5.3 To A 6.0

[Chris]

6.0 is easier because either way the 5.3 should come out

[Snow White]

well, if you're swapping in the LQ4, I'd long block rebuild that LQ4, get a new valve drivetrain including cam/lifter/pushrods/rockers, aftermarket heads/port/polish, forged steel crank, over the cylinders, up-sized pistons, and dump a few grand into the lq4 before you just go and ram it in there.

[STINSAN3]

well, if you're swapping in the LQ4, I'd long block rebuild that LQ4, get a new valve drivetrain including cam/lifter/pushrods/rockers, aftermarket heads/port/polish, forged steel crank, over the cylinders, up-sized pistons, and dump a few grand into the lq4 before you just go and ram it in there.

Way too much money for that.

[white1500]

No offense to the OP but anyone who intends to modify their power/drive train should learn a lot more than just the basics. In reality there's no such thing as plug and play.

 

And if you're on a budget a tune, cam, 91 octane, and lower diff gears might do the job.

[380Racing]

Doing one now , besides removing the vvt Its almost complete, after she's running to the tuner and I should be good. You can steal the cam gear and timing cover from the 5.3, that removes vvt.

Anyone else attempted this lately ?

[PJB1972]

... and dump a few grand into the lq4 before you just go and ram it in there.

 

LOL, Well said!

 

I'm planning this WAY down the road, myself.

The rear end is getting rebuilt this month with a 4 spring clutch-style posi unit, 4.11 gears and all new internals. (That's $1000 in hard parts, ALONE!)

 

Once summer rolls around, the Mega Monster Transmission 4L65E (which is rated up to 500hp/450torque) goes in. ($3100)

 

THEN by winter, I'll be picking up a junkyard LQ4 and tearing it down to the short block.

That will get sent to the machine shop while the heads get decked/ported/polished, etc (J/Y Donor + Block machine work + Head machine work = $2500 +/- )

Maybe add a mild 212/218 cam kit w/lifters, springs, locks, seals, pushrods etc... ($1000)

 

And that's about it...

So just "dropping in an LQ4 and being done with it" has turned into $7600 in hard parts IF I do all the work myself, plus a tune!

Probably $4000 more than my truck is even worth!

But all that stuff has to be done before you throw the power to it.

It is what it is.

 

In the end, I'll have a good looking truck with a solid drivetrain that puts out 400+ hp.

I don't drag race, It's a daily driver. I just want a little more grunt at the red lights.

 

But, like daddy always said, "you gotta pay to play!"

Best of luck to ya!

 

Addendum:

FWIW, in the end, you could do the same mods to a 5.3, apples to apples.

The difference is likely to only be about 30 hp / 25 tq, based on factory ratings.

The LQ9 would get you an extra 50hp / 45tq over an LM7.

 

LM7 5.3 = 295 hp and 335 lb·ft

LQ4 6.0 = 325 hp and 360 lb·ft

LQ9 6.0 = 345 hp and 380 lb·ft

 

Guess it just depends on what you can find in the parts yard and how much you wanna spend for it.

[PJB1972]

THEN by winter, I'll be picking up a junkyard LQ4 and tearing it down to the short block.

That will get sent to the machine shop while the heads get decked/ported/polished, etc (J/Y Donor + Block machine work + Head machine work = $2500 +/- )

Maybe add a mild 212/218 cam kit w/lifters, springs, locks, seals, pushrods etc... ($1000)

 

Now that I have thought about it.... anyone ever looked at ATK High Performance Engines?

I have no idea about what kind of company they are or what the quality of their work is, but they do offer a 2yr / Unlimited mile warranty.

 

http://high-performance-engines.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=ATK&Product_Code=HP93

This is a new remanufactured LQ4 6.0L Performance Engine that puts out 460HP / 470TQ.

 

They're selling them on eBay for $3100 if you pick it up in Ohio ($3600 on their website)...

But it's as cheap or cheaper than I could buy a donor 6.0L then have the block and head work done with performance goodies...

And its dyno proven 460HP / 470TQ. (135HP and 110TQ OVER a stock LQ4)

 

You would still have to pull parts from your motor to complete it, i.e. oil pan, timing chain cover, intake, accessories and such...

But they're all the same from the 4.8 to the 6.0

[Chris]

 

Now that I have thought about it.... anyone ever looked at ATK High Performance Engines?

I have no idea about what kind of company they are or what the quality of their work is, but they do offer a 2yr / Unlimited mile warranty.

 

http://high-performance-engines.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=ATK&Product_Code=HP93

This is a new remanufactured LQ4 6.0L Performance Engine that puts out 460HP / 470TQ.

 

They're selling them on eBay for $3100 if you pick it up in Ohio ($3600 on their website)...

But it's as cheap or cheaper than I could buy a donor 6.0L then have the block and head work done with performance goodies...

And its dyno proven 460HP / 470TQ. (135HP and 110TQ OVER a stock LQ4)

 

You would still have to pull parts from your motor to complete it, i.e. oil pan, timing chain cover, intake, accessories and such...

But they're all the same from the 4.8 to the 6.0

It has to have a cam that sucks on the street or those numbers are with boost. That much power on a 4.030 bore and stock heads and compression doesnt sound right.

[PJB1972]

It has to have a cam that sucks on the street or those numbers are with boost. That much power on a 4.030 bore and stock heads and compression doesnt sound right.

I was thinking that because they don't give cam specs. It just states "custom grind".

I'd love to see more details on these.

[Chris]

I was thinking that because they don't give cam specs. It just states "custom grind".

I'd love to see more details on these.

For that much power boost on an LQ4 that cam has to be a "Race" cam. A big ol' donkey dick cam. High lift, madsive duration and probably needs a 4000 rpm stall.

[PJB1972]

Here's the 408 stroker that has one of those applicably endowed cams and a carb....

 

 

 

619HP/557TQ

 

And the 450HP LQ9

 

[Chris]

Not too hard for an LQ9 to hit the 450 msrk with cam and heads

[Chris]

At least the LQ9 would actually idle and I cant seem to find that on their site

[PJB1972]

At least the LQ9 would actually idle and I cant seem to find that on their site

Comment section of the video said it was "new and will soon be available to the public at a very affordable price".

Not too hard for an LQ9 to hit the 450 msrk with cam and heads

Stock LQ4 and LQ9 are only 20HP apart.

[Chris]

The LQ4 is affordable enough to where i would rip whatever cam is in it out and put in something more streetable