BlackSS/SC

I have a 01 5.3l/4l60e in a 99 Grand Cherokee with 38.5" tires & 4.56 gears. The engine has just developed a rod knock. The guy I bought it from will give me another engine for free. I was thinking I might sell the one he gives me and get a 6.0l. Or maybe cam the 5.3l

I daily drive this thing so I want to keep driveability good with nice low RPM power. With the stock 5.3l from a dead stop, mash the pedal and it's gutless until it gets moving. I know I can't expect too much with my tires and gearing.

So would I be better off camming a stock 5.3l or dropping in a stock 6.0l. If I sell the 5.3l I'll have to cough up $500-600 extra for the 6.0l

Thanks for the advice.

02*C5

iTrader: (1)

My vote is for the 6.0. There is way more potential with the bigger cubes than with the 5.3. I don't know what your future plans are but if I was in your shoes I'd do the 6.0.

Good luck keep us posted.

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

Those 38.5" tires are defintely making it gutless! Even with a low ratio like you have. There probably isnt going to be a real giant difference in the 5.3 and 6.0 as far as your application goes, but anything is an improvement over the 4.0 that you had originally. Next thing on your plate will have to be swapping out that 4L60.

BlackSS/SC

Thanks guys

I have thought more and figured I'm going to cam the new 5.3l. It's got 150,000km on it, should I re-ring and bearing it too? Trying to keep this as cheap as possible.

Can you guys recommend a good cam? I mostly drive in town, to work and back (5km each way), low speed. I run trails and crazy stuff. Want LOW rpm power and as good of fuel mileage I can get for what it is. Believe it or not, the 5.3 now with the 38.5s is better on fuel than the 4.0 with 36s

orangeapeel

iTrader: (18)

Whoa! I thought you said new!? By the time you would have pulled all that apart and paid for whatever machining/installation it would put you closer to owning a 6.0l. Thats just my thought. For as far as I know you have the tools to do this for free in your garage.

Its hard to say on cam, I would think a 220ish would be about as much as you are going to want to go. Maybe even an LS6 cam would be a good recommendation. I would also check over on Performance Trucks (link at top of page) and see what they recommend for a big tire/gear cam. You definitely need all the low end you can get for off-road.

Welcome to the efficiency that is the LS platform!