496rat

Hi Im getting ready to do a swap into a Malibu Wagon. and wanted to know what years for the 5.3 to look for and also 6.0 too. also what kind of milage has everyone been seeing in stock form from a 5.3 or 6.0 with a 4l60e.

Heres a couple pics of my current rides. I hope to learn alot from this swap and have been using the search feature to answer some questions. I also have been on maliburacing.com to gain some knowledge. thanks, Kevin





http://www.fototime.com/44602C910246DE7/orig.jpg

jgonzales

Welcome! Tons of helpful info can be found here:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/new-ls1-owners-newbie-tech/213148-jrp-s-faq-commonly-asked-questions.html

https://ls1tech.com/forums/showpost....82&postcount=4

nobreaks254

iTrader: (50)

I didnt reak the links but if you are concerned about mileage, get the 5.3. But do have a 6.0 for sale.

9540x

I'd try to look for a 5.3 (LM7) from 2002 on up.
The LM7 started its production life in 1999 and can be found in:

2002-2005 Cadillac Escalade 2WD
2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche
2003-present Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana
1999-2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
1999-2007 GMC Sierra 1500
1999-2006 Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Yukon XL
1999-2006 Chevrolet Tahoe/GMC Yukon


If you can manage to get a hold of an LM4, it is the all aluminum version of the LM7. It was available in the following vehicles:

2004 Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT
2004 GMC Envoy XL
2004 Chevrolet SSR

This, however, is not to be confused with the L33 which was an aluminum block version of the LM7, and was referred to as the Vortec 5300 HO in marketing materials. Horsepower increased by 15, to 310, over the LM7, and torque was unchanged. It was only available on extended cab 4WD pickup trucks.

2005-2007 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4WD
2005-2007 GMC Sierra 1500 4WD

I'm currently working on dropping in a LM7 in my '88 T/A.

brentg454

iTrader: (7)

5.3's are super plentiful, and usually significantly cheaper than 6.0's. That being said, keep your eyes open on this board as well as performancetrucks.net (sister site to this one), and you might find a sweet deal on either one.

Oh, and on the 6.0's, the early ones used iron heads instead of aluminum. They switched to aluminum (317 casting) in '01 or '02 I believe, so look for anything newer than those (although it isn't difficult to locate some aluminum '317' heads and swap them out yourself).

Bump for a nice 'Bu! Love those G-Bodies (From a former Monte SS owner).

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

5.3's can be aquired for pretty cheap, and put out some good power. The 6.0l has many, many more possibilities and there is a big difference in power.

Bo185

Just make sure it's a 5.3L and not a 4.8L.

9540x

It depends on your goals. A 6.0 can pull out 450HP with a few minor external upgrades and 500HP is well within its reach. The 5.3 is a good base engine if you plan on boosting because of its 9:1 compression ratio. N/A 5.3s are good for DD vehicles that you just want to add a little bit more umph to.


Additionally, 5.3s can be bored out to accept the LS1 (5.7) pistons giving you an iron-block 5.7 which you can then upgrade to forged cranks and rods giving you a great little setup for high PSI SC or turbo applications.
This can be done with a 4.8 engine to since it uses the 5.3 bore with a different crank.

I think all LSX engines arer great engines, one just needs to assess what their particular needs are and go from there.

jeepinpete

9540x said it the best, IMO. I put a 5.3 in my Jeep. Its a '99, rated at what, 285 hp or so? Thats a 120hp increase over the AMC360 that was in there. I'm not looking for an insanely fast 4X4, just a much more reliable, and more economical Jeep. If you are looking for N/A power, then any of the 6.0/6.2 variants are the way to go.

nobreaks254

iTrader: (50)

I dont think it matters what heads came on the 6.0. You have to change them anyhow to get the compression up. That is only if you are looking to make more power.

496rat

im not looking to make big power. but it seems to me that if a stock 6.0 gets the same milage as a 5.3 to go with the larger motor. anybody have some gas milage qoutes?

Scooter70

iTrader: (1)

Expect at least a few mpg drop with the 6.0. I have a 5.3 Silverado and get ~16mpg daily driving. My father had a 6.0 Sierra and consistently got 13-14mpg. When he traded that truck in, he bought a 5.3 and now he's getting about 18 (though he drives like an old man).

G-Body

iTrader: (4)

oh well its the price to pay for more power

496rat

but thats in a 5000lb truck. I would think dropping it into a G-body will not only make it lighter but also a little more Aerodynamic. what im shooting for is something that gets 20 mpg in town and a little better on the highway. I drive 30 min each way to work and would like to be able get decent mpg.

Scooter70

iTrader: (1)

Right. I was just referencing your post that said:
My point was that stock for stock, there's a few mpg difference. I don't think that you'll get 20 around town with a 6.0 and an automatic.

As another reference, my daily driver 6-speed GTO (6.0L LS2) averages 18mpg on my half highway, half surface streets commute.

9540x

I don't think it's unreasonable to expect 20MPG from a 6.0 if driven conservatively. The GTO also has a curb weight of 3725-lb which is roughly (depending on model) 325-lbs more than a G-body. If you don't use the A/C at all (which I don't in any car) or very little then that should also bump up gas mileage slightly. As hard as it may be in any LSX car, you can always just keep your foot out of it.
My vote is still for a turbo 5.3, but I'm particularly partial to turbos.