I have been trying to search and read as much as possible, but I don't have a good idea of the differences between the 5.3 and 6.0 out of truck. I am going to put this into a 1970 Chevy P/U. The 6.0's are pretty expensive from the boneyards and the 5.3's are in my price range. Can I buy the 5.3 and make enough mod's to get in the 400-500 hp territory or do I really need the 6.0? How upgradable is the 5.3 vs. 6.0? Anyone's help and suggestions is greatly appreciated, especially if you answer ?'s I didn't think to ask.

Side note: 4l60 vs. 4l80- I plan to tow and haul with the truck besides boulevard cruise, but no drag racing. Do I need the 80 or can I again go cheaper with the 60

Also I see prices on carmart.com for the 5.3's at $1500 and the 6.0's at $3000 in my area (CT). Hence the reason for the thread. Cheap buy in and upgrade later.

Thanks for the great board.
Dave

 

If you want the 5.3 in its stock cube form to hit 400-500hp, youll be dissapointed(if you want rear wheel)...
Im putting a carbed 5.3 in my nova since I scored one for cheap, and I wanted to get it running and all setup for the lsx platform, I can change to a bigger motor later when I have the money....

If you can afford to, hold off and save up for a 6.0
But if you just want to get it running right now go 5.3, you can always bore/stroke them to a 383~
The 5.3 has the same rod/stroke as the 5.7, just a smaller bore.
Really all depends on what you want out of it, both motors have pretty great heads(5.3/6.0/5.7)
Ill be running a pretty big cam in my 5.3 and ill see what I can push out of the stock cube motor...
For the trannys, a 4l60e would be fine in just a 1/2 ton with no towing, if you plan on doing any later or plan on pushing 500hp think about the 4l80e(if you dont build the 4l60e)

 

I figure 400 at the crank would be plenty for a 2 ton vehicle. I really want the fuel inj. and drivability of an LS1, especially the gas mileage. An old truck that drives like a new one. This isn't a race car just a toy that will have to work ocassionally. Haul my bike, tow a race car, boat, etc...

Don't these 5.3's push the 300hp margin now? Maybe in the future I could just drop a blower on it for extra HP.

How bad is the 4l60e if I decide to tow? What are it's limitations?

 

peregrine, I have a 5.3 in my 68. I think you will be happy with the power even in stock form. well atleeast for awhile. I am thinking about a cam change they say that will really wake one up from stock. get a good performance tune and you should be set.
I wanted the 6.0 in my truck and like said previously try to swing this if possible it will get to your goals cheaper in the end. as far as towing I hear the horror stories but they are factory in the 3 ton suburbans and they are meant to tow. They do have some bad torque management stuff that makes them live that mine doesnt have but I didnt plan on towing with this truck.
good luck

 

The 5.3 is a nice little truck motor and remember the cams are out there for it because all the LS1 stuff will work in the truck motors as well. I think with a cam and some head work u could get 400HP. Or you could put the little maggie blower on it, there are even 5.3l turbo truck kits. Just giving you some ideas I'm planning on putting a 5.3 in my 91 S-10 when the little 2.8 V6 blows its got 212K on it now and not stoping lol. I think I might be waiting some time for the 2.8 to go, ******* mobile one lol.

 

If you tow buy a 4L65E and put behind the 5.3 It's alot stronger than the 60 and has a better first gear and overdrive than the 80! Put a 80 behind a six it will last longer!

The 5.3 will make enough power with a cam and PCM program. But
If you spring for a 6.0 check out this LQ9 6.0L for just $3,679.00 comes pretty complete and it's 345 HP and brand new! I would buy a custom harness and used PCM and throw it in the Truck!

 

I have a spare 6.0L LQ4 laying around with the wiring harness. I would let it go for WAY less than what you're seeing in your area...delivered to your door.

You would probably be happy with the 5.3L motor but as the saying goes, "there is no substitute for cubic inches".

The stock 5.3L, from the factory, are rated at ~285 crank HP, a little more with the newer models. The stock 6.0L, from the factory, was rated at 310-320 crank HP (media print variations) and more with the LQ9 version (345 crank HP).

