: AAM 9. 25



Rear diff: AAM 11. 5 (drop the cover to verify limited slip)



T-case: NP271HD manual shift or NP273HD electric shift





With that info and the engine CPL you can fix anything on it.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Actually, the 305/555 was the shortest-lived version because it wasn't available until late in the first half of 03. The SO in both configurations was available from 03 to 04. 5.

The 305 was available from the beginning of the third gens. Mine was built 09/02. Problem was you couldn't get it with anything but the manual 6 speed until later in 03.

 

[cerberusiam]

The 305 was available from the beginning of the third gens. Mine was built 09/02. Problem was you couldn't get it with anything but the manual 6 speed until later in 03.

MY 03 build started in July 02. I know at least the firts 2 months the HO was not available and not sure when it was in numbers, October I believe was when they were easy to get.



Jan 03 then you could get the HO with the auto becuase the 48RE was available.

 

[ktb]

got my 03 in dec. of 2002 an its a 305 555

 

[ACerf]

guys thanks for clearing up the issue regarding that the 235 engine was not soley used in Cali. I did get the build date of this 03' I'am intreseted in, it was in April of 03' and bought in Nov. of 03'. Also, I have the vin# 3D7KU28643G820508. The seller has not gotten back to me regarding which trans. the truck has. Maybe, someone out in the TDR can look up the vin. number and let me know, and also what options the truck has.

Planning on taking the trip up to Syracus, NY this weekend to look at and test drive the truck, just would like to get some of these questions answered. Frank

I have an 03' that was produced that was after 1 Jan 03. It has the 235 engine (Calif) with the 48RE tanny (look in glove box for truck specs). I have added; AFE air filter, 4" exhaust, Edge EZ tow (60hp/120Tq), Mag-Hytec trans pan and dif cover. I would have liked to get the HO but I could not wait that long for it to come out. And I wasn't sure when that was. And I got a smokin' deal on the truck!

 

[JJPage]

vin# 3D7KU28643G820508.

Your truck is a late 03. The 250 and 235 had already been available for 7 months and would be for another 10. The 235 was availabe in all 50 states, the 250 only 45 or so.







Look in the glove box and see if the gear ratios are listed. If not it was 3. 73 from the factory.



Transmission: 48RE



Front diff: AAM 9. 25



Rear diff: AAM 11. 5 (drop the cover to verify limited slip)



T-case: NP271HD manual shift or NP273HD electric shift





With that info and the engine CPL you can fix anything on it.

The eighth digit of the VIN indicates trans model, "C" identifies a 48RE, his eighth digit is a "6"

 

[Shadrach]

got my 03 in dec. of 2002 an its a 305 555

I assume it is a 6 speed then ? My engine was built 11 Nov 2002 Shadrach

 

[cerberusiam]

I'am currently looking at a 2003 quad cab with an eight foot bed and four wheel drive, automatic and 3:54 gears with 95,000 miles on it

The eighth digit of the VIN indicates trans model, "C" identifies a 48RE, his eighth digit is a "6"

Well, you tell me whats more reliable. Shifter on the steering column or the eight digit? :-laf :-laf