I would like to swap the 6.0 for the 5.3
#1
I would like to swap the 6.0 for the 5.3
I have a 2002 suburban 2500 2wd with the 6.0, and quite a few 5.3 1500's sitting around. Everything runs great. But the 6.0 is a gas guzzler and on its last leg. I don't really want to rebuild the 6.0. I love the mileage I get from my flex 5.3. On the highway it gets the same milea free my Cobalt does. Problem is the 4l60's in the 5.3 are complete garbage. I'm wondering if I can swap the 6.0 for the 5.3 flex, and still keep the 4l80 and heavier axles and suspension in the 2500. And if I can swap it, what all needs to go with the motor? I assume I need to keep the computer with the motor because that's what tells the motor to kill half the motor at highway speeds. But what else will I need to keep/swap out? The 6.0 has oil everywhere at only 200k miles. Yet two of my four 5.3's have over 300k, with not a drop of oil on the outside of the motor. As a matter of fact, my 01 5.3 2wd has 380k on it, and is the quietest and most powerful/responsive engine I have. It is not a flex tho, it's fuel mileage is about half what the flex gets. I get 28mpg out of the flex on the highway. No bullshit.
Last edited by Jacob Benson; 03-21-2017 at 05:39 AM. Reason: Added info
#2
TECH Addict
The 5.3 will swap right over. Of course you will have to have it tuned. I hope you don't get your hopes up because the 5.3 with that 2500 drivetrain will have less power than the 6.0.
You might do a little better mpg but i doubt it. The 2500 are also heavier than the 1500's and the drivetrain robs more power than the 1500 drivetrain. The 2500 is probably 2500-3000 lbs heavier than you 01 2wd 5.3.
Swap wise it is really simple since the blocks are the same size and everything will bolt right up.
You might do a little better mpg but i doubt it. The 2500 are also heavier than the 1500's and the drivetrain robs more power than the 1500 drivetrain. The 2500 is probably 2500-3000 lbs heavier than you 01 2wd 5.3.
Swap wise it is really simple since the blocks are the same size and everything will bolt right up.
#3
Thank you for that info. I also found a 95 3500 crew can pickup with a 454. Price is pretty steep on the truck but the 454 would definitely work better for me than the 350. I would much rather have a diesel. I havent pulled the trigger yet on anything. I just know that the transmission in the 5.3 will not take too much Camper or car trailer hauling.
#4
Update on the 2500 suburban
Ok so I just realized that the 350 is a 5.7L. So I did a little research on my sub. And found that the 6.0L vortec in it is actually a 364 ci. Never heard of this ci before so I assumed it was 350. Question is, this should still be a small block, will the transmissions still swap with the 350 and 325/323?