Will a "tuned" 6.0 accelerate and perform as good

Matt99Z71 · March 3, 2005

I've been figuring out that the 6.0 is not quite as quick as the 5.3. I understand that its designed for hauling and not as much for tooling around. But can a 6.0 thats been tuned and/or with a few mods run like a 5.3? Or is it more with the transmission? Hopefully someone who has owned both can answer. Thanks

Scyry · March 3, 2005

this 6.0 is faster in similar trucks, aka Denail vs a Z71. The 6.0 is slower in the 2500, HD1500 and HD2500 because the trucks weigh a lot more and the gearing in the 4l80. It doesn't take much to get more power out of the 6.0 because GM has held it back a lot, as long as you can put up with the CSK.

Chevyfreek · March 3, 2005

The 6.0L have a lot of extra power that can be unlocked with a good tune. There is no doubt that the 6.0L in my 2500HD runs great with my Westers Garage tune. As stated above the 6.0L in the lighter duty trucks will out perform the 5.3L engines for sure. The Silverado SS trucks can put out some impressive power when tuned up and they run the 6.0L engine. Nothing wrong with a properly tuned 6.0L at all...

Butch 02 Denali · March 3, 2005

The Sierra Denali's up to 2005 and the Denali's all run EXACTLY the same LQ4 6.0 engine that is used in all the HD's. Tuning in the Denali's bring the factory rating to 325 HP VS the 300 HP in the HD's. The biggest difference is in the 4L65E tranny used in the Denali's VS the 4L80 used in the HD's. My Sierra Denali weighs 5800lbs, pretty close to a HD!

So. the answer is, if the weight of the two trucks is the same, the heavier tranny will pretty much cancel out the extra cubes and they will run the same with a similar custom Wester's tune.

Ryno · March 3, 2005

If anyone here is old enough to have an old chevy 302, compare that to the 6.0, 377 ci. Much of acceleration speed comes down to bore and stroke ratio. A 327 will rev faster due to less accelerating mass. Only way to overcome it is shear HP. It really comes down to what you want/ need. All my friends love their 5.3's, but hate how they tow.

JRKRACE · March 4, 2005

Pretty ironic....My PCM's FOR LESS tune on my 6.0 HD 2500 made the truck so much smoother that it almost runs like my 2002 Yukon w/ 5.3. All in all, I'm happy..

rascal · March 4, 2005

i was going to guess the 6.0 made more power, but the 2500hd were heavyer. But I looked it up. seems they got that little 5.3 making more hp than my 6.0. 310hp out of 325 ci, and it's aluminum with steel sleaves. now I'd not want it in a truck, well not a pulling truck. wander if it's the torque mangement that he's feeling, I know my 6.0 kinda reminds me of powerband motor cycle. It like it's got a turbo or something. stomp the gas in 2nd and it moves a little faster, but then BAAM both the back tires break lose and your buddy start looking at you a little strange. he starts looking for the nitro button after you swear it doesn't have one. well get hasn't offered to race me as much. I keep telling him he'd smoke me, and he probably would've. the firestones don't seem to be traction kings or maybe chevy lied with the 300hp numbers.

moral of the story is maybe chevy needs to switch to the 325 hp 6.0 in every thing. wander how much torque they lose?

I got a new dream project (that I'll never get time or money for), Colorado take out that little 5 cyl and drop in 5.3, wander if the 5 speed out of 88 2500 would bolt up? maybe one of them 6 speeds out of the camaros

wander what the hp would be with a high flow intake, 180 degree therostat, and flowmaster 50 series exhust would be? I wish someone made a better intake that uses factory air filters. they should be better places to get air than from the fender, and the tubing from the filter to the TB could better, IMO.

N900WM · March 4, 2005

The 6.0L have a lot of extra power that can be unlocked with a good tune. There is no doubt that the 6.0L in my 2500HD runs great with my Westers Garage tune. As stated above the 6.0L in the lighter duty trucks will out perform the 5.3L engines for sure. The Silverado SS trucks can put out some impressive power when tuned up and they run the 6.0L engine. Nothing wrong with a properly tuned 6.0L at all...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But remember that comparing the SS 6.0L to the 2500's is not apples to apples. The SS and Escalade 6.0L engines run a higher compression ratio piston to acheave the rated h.p.

MrQuadrasteer · March 4, 2005

When I had my 89/93 tune, my 3/4t crewcab would annihilate my friends stock 5.3 1/2t extcab, both Quadrasteers. Pull a half or more length off the line, he'd come back from mid to the top of first but shift before me, bam, another half length or so. On my 1-2 shift, bam another half length or so. When he shifted into third, I'd be a half length or more on him, but at his shift I'd just fly off. It was way over by then. Depending on the start, often it'd be even more than that.

He put a 91/93 tune in his and he started pulling me then. I'd get a little off the line, but he'd quickly make it back up and start pulling on me. He never walked on me like I did to him, but he probably would have a length or a little more by the end.

