Engine swap on 2011 silverado 1500

Arctic_fox · October 15, 2015

So not 100% sure if this is the right place to ask this but im curious what all i would need for an engine swap on my 2011 1500.

Currently i have the 5.3 engine with 100k miles on it but my boss has a 6.0 brand new still in the crate hes willing to give me for $1500 (before you ask he owns a repair shop and the guy who bought this engine never came back and its almost 2 years later) im thinking of buying and swaping it and my transmission at the same time as my 5.3 had been haveing issues lately but am unsure what all i would need or if its even worth it vs just tradeing in for a new pickup.

Now keep in mind my trucks body still looks almost brand new and i just had my diffs changed over to 3.72 from 3.08, and have a set of foxes for my suspension and about 5k of other odds and ends upgrades in it and i would prefer not to lose out on them if i can plus im fond of the truck in and of its self but if you tell me its not worth the money i can accept that.

Carder09 · October 15, 2015

I assume the 6.0 is not the HD variant?

Arctic_fox · October 15, 2015

I assume the 6.0 is not the HD variant?

Crate says its a v8 vortec l96 364 engine, I didnt know they made a diffrent 6.0 but the one i would be getting is a brand new never used fresh from dealer engine that was going to go in a 2011 2500 silverado.

Im just not sure if it will even work in a 4x4 1500 crewcab with the towing and trailering package, and 1500 is a lot of money to spend on something i may not be able to use.

sahls01gmc · October 15, 2015

4x4 crew cab trailering towing.......that won't matter as far as the swap. To my knowledge, the 6.0's are the same, some just have more power than others. "Chris" on here put a 6.0 in his 2004. Not sure how well the 2011's like the different motors.

Chris · October 15, 2015

4x4 crew cab trailering towing.......that won't matter as far as the swap. To my knowledge, the 6.0's are the same, some just have more power than others. "Chris" on here put a 6.0 in his 2004. Not sure how well the 2011's like the different motors.

May need new motor mounts. Not sure about the woring on a gen 4

Arctic_fox · October 15, 2015

May need new motor mounts. Not sure about the woring on a gen 4

Wireing is no problem the engine has the rntire harness in the crate with it.

4x4 crew cab trailering towing.......that won't matter as far as the swap. To my knowledge, the 6.0's are the same, some just have more power than others. "Chris" on here put a 6.0 in his 2004. Not sure how well the 2011's like the different motors.

Wasnt sure if the weight of the 4x4 or towing package would make a diffrence better to ask then get half way done and realize nothing fits yea? So so far i will need motor mounts, i know i will need to ether flash or replace computer as 2011s freak if you change anything without a computer flash, will i need to reinforce the front end? Or will my aftermarket HD ball joints and fox suspension be enough.

Sorry if i seem ignorant i have never done an engine swap before so i would rather ask a stupid question then look stupid because i didnt ask.

Chris · October 15, 2015

It isnt just harness. Computer for the engine, computer for the trans. If the plugs are even the same then tuning has to be changed. Will likely need a crank relearn if all goes well. It isnt a simple stab and crank job

Badass69 · October 17, 2015

L96 has VVT and no AFM. You could simply reuse the wiring from the 5.3 and you just won't hook up the AFM solenoids as they won't exist on the 6 liter. Drop the engine in the truck.... it's plug and play. You will of course have to tune the PCM for the 6 liter but that's a pretty straightforward ordeal for anyone with tuning knowledge.

Externally the 6 liter is identical to your 5.3...... and if your 5.3 happened to be an iron block they weigh exactly the same amount. Since it's an 11 I am guessing you have an LC9 5.3 which is aluminum so your iron block 6 liter weighs about 80 lbs more than the 5.3..... no suspension changes required.