 

Ive seen the 6.0s go for much less than 3000. I got my lq9 for considerably less.

My friend just put a 5.3 into a trans am. That thing moves, but it has to wait till like 2nd and third gear to get going... not alot of torque down low. My lq9 swap isnt done yet, but I expect (hope) to realign my spinal column with every launch.

My point, dont just look at hp numbers, they can all end up fast but they might feel very different. Cant get away from it, bigger is better.

Research how much of the actual engine you can use in your swap. No point in getting a complete or semi complete engine if you cant use the oil pan, accessories, etc... or if you want to switch to an ls1 intake and get a cam etc. Im sure if you wait it out you can find a deal on 6.0 for much less.

 

I won't be in the market for a while. Maybe not until spring. I would otherwise jump all over that. Damn it! You had to tease me like that.

 

I saw whole engines complete w/the 4l60e's for $1500. Unless I am misunderstanding. I don't want to upgrade this thing going in, but down the road. I just want to drop it in as I build my truck from the frame up. Literally I am starting with the frame and going from there and I have to put so much money into suspension, Fuel cell, engine, tranny, bodywork, paint, seats, etc.. That's why I am looking on the cheap for motor and tranny. This deal will probably run into 10k mark all said and done with me doing all the labor right down to the paint. I am apprentice at a antique restoration shop so I will be mimicking my job on this deal at my house. All the little stuff will cost a bundle.


This is what I see at carpart.com:

2000
Engine
Chevy Suburban 1500 5.3L,8 CYL,VIN T, AT,17K C167 $1499

http://car-part.com/cgi-bin/search.cgi

You tell me. It sounds like they include all I need for the money, plus computer

 

That link doesn't work. Sorry, but you get the idea

 

NOSJohn, You aren't that far from me. When I get closer to the build we will have to talk

 

Oh yeah, one more thing, thanks for all your repsonses. You guys are a big help.

 

Sure, very cool with me. Most times on car-part, it is just the motor. Many recycle yards know they can get more for the accessories, wiring harness, trans., etc. They sell all these parts seperate.

 

I got my 25,000 mile 2002 5.3 with tranny computer and harness for 1500 I thought that was very cheap for what I got it was complete right down to the the AC. These can be had for quite a bit cheaper than the 5.7 ls1 motors.
I will eventually get a larger cam for it but for now it runs great with a good tune.
good luck
Dave

 

Thanks NOSJohn and custom 68.

So the consensus is I will probably be OK with the 5.3 with a cam and good tune, but the 6.0 would be way better if I can find a deal?

And everyone thinks the 4l60e is garbage if I want to tow?

 

I've towed my car on a heavy trailer behind my Silverado with no issues. (5.3, 4L60e) The big thing is to keep the tranny cool. The factory puts tranny coolers on the trucks that get the towing package so if I were you, I'd do the same. If you're towing very often, I'd consider an 80 but for once a month or so, I think the 60 is fine. I was actually impressed with my truck the first time I towed with it. I towed a few times with my dad's old Vortec 5.7 and the 5.3 is so much better. It never struggled all the wayfrom Detroit to Watkins Glen.

 

you can get 5.3's for wayyy cheaper than that. If you're paying more than $500-700 for any 5.3 there is something wrong.

 

Well, with the 5.3/6.0, you won't have to worry about the front end getting so light like I have to That LS1 weighs so much less than the old 350, the front of my truck likes to float a lot more than it used to.

On the transmission front...get as much as you can afford. The 4L60E would be fine...I'm running one myself. That said, I also don't expect it to last forever...when it does blow up, I'll either pick up a 4L65E / 4L70E, or a 4L80E / 4L85E...or make the truck a manual again and get a TKO-500.

Do you have the low-hump cab or the high-hump cab? The 700R4-type transmissions will fit the low-hump cab, but you don't have much room...I don't think a 4L80E would fit.

 

I don't plan on towing that often. Just want to be able to occasionally. Plus once I get a boat I will tow it to the lake and back.

I currently have a low hump cab, but who knows what I will get when I build this truck. I will be looking for local cabs that are better than mine.