89burb

Hi all, I am new here and am looking to swap either a 5.3 or a 6.0 into a Suburban. Just not sure which would be better for my application. Hoping ya'll can help me make up my mind so I can start shopping. I am looking to make this a daily driver, with occaissional towing of a 5K pound camper trailer. I would like to at least get the same mileage as the old 350/700 combo of about 15-17. So with that which would be the best option. I know the 6.0 would be fine but wonder if the 5.3 would be strong enough for the heavy Burb. Thanks!

hpmotorsports

iTrader: (5)

the 5.3 will work, but the 6.0 would give you more torque, price difference between a scrapyard 5.3 to 6.0 is about a $1000,

89burb

I just looked on the Chevy sales site to get the mileage for each on the new burbs. Think it would be close on the older boxier burbs?

hpmotorsports

iTrader: (5)

yeah mileage should be close, they are great engines

9540x

5.3 would be adequate, but the question you gotta ask yourself is if you're willing to settle for "adequate". With the intent of pulling a trailer, I'd recomend hands down the 6.0. They make a ton of torque, they're incredibly strong (like all LSx based engines are), and should give you about 18-25 mpg with the 4l80e and some decent street gears. Sure the 5.3s are dirt cheap and make good power (i'm using one for my swap into my 3rd gen firebird as a matter of fact), but for a big truck like the 89 suburban I think the LQ9 will suit your needs much better. I think you'll be pleased with yourself later on if you shell out the extra cash now.

jeepinpete

If your like me, an extra $1000 is not meaningless. A 5.3l is going to have quite a bit more power than your 350. And it will return better mileage than the 6.0l. If you are towing a lot (50% of the time), then I would consider the 6.0l. Otherwise, the 5.3 will get the job done...

9540x

IMHO I think that you should save until you can get what you really want. Even if it means that you can't start the swap until 6 months from now. There's lots of preliminary work to be done before the engine goes in such tracking down or making your own engine mounts, transmission cross member, new driveshaft, perhaps better rear end and gears, etc. They're all serious concerns and have to be done eventually so you might as well do it while your saving up for the engine. But, that being said, if you want the 5.3 than go for the 5.3. Also, the MPG difference between the 5.3 and the 6.0 isn't that significant. I think that the 5.3 gets an average of 25-28 with a T56. the 6.0 will probably get about 22-24 with a 4l80e depending on your driving style