ls6/ls2 in a 2002 siera with 5.3

bobd54321 · March 31, 2006

Has anyone put a Ls2/Ls6 in a Silverado/Sierra with 5.3. Physicaly I believe it would be easy to do but I wonder about the electronics. For example will the new PCM work with the (BCM) Body control Module. Whould something need tuned, could I use the 5.3 harness and computer. Dropping it in I believe is a unbolt, bolt situtation, is this correct.

redvett · April 1, 2006

The LS6 & LS2 Corvette motors are designed for light weight vehicles and not trucks. Using those engines will hurt your towing power. They also have throttle by wire and require a PCM programmed correctly. Unless your truck has TBW its going to be difficult to get a programmer to find the sweet spot to make it run right. Your better off getting the SS Silverado crate engine.

99Silver6.0 · April 1, 2006

LS6 will work easily. LS2 will not. Its setup differently than the LS6. LQ4 or LQ9 6.0 is a better idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! More TQ. The LS6 is cammed crazy high for a light car, not a 5000LB truck. Even if you do use an LS6 you can use a cable-op TB instead of the DBW crapper.

zippy · April 5, 2006

I don't know why you'd use a new pcm, I'd recomend just using the 5.3L pcm. 99Silver5.3 is right though, the LS6 would be much easier of an install since it is a gen III still and the LS2 is a gen IV. Unless you use the truck intake you will have a few changes to make to be able to run the car intake. Going with the truck intake will lose you some hp for sure over the car intake. There is one bolt hole in the heads that you'll have to add for a bracket, but other than that it should be just as easy as swapping in another 5.3L. Oh yeah that and the programming. I also agree that the LS6 although powerfull isn't a great choice for a heavy truck. It is a great base to work from being more cubes and higher compression, but the camshaft is something I'd recomend changing. You could put another cam in it and gain power over the LS6 cam as well as pick up considerably more low end torque.

bobd54321 · April 5, 2006

Thanks guys for all the replys. I was curious because I have driven the LS2 in a SSR and it'll get up and go. I would like to have the same responce in my sierra. I hardly pull anything with my truck, but on occasions I need to. I know I can buy a supercharger to do that, but I can buy a new engine cheaper than the supercharger, and not to mention the fact the motor has already got 86,000 hard miles on it. The Lq9 sounds nice but I still would like 400 hp and ft-lbs.

Bobby

99Silver6.0 · April 5, 2006

Thanks guys for all the replys. I was curious because I have driven the LS2 in a SSR and it'll get up and go. I would like to have the same responce in my sierra. I hardly pull anything with my truck, but on occasions I need to. I know I can buy a supercharger to do that, but I can buy a new engine cheaper than the supercharger, and not to mention the fact the motor has already got 86,000 hard miles on it. The Lq9 sounds nice but I still would like 400 hp and ft-lbs.

Bobby

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Is it a reg cab truck you have?? I would go for TQ. 6.0 is better for that. Stock 317 6.0 heads flow really, really well for what they are. If you set things up right. Meaning good long tubes, good power cam, good tuning. You can get it dam close to 400 at the wheels!!! Trust me. Im on my way.

That aside, the engine will run on the 5.3 tune like Zippy said. But I wouldnt recommend it for a long period of time. Get a tune and treat it right. The VE (volumetric efficienct) tables will be all whacked with the jump in cubes.

bobd54321 · April 6, 2006

yes it is a reg cab, short bed, z71. what cam would you recommend for the lq9. If possible a factory piece because im on a small budget right now.

thanks for the help

99Silver6.0 · April 6, 2006

yes it is a reg cab, short bed, z71. what cam would you recommend for the lq9. If possible a factory piece because im on a small budget right now.

thanks for the help

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Stock cam will be fine until you can get a good grind in there. Dont half ass it on a cam. Youll regret it later and be yanking it out. The t-case and 4wd will take a bit of your power. Drivetrain loss is a beeyatch, but part of the game.

bobd54321 · April 7, 2006

I guess the best thing to do is swap the 5.3 for the lq9 with the pcm. It is probably the best bang for the buck and I still have lots of room for modifications in the future.

Thanks again,

Bobby