5.3 to 6.0 swap in Tahoe

[DOUG]

Thanks guys.  All great suggestions if that's what you want, but not for me. 

Only options for me are:

- 4L60E replacement immediately .  and 5.3 or 6.0 later.
- 5.3 and 4L60E replacement now
- 6.0 and 4L60E replacement now
All are 3 year/100k warranty

I've had it 10 years and it is immaculate.  Worth nothing trading.  289,000 miles.  Original everything.  New Michelins, etc.  Trans is done, so a repair is required.  Motor is weak, and letting out a puff on start occasionally.  Worth more to me than anyone else by far.

It's a family vehicle, may never tow, transports wife and/or teenage girls.  I could buy a new 2500 or truck or tow pig, but they aren't my style for a DD.  Prefer comfort, quiet, seating, back inside storage of the SUV.

We have a 4x4 surburban as well. 

I'd have a duraburb if I thought I could justify the cost.

[Jeepster1407]

Does it have the 5.3 or 4.8 in it now?

[tcdawg]

Thanks guys.  All great suggestions if that's what you want, but not for me. 



I'd have a duraburb if I thought I could justify the cost.

you and me both!

[DOUG]

Does it have the 5.3 or 4.8 in it now?

5.3 to 6.0 conversion

[Jeepster1407]

well now I feel like an idiot lol. I just looked at the thread title...

[kvom]

Can you get an engine with that warranty other than as a crate engine?  If not, then the engine won't come with accessories, so the cost will be significant just for the engine both in parts and labor.

If you go with a "raw takeout", which is what the guy Tim uses, you get a complete engine and its mated transmission and ECM.  He warranties it to run, and the entire assembly delivered will range from $2500 for a modest 5.3 to a lot more for an aluminum block Corvette engine.  Lots less to go wrong in my view.  The only ECM work, AFAIK, is to put your vehicles VIN into the ECM memory.  Obviously the engines that go into offroad  swaps get a lot more work done on the harness and ECM.

That said, 5.3 engines are for the most part damn reliable.  In your shoes I'd just rebuild the transmission and have the engine tested. 

[Jeepster1407]

Just curious but what makes a stock 6.0 more appealing building your current 5.3. It would seem most engine builders would give you a warranty on your rebuild motor. even if you upgraded it significantly while you were at it. Would it be less expensive or no?

[DOUG]

Just curious but what makes a stock 6.0 more appealing building your current 5.3. It would seem most engine builders would give you a warranty on your rebuild motor. even if you upgraded it significantly while you were at it. Would it be less expensive or no?

Everyone that has done the 6.0 swap RAVES about it.  Same milage with a lot more power and it's a low cost swap comparatively to many others as you use same harness, ECM, everything bolts on, etc. 

I'm looking at a WARRANTY build, national reputable service on motor and trans.  3 years/100k. Different arena than a custom built shop motor. A custom build is completely different, by a single shop guy or a speed shop, or custom builds/tunes.     

[Jeepster1407]

Gotcha. In stock form is the 6.0 a huge hp & torque improvement or are you planning on adding performance modifications? I know my father-in-law has one in his 03 2500HD but he only gets about 9-11 mpg depending on city or hey mileage. Sorry for all the questions I'm just super interested as I have a 03 z71 in beautiful condition but it has 205,000 miles on it and the original 5.3/4L60E so I could possibly see doing if either ever went out on me.

[DOUG]

Yeah,  stock,  just Google it and you will find a lot of folks have done it and love it.   

I'm leaning 5.3.
Wife will drive it most of the time and
I can sleep in the suburban on jeep trips if I tow so am leaning away from the 6.0. 
Cost is a factor as they won't give me core credit for the 6.0 and I have to have it programmed so the cost is considerably more. 30% more.

[Mortalis5509]

A tune is around $300 for a non dyno. Externally the 5.3 and 6.0 are the same. Could get a long block 6.0 and swap all accessories over from the 5.3. Sale the 5.3 and not be that bad off on the engine, trans different.

[gint2]

You could also stay with the 5.3 and just mod it for some better breathing, headers, intake, cam upgrade. Still be as reliable as today with a bit more get up and go. 

I can't imagine the 6.0 gets the same mileage. I had the 6.0 in my 02 1500HD 4x4 Crew and on a really good day with a tail wind down hill I got 11. Normally it was 9-10 and it didn't change towing or empty. Thus is why I now have a Jeep and traded in the pig.