Here's why:
* "5.3 liter" refers to the engine's displacement, which is the total volume of all cylinders.
* "V8" indicates the engine has eight cylinders arranged in a "V" shape.
* "Small-block" is a general term for engines with a smaller displacement, typically under 5.0 liters.
Therefore, a 5.3-liter engine is considered a small-block V8, although it falls on the larger end of the small-block size range.
