But I heard from someone that works for a race team. GM made the 5.3 ltr engine thats in the Alpha for nascar use but it didnt meet up to standards or some crap so they ended up putting them in the alpha...anyone hear a similar story?

 

I hadn't heard anything like that, but the 5.3 has been in every half ton chev truck/suv since mid year '99. It wasn't made just for the alpha

 

The elementary school overview http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Vortec_engine#5300