DwayneJ

With a 2wd a gear swap may be easier, but an engine swap is most definetely easier than a gear swap at both ends. I have done R&P swap probably at least 6 times, I would rather swap an engine. A whole axle housing might not be so bad depending how bad the brakes are to bleed.

You could always do a few simple lods to the 5.3l before swapping it in and then combined with a tune it would make a large difference. The 4.8l are popular with guys wanting turbo setups in smaller cars, the 4.8l limits lowend torque so they can launch and the turbo makes the HP later. Heck the 4.8l pistons are a popular upgrade in 5.3l motors to raise compression because they are flat top.