5.3 or 6.0 swap
It all depends on cost... I have an LQ4 simply because at I got it for $1100... which was cheap enough for me to have a decent power NA and not break the bank having to force induction it.
However, with 5.3's regularly going for low couple-hundred $'s, you practically can't afford not to get one and then turbo it to make up some power!!
This is true, but then he also has to tear down an engine, have machine work done, rebuild, and ontop of that get new pistons... sounds like a lot of work to get 6.0L as opposed to just paying some more for an LQ4 right off the bat... it'd have to be his call.
This doesn't make too much sense... the 5.3 and 6.0 are IDENTICAL motors other than that they have different bores... if you have to change out the pan/belts & pulleys/truck intake on the 5.3 to for it to fit your application, you're still gonna have to do that on the 6.0 too.
However, with 5.3's regularly going for low couple-hundred $'s, you practically can't afford not to get one and then turbo it to make up some power!!
This doesn't make too much sense... the 5.3 and 6.0 are IDENTICAL motors other than that they have different bores... if you have to change out the pan/belts & pulleys/truck intake on the 5.3 to for it to fit your application, you're still gonna have to do that on the 6.0 too.
Last edited by frojoe; Aug 25, 2008 at 02:03 PM.
okay thanks for the info i am just looking to get started on this project and have a long road of learning to do. last time i did this it cost me alot of money through unresearched mistakes i do not want that to happen again. guess that's what i get for rushing things
hey it's all in the process of learning. i think most people once they've done their first swap, even with all the hurdles and unexpected costs, they're hooked and it certainly doesn't end up being their last swap. I know that i can't wait to do another for sure. good luck!
When doing a swap like this, you will make mistakes, its just going to happen. The more research you do before hand the fewer mistake you will make. I dont know if your familiar with the old motorcycle saying that after you buy a 750cc you will want a 1,000cc next month, same holds true here, however, going 5.3 to 6.0 later is as simple as a longblock swap and a tune. If you can only do a 5.3 now, do it, then when you find the 6.0 your car is set up to go, its just a weekend job
You guys make no sense. You are going to drop all this money to make turbo power. Why would you want to lose HP to the poorer flowing smaller bore of a 5.3? Why not start from the most capable platform you can?
I am all for saving money, but if you are that worried about a few hundred bucks you really need to rethink your HP goals.
I am all for saving money, but if you are that worried about a few hundred bucks you really need to rethink your HP goals.
well i was getting at was the ability for the engines to handle the power. i can add more boost and make the power i want with the right internals but for now 10psi low 500 horse would suffice. then when forged internals i will run 20. simple i have done it before i just wanted to know which handles the boost better and if they are the same i will just get the 5.3 if the 6.9 handled it better i would get that. i like boost and lots of it i don't really care what i start with because as soon as the turbo spools i am in adrenaline heaven
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2007
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You guys make no sense. You are going to drop all this money to make turbo power. Why would you want to lose HP to the poorer flowing smaller bore of a 5.3? Why not start from the most capable platform you can?
I am all for saving money, but if you are that worried about a few hundred bucks you really need to rethink your HP goals.
I am all for saving money, but if you are that worried about a few hundred bucks you really need to rethink your HP goals.
i really need as much as i possibly can and within time cost is no object but initial cost i want to keep it low as i keep learning. probably will be a expensive learning process but in the end well worth it
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You guys make no sense. You are going to drop all this money to make turbo power. Why would you want to lose HP to the poorer flowing smaller bore of a 5.3? Why not start from the most capable platform you can?
I am all for saving money, but if you are that worried about a few hundred bucks you really need to rethink your HP goals.
I am all for saving money, but if you are that worried about a few hundred bucks you really need to rethink your HP goals.
you can not bore a 5.3 block to a 4.0 bore to get a 6.0L you can only go to a 3.89 the 5.3 blocks were made to be bored to ls1 specs and with a stroker crank you can go to a 383 but the 6.0 and 5.3 have different blocks with the lq4 the compression ratio 9.4:1compared to the 5.3 with 10:1 the lq4 is a far more efficient boost motor with the 72cc 317's that are far superior to the 5.3 heads.
well large lift with out alot of overlap. 114lsa .600 or higher lift not sure exactly right now but i will tackle that bridge when i get there. has anyone thrown large boost numbers at these 6.0 motors with much success? i am sure there has been but just curious what it did
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thanks for asking my question jrocstar ive been going back and forth between the two motors for a while and am leaning twards the 5.3 but now reading their answers to you i have a question what if you were to buy a 5.3 and swap on the better heads from the 6.0 ive seen them for less than 300.00 for rebuilt would this not give you the better flowing heads and lower compression of the 6.0 less the thickness around the bore and still come in cheaper?
What is the compression ratio of a 5.3? The reason I decided to go with the 6.0 was because of the extra Ci. I am not really familiar with the 5.3 cyl heads but I know they flow good in regaurds for n/a power.. and its been proven the engine works well with boost too. The 6 litre has larger chambers (74cc I belive) which results in the lowered compression. The heads are huge and think that the 6.0will make more power for each lb of boost respectively with the same turbo.
I think its a no brainer if you have the cash a 6.0 would be the way to go hands down but to some it just may not be beneficial to spend the extra cash.
I think its a no brainer if you have the cash a 6.0 would be the way to go hands down but to some it just may not be beneficial to spend the extra cash.
