Carguyrob598

Kinda of a boring swap I know. I have an 01 silverado 2500hd lq4/4l60 that is getting a little tired. I use the truck for work and I'm thinking about putting a newer 5.3 in it. I am looking for some insight into any problems I would have putting a gen 4 5.3 in place of my gen 3 6.0. I have found some 5.3 6l80 combos with low miles that are very tempting. Would it be easier to do an engine and trans swap than just engine. I assume a newer 5.3 would bolt right up to my 4l60, I'm just unsure of how the computers for the trans and engine work together and what issues I would have there. I'd appreciate any input. Thanks!

Carguyrob598

Any thoughts? Mostly just need to know how much the engine ecm and trans talk to eachother? Also dumb stuff like if I switch to the 6l80 will my 4l60 column shifter work?

ls1nova71

iTrader: (4)

It won't be an easy swap. For starters the harness and PCM are different, so getting the gauges to work will be difficult. Would be easier to freshen up your 6.0, and it would have more power. Just my opinion though.

02ls1gun

Ls1nova71 is dead on

Carguyrob598

Thanks for your advice guys. I have thought about doing just that, I was just thinking about trying to get some more mpg with the 5.3 since I just bought a new lml for towing. Maybe sticking with the 6.0 is the way to go...

TrueBlueGTO

NO doubt an engine freshening is MUCH easier and probably cheaper, but a swap (so long as you have the right 58x and model year engine and trans control modules from the same vehicle) is really as easy as any other powertrain 'swap'.