6.0L vs. 5.3L
TECH Addict
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 126
From: Monroe,NY
TECH Addict
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 126
From: Monroe,NY
When i had my 05 gto i would average about 17 mpg. On the highway around 24-25. My 01 camaro would average around 19 but i would get 30-31 mpg on the highway. The gto did weigh more. That is stock vs stock.
Did those cars have head an cam work? I seem to get around 12-14 mpg city, and about 21-22 highway. This cam has about 15 degrees overlap compared to my old cam at 5 degrees. That alone probably killed the mpg's lol
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 122
Likes: 2
2004 chevy 2500HD 4x4 6.0 LQ4, 17-19mpg hwy, same truck, same cam, with a 5.3 LM7, though not tuned completely yet, 17-19mpg hwy.. iv only noticed this while tuning the 5.3, and im giving the 5.3 a point bump.. really seems to get a bit worse mpg.. maybe like 16-18... !
But hey OP really i want one of those engines, can i have a phone number and address please
thank you
But hey OP really i want one of those engines, can i have a phone number and address please
thank you TECH Addict
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 126
From: Monroe,NY
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Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2016
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Thanks guys! I'm headed to probably buy the 6.0L this weekend. The 5.3L $450 ended up having a cut harness. The guy has three total and are listed under Joshua Bradley on LSX Parts For Sale on Facebook.
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2018
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Sorry to revive an old thread, but I am also planning on dropping an LSx into my 70 C10 and debating on which to get, the 5.3 or 6.0. Concerned about MPG as well as prices. Where are you guys finding engines in the $400-700 range?? When I check Craigslist around me they are all listed at $1,500 or more! I am in SoCal
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,293
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From: Central Cal.
Will you be doing any trailer towing? Then maybe consider the 6.0. Otherwise the 5.3 might be enough. Are both going for about $1500 in your area? If so then go for the 6.0 bang for the buck-wise.
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2018
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No, no trailer towing. Perhaps when I take my 280Z project to a shop for things I cannot do at home but once it is running I do not plan on towing it anywhere.
$1,500 is for the 5.3 with a 4l60e transmission. The 6.0 with no tranny I see for $2k
$1,500 is for the 5.3 with a 4l60e transmission. The 6.0 with no tranny I see for $2k
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,293
Likes: 3,617
From: Central Cal.
I would go for the 5.3 as it includes the tranny, which you would need. $1500 for both isn't too bad a deal. Low mileage? See if you can get ALL the electrical (harness, ECM, gas pedal, etc.) It will make things MUCH easier, even if you have to pay a bit more.
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2018
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Yeah, they go for around 1.5k to 1.7k for the engine, all accessories, transmission, wiring harness, ecu and some with the pedal as well. This truck will be to do projects around the house and to pick up parts for my Datsun project so I don't need anything terribly big or torquey. Would like to drive it to work every once in a while without breaking the bank. I heard I can get good gains by upgrading the cam, but that perhaps it would hurt my MPG
Just saw a 6.0 for 2.5k complete with 4l80e transmission, wiring harness, ecu and pedal
Just saw a 6.0 for 2.5k complete with 4l80e transmission, wiring harness, ecu and pedal
Last edited by Casper0878; Oct 29, 2018 at 02:57 PM.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,293
Likes: 3,617
From: Central Cal.
The 4L80 is a much tougher tranny, and a good match to a 6.0. If you can squeeze the extra $1K, it would still be a pretty fair deal since it includes all the goodies too. The decision is yours, either way it would be a good swap. A fairly mild cam would liven either engine up a good deal without compromising economy much at all.