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What year 6.0 should I look for?

y5mgisi

y5mgisi

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Well ive found a few 6.0's localy for pretty cheap. Now i am starting to get serious about the swap in my 90 in place of my 350tbi. So i just need to know what years i should look for and if it is worth it to get a factory computer/wire harness or if i should just get a motor and get an aftermarket harness/ comp.
 
any year. Early years had steel heads(can't remember off the top of my head the exact numbers). Computer and wiring harness is up to you. Its a cost thing. Modified factory ECM and Harness runs like $500. New harness alone runs like $700. Plus computer, and custom tuning for aftermarket computers.
 
Stay with an earlier (pre '02ish) throttle cable style motor, they are easier to swap than the later throttle by wire systems.
Definitely will want to get wiring harness, computer, throttle cable and all the wierd odds and ends that bolt to the motor you can get your hands on.
You'll have to send the computer out to get all of the OBDII codes deleted and get the Theft Lock code deleted as well.
Aftermarket wiring harnesses and computers are pretty expensive and can blow an engine swap budget right out of sight. With all the other odds and ends you'll run into I'd recommend planning carefully and leave a lot of slush money in the budget.
 
BGKYK5 said:
Are the 6.0L truck engines significantly less expensive than an LS1/LS2?
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typically, yes. theres always great deals around, but for the most part, 6.0s are cheaper than ls1s. you can also pick up 5.3s DIRT CHEAP