LET motor availability.

[EPK5]

Gentlemen,

I need your assistance. I am in the hunt for a 6.0L to swap into my 78. I am trying almost for an almost retromod/rat rod type frankentruck. I want modern reliability without caring for what it looks like. I have searched high and low for them and the going rate seems to be around $2000. I have heard myths and legends of these motors going as low as $600. I have searched eBay and the local CL and have come up dry. Any other sources to tap? Thanks.

Bob

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

I'm sure people get great deals if they're lucky, but the 6.0L's are the most desirable and command the highest price, for $600 you might be getting a motor that ran upside down for a while and is worth less than that

 

[mrk5]

You could sacrifice just 25hp do an entire 5.3L swap for $2000

 

[NorCalAnthony]

Another option is to call around to some of the local tow yards that do lien sales. I was able to get a complete wrecked '00 Yukon XL 4wd with the 5.3/4l60e for $1200. Then you can take what you need and part out what's left or trade the carcass to a dismantler for a set of axles to offset the cost of the lien sale.

 

[EPK5]

Great points. Is the 5.3 worth the effort for such a heavy truck? I know guys have done it but is there a reason the 6 liter is more popular? Longevity, displacement? Bragging rights?

 

[NorCalAnthony]

5.3's were/are used in Tahoe's and Suburbans that weigh just as much if not more than our trucks so I wouldn't consider them under sized at all. Not to mention they have more power and torque than the older SBC's that came in our rigs only with better fuel economy. The 6.0's have more power and torque as well as power potential (if you plan on doing some upgrades) than the 5.3's but also don't do as well on gas. Which motor you go with will depend on what your goals are for the truck, what your budget is, and what's available near you. FWIW I was originally planning on doing a 6.0/4l80e swap in mine but most of the yards near me wanted close to $3000 for that combo and I wound up finding the deal I got on my Yukon donor and couldn't pass it up. My truck is going to be a expo/utility rig with occasional daily driver duties and I think the 5.3 with a cam and a good tune will be more than enough.

 

[EPK5]

Ok. That is exactly what I am planning for mine. I know where a 5.3 is located within a mile of my place. I'm not concerned with cosmetics, but I want to be able to travel the Baja peninsula with at least some degree of reliability. Since you mentioned expo, did you make it to Overland Expo this year?

 

[NorCalAnthony]

No thanks to my work schedule I haven't been able to go on any trips for the last couple of years. I'm hoping to go to the one by Flagstaff next year but it depends on how work goes...

If you can track down a good deal on a 5.3 locally I wouldn't have any concerns grabbing it. If at all possible, see if you can hear it run before they pull it. That way you can listen/look for any obvious issues, verify mileage, and see if it has any check engine lights before you hand over any money.

 

[EPK5]

Worth going. I went this past May. It will become an annual event for me. The particular motor is already out of the truck but Tahoes and the like are a dime a dozen here. Thanks for your input.