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5.3 To A 6.0?

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Old Dec 18, 2006 | 03:50 PM
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Default 5.3 To A 6.0?

My friend and I are looking to upgrade his Silverado to a 6.0. I know we need the tranny b/c the 4l60e I guess can't handle the torque but for the reson of smog will the 5.3 computer work on the 6.0 or is that not possible.

Biggest thing is Cali you can't take an engine froma 3/4 or 1 ton and put in a half ton. If it has to be could I just get the ecm form an H2 or Escalade?

THanks in advance for the replies.

-Joe
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Old Dec 18, 2006 | 04:01 PM
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I have been looking into this myself. I am thinking there will be enough fuel management in the 5.3 computer to handle the 6.0L. If you you can up the fuel pressure to compansate. If all else fails you can use the computere states or a 1500hd computer.

I do know that in the same year of 02 that the 6.0 in the escalade produce around 50 more hp than in the 3/4 ton trucks. I have a 02 hd w/6.0 and tried to get the dealer I used to work for program mine like an escalade, but they were not able sue to they needed specific info to give to GM for the update.
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Old Dec 18, 2006 | 04:29 PM
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What I am trying to figure out is if I hook up the 5.3 ecm to the 6.0 will it run fine. I'm pretty sure the stock ecm won't suffice but we plan on getting the Hp tuners module or Hypertech to meet the need. Sound right to anyof you?
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Old Dec 18, 2006 | 06:37 PM
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If you hook the 5.3L ecm up to the 6.0L it might run, I think it would, but I would think it would run lean.....which I don`t like the thought of. If you get HPTuners you can tune the 5.3L ecm to run the 6.0L. The actual ecm for the 4.8,5.3,and 6.0`s is the same computer, just the programming is different. So if you tune your computer it will still have the vin for a 5.3L and you should be able to pass smog.

You don`t absolutely need the trans, but putting a 6.0L infront of the 4l60e trans will shorten the transes lifespan, it depends on how hard you drive it. It might last a couple months or years. If you switch to the 4l80e you will need to change a couple of pin locations on the trans plug.
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Old Dec 19, 2006 | 07:16 PM
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Is changing the pin locations easy to do? If we build the 4l60e it should handle the 6.0 easily i assume. Also are the intake manifolds different between the 2?

I am finding a lot of 6.0 long blocks and since its the same family I assume everything is interchangable.

Thanks for the help. We are just trying to sort everything out before we rip apart the truck.
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Old Dec 19, 2006 | 07:25 PM
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The pins are not really difficult to switch, you just have to be careful about getting them in the correct places. All that you need to change them is a small screwdriver to open the connectors and a pin removal tool which is under $10 at most autoparts stores.

The intake is the same, but the fuel injectors are not. The exhaust manifolds are different, I believe they will bolt up, but the 6.0`s flow better. I think everything else is the same.
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Old Dec 19, 2006 | 11:24 PM
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for what it is worth, I was up at the chevy dealer a couple of weeks ago and the service manger has a 2002 suburban that had a 5.3 and 4l60e. he got ahold of a 6.0 and put a gm perf. cam, full exhaust and a hypertech on it. he used all the stock 5.3 sensors and computer. it bolted in and he said it runs as good as you could expect for wieghing as much as it does. he has no codes or problems and said the other day when I talked to him that he tows his boat with it and has had no issues with the tranny.
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Old Dec 19, 2006 | 11:32 PM
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the computer doesnt know if its a 5.3 or 6.0. You will need a retune, but nothing drastic. I would just have the 4L60 built right and it will do just fine. We have done a 4L60 behind a 408 turbo and its doing great.
Also, not being from Ca., I dont know, but unless the "swap police" check casting numbers, how will they know anything?
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Old Dec 20, 2006 | 12:20 AM
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They won't know a thing unless they check casting numbers or see the 6.0L stamped on the block! I wouldn't worry about them. The block are the same externally except for the 6.0L cast in!
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