Now, I have put a 91/93 and we haven't raced since. It'll be interesting....

The 6.0's are awesome, great bottom end, and they really do pull hard to almost the top. The 5.3's tho spin-up faster and are a bit more rev happy than the 6.0's.

Both are awesome motors. With Wester's tunes, they're monsters !!!!

jamashke · March 4, 2005

Any one seen any info on adding the SS 6.0L supercharger to a 6.0L 2500HD? I picked up a 32 foot travel trailer 2 weeks ago and really wished I had the 8.1L or deseil. I am looking for something that will help in towing not racing. I do not want to kill the TQ management nor the abuse mode as I want my tranny (AND my rear end) to last. I just want to up the HP/TQ of the actual engine so it will stay in overdrive at highway speeds.

MrQuadrasteer · March 4, 2005

Any one seen any info on adding the SS 6.0L supercharger to a 6.0L 2500HD? I picked up a 32 foot travel trailer 2 weeks ago and really wished I had the 8.1L or deseil. I am looking for something that will help in towing not racing. I do not want to kill the TQ management nor the abuse mode as I want my tranny (AND my rear end) to last. I just want to up the HP/TQ of the actual engine so it will stay in overdrive at highway speeds.

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A Wseter's tune will solve all your woes !!!! The t/m can be left in, you'll get increased power and economy.

real_texan77 · March 6, 2005

The Sierra Denali's up to 2005 and the Denali's all run EXACTLY the same LQ4 6.0 engine that is used in all the HD's. Tuning in the Denali's bring the factory rating to 325 HP VS the 300 HP in the HD's. The biggest difference is in the 4L65E tranny used in the Denali's VS the 4L80 used in the HD's. My Sierra Denali weighs 5800lbs, pretty close to a HD!

So. the answer is, if the weight of the two trucks is the same, the heavier tranny will pretty much cancel out the extra cubes and they will run the same with a similar custom Wester's tune.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

[/quote

actually the 2005 denali has 345 hp not 325 hp.

dbunn · March 12, 2005

Any one seen any info on adding the SS 6.0L supercharger to a 6.0L 2500HD? I picked up a 32 foot travel trailer 2 weeks ago and really wished I had the 8.1L or deseil. I am looking for something that will help in towing not racing. I do not want to kill the TQ management nor the abuse mode as I want my tranny (AND my rear end) to last. I just want to up the HP/TQ of the actual engine so it will stay in overdrive at highway speeds.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I was reading an articlre about 3 weeks ago in a Chevy magazine about turbos for gas engines. This obne is made to work off the exhaust sytem, I have the magazine and the article. If you are interested I can get you the info and or scan the article out of the magazine. It stated close to a 100 hp gain. However, the cost was around 3000 bones. Let me know.

cokedrvrbjw · March 12, 2005

The 6.0L have a lot of extra power that can be unlocked with a good tune. There is no doubt that the 6.0L in my 2500HD runs great with my Westers Garage tune. As stated above the 6.0L in the lighter duty trucks will out perform the 5.3L engines for sure. The Silverado SS trucks can put out some impressive power when tuned up and they run the 6.0L engine. Nothing wrong with a properly tuned 6.0L at all...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

But remember that comparing the SS 6.0L to the 2500's is not apples to apples. The SS and Escalade 6.0L engines run a higher compression ratio piston to acheave the rated h.p.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

345 hp stock. I had a 5.3 silverado, a 2500 hd 6.0, and now the ss. Without a doubt the 6.0 has the most potential. As for which is quicker it come down to vehicle. A stock ss is quicker than stock hd's, and 5.3's if thats what youre asking.

whitesnake01 · March 12, 2005

Any one seen any info on adding the SS 6.0L supercharger to a 6.0L 2500HD? I picked up a 32 foot travel trailer 2 weeks ago and really wished I had the 8.1L or deseil. I am looking for something that will help in towing not racing. I do not want to kill the TQ management nor the abuse mode as I want my tranny (AND my rear end) to last. I just want to up the HP/TQ of the actual engine so it will stay in overdrive at highway speeds.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well .. I went through a very similar story with my 7.4L when I got my trailer. Put a whipple on it and all that. Unlike what they say, it'll cost you more than you think. Starts with the blower, then you need exhaust and then your cooling system can't take all the heat and then you end up cursing when you cannot find high octane fuel while on the road. Never mind that feeling of not knowing what you'll find for a local mech when you get stuck with a custom engine along the road in the middle of nowhere. Been there. Done that.

A slap on blower is great for street use. But if you plan on using it for towing, be ready to set aside a good chunk of money. After all is said and done, I ended up getting a DMAX instead. This is after I used my 454 on many trips including cross country and through the rockies with my 8,300lbs trailer begind.

If you are serious about camping and towing, save your money instead and use it to offset a trade for a 8.1L or DMAX. This will also get you the Allison. This will also get you a truck that has better resale value. Dollar for dollar, you'll get better return for a 8.1L or DMAX than a blown engine. The latter appeals to a smaller set of people.