snketr

iTrader: (3)

My Sierra is pushing 200k and I'm thinking about a mild motor build. I'm looking for around 450hp. This is my DD that gets about 15k miles a year and taken on family vacations. With that said for a mild build, which one would you pick? Is the 6.2 worth the extra cost of everything over the 6.0? Should I go with either of those over the 5.3? I will be pulling a trailer sometimes and a loaded truck at times too. So low end is more important to me than spinning past 7k. Or keep the 5.3 and do an lsa blower swap?

01FormulaTA

iTrader: (20)

I would do a 6.2....6.0 would be fine too but I would use 243 heads for better low end if you go that route, personally I wouldnt put a blower on a 200k mile engine, plus for the cost of an LSA swap you could find a low mile 6.2

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

More cubes is always better

turboal1

I swapped a L9H 6.2 into my 2010 truck,
I used a 2011 L9H, this was a PNP for me.
everything fit from my 5.3, VVT no AFM/DOD
I love it. all i needed was a ECM flash from
the Silverado the eng came from.

Darth_V8r

iTrader: (4)

6.2 all day long man. The 6.2 is such a step up from the 5.3 and 6.0 it's absurd.

G Atsma

+1 on the 6.2. Why go less when you have a choice? Especially if you're gonna tow. The 6.2 torque will be VERY welcome ahead of a trailer!

CAMSTER

iTrader: (10)

6.2 no question with a little cam and headers will be like the 5.3 power with the lsa super charger but with out the extra baggage.

Crf450r420

iTrader: (1)

All have the same stroke, so that is a wash. The 6.0L bore of 4.000" doesn't shroud the valves like the 5.3L which makes more torque and power. The 6.2L bore of 4.065" doesn't have as much room to improve on, but since it came with way better heads it made more that way.

You don't want huge power, but you want useful power so I'd recommend an LS3 block and heads with a 4" crank. Then you can get a nice mild cam that will drive like a stock motor and easily make the power you want and a little more while giving you lots of torque making it fun to drive and tow well. More cubes with more arm and a mild cam, sort of the modern version of the big block. Should get better gas mileage though.

I guess this might not line up with the budget you have in mind, otherwise it would be a great way to go.

G Atsma

If the above is a bit much for the budget, just get an LS3 and put a mild cam in it. You will have close to, if not actually HAVE, 500 HP easy! How many other engines can claim that? 500HP with JUST a cam???

snketr

iTrader: (3)

Looks like a 6.2 is the way to go. Thanks for the input everyone.

Vdop

iTrader: (2)

Talk to a shop that builds and dynos these engines daily. You'll want as much torque as possible under the curve and before 3k rpm to keep the converter locked and keep it from constantly shifting and revving. Displacement is key but the huge heads on the 6.2 probably aren't ideal for low end and is 12 cubes worth the couple thousand more a 6.2 will probably cost? Unless you can find a killer deal on a 6.2 block you could probably build a 408 out of a 6.0 for the same price as a 6.2 take out that you have to go through anyway. Jmo

G Atsma

6.2's are getting more common with them being in a lot of trucks now too. Should ease the price situation a bit....

00pooterSS

iTrader: (40)

6.2 all day or at minimum a higher compression 6.0 (lq9 or make a lq4 a little higher compression) but ti still won't compare to the 6.2 as much as you'd think.