5.3 To A 6.0

Lee.Smith · January 5, 2011

Hey guys. Im pretty new (knowledge wise) to engines and engine modifications. Ive seen a few people modify thier 5.3's to 6.0's. Ive also heard that they are comparable to an ls2. I want to make my 5.3 a 6.0 and then some. What all would i need to change, modify, upgrade, add to reach that goal? Also if i had the 5.3 to 6.0 conversion and i wanted to buy an aftermarket performance part for it would i buy it for a 6.0 liter or for a 5.3 liter? I apologize if this is too much work.

nickvrebel · January 5, 2011

it's not modifying the 5.3 to a 6.0, it's swapping the 5.3 for a 6.0, as in pulling and replacing the motor.

it is a very easy swap, just unbolt the 5.3 and drop the 6.0 in it's place. everything bolts right back up.

the second part of your question depends on what part you are looking for.

January 5, 2011

Hey guys. Im pretty new (knowledge wise) to engines and engine modifications. Ive seen a few people modify thier 5.3's to 6.0's. Ive also heard that they are comparable to an ls2. I want to make my 5.3 a 6.0 and then some. What all would i need to change, modify, upgrade, add to reach that goal? Also if i had the 5.3 to 6.0 conversion and i wanted to buy an aftermarket performance part for it would i buy it for a 6.0 liter or for a 5.3 liter? I apologize if this is too much work.

I'm not really sure what your asking here. Do you want to bore your existing 5.3 out to 6.0 or do you want to replace your 5.3 with a 6.0?

Your GenIII 5.3 already has the same stroke as the 6.0 ( 92 mm ) but has a smaller bore 3.78" vs 4.00".

I suppose you might find a machine shop willing to bore out the other 0.22" but that is A LOT of machine work.

(That's like boring the motor .030 over 7+ times).

I would guess the machine work and replacement internals would cost you more than starting with a rebuild-able salvage 6.0.

DwayneJ · January 6, 2011

When looking for performance, people get way too hung up on displacement. Yes it can help BUT at the same time the heads and cam are where airflow comes and goes from.

A 6.0l is a good place to start for performance but from there do not fall into the "magazine" rut, magazines push advertisers parts and usually those are mediocre performing and expensive.

Once you have a nice CAI and exhaust you need to decide if a mild cam like a ZO6 cam is right or if you are looking to add more serious power. If looking to get serious, ported heads and a complimentary cam can add a LOT of power.

Prokopchuk_9 · January 6, 2011

or save your money and get a blower. easiest fix...then you gotta worry about tranny...whats ur budget on this?? if you want lets say another 130 RWHP its gonna cost ya a little bit of money

oldschool327 · January 7, 2011

it's not modifying the 5.3 to a 6.0, it's swapping the 5.3 for a 6.0, as in pulling and replacing the motor.
it is a very easy swap, just unbolt the 5.3 and drop the 6.0 in it's place. everything bolts right back up.

the second part of your question depends on what part you are looking for.

So you are saying no re-programing is required? Like to see that one, much more time and $$$ is involved than an easy swap would indicate.

[email protected] · January 7, 2011

Actually, you don't HAVE to reprogram if you don't want to, but for the most power, you'd be stupid not to.

oldschool327 · January 7, 2011

It should set DTC/Check engine lights and the great state of California would love to see that during a smog check!

[email protected] · January 7, 2011

Yeah, it MIGHT do that, but some people don't live where there's emissions. But, I'm not saying riding around with the cel on is a good thing either.

Zembonez · January 7, 2011

it's not modifying the 5.3 to a 6.0, it's swapping the 5.3 for a 6.0, as in pulling and replacing the motor.
it is a very easy swap, just unbolt the 5.3 and drop the 6.0 in it's place. everything bolts right back up.

the second part of your question depends on what part you are looking for.

So you are saying no re-programing is required? Like to see that one, much more time and $$$ is involved than an easy swap would indicate.

Some programing is required. You would have to do a crank relearn for the 6.0 (or any new engine) and it would be best to have it tuned for the new engine.

Prokopchuk_9 · January 7, 2011

ive done this, that was my original plan too just swap in a 6 litre. it NEVER goes that way, always something you wanna do. 15 grand later i finally had a motor/drivetrain that could handle it and actually use it. you wouldnt have to program anything, just find a computer from a scrap yard. like people dont realize the amount of work and money it takes to do that stuff. chances are its an automatic too LOL. 6 litre bolted to a 4l60 would be a friggin joke in the first place...i didnt have that problem i started out with an nv3500 5 speed. just threw in a heavy duty Sachs clutch. i went thru 2 rear diffs, tranny syncro's, motor mounts, driveshafts, transfer case issues out the ying yang, axle wrap bull$hit...ended up using a 14 bolt semi-floater....you add power your asking for trouble and an empty wallet. trust me. i was 19 years old and figured i could throw 500 ft lbs of torque at factory drivetrain components. all im tryin to say is if your gonna just slap a lq4 in a truck thats already got a 5.3 is a waste of time and money. put a set of heads/cam/long tubes and ur laughin. dont waste ur money and time. your knuckles and temper wil thakn you later

DwayneJ · January 7, 2011

I think the 4L60E 8.5" 10-bolt combo should be fine so long as it does not have a gov-loc and is used for the street/strip, heavy offroad and big tires is another story, all kinds of shocks loads and inconsistent traction can do a lot of damage.

The 4L60E gets a bad rap because so few take the time to put it together right, most shops just try to throw parts at it rather than blueprint it properly.

oldschool327 · January 7, 2011

Yeah, it MIGHT do that, but some people don't live where there's emissions. But, I'm not saying riding around with the cel on is a good thing either.

I miss Carolina already.

The 4L60 can handle the power if built correctly, and yes you can get a computer from the yard but must be VIN coded with Tech2 and programmed, but now you are talking $$$$$ of additional money than just a simple swap of an engine.

This is NOT as easy as it seams gents.

This is why you pay extra for Justin to re flash a computer from another truck and it must be in the correct VIN range.

Trade the truck for a factory equiped 6.0 or 6.2 and youll be much happier with a drive train that was meant to handle it. You could always go the forced air route but still that is mucho $$ and tranny upgrades also.

Snow White · January 7, 2011

I put multi-port fuel injection on a non-fuel injected 1984 S10.... it is a major headache, this would be easier in some ways and much harder in other ways. Dealing with the computer components is expensive. I agree that you'd be better off getting a truck with 6.0 or 6.2 already in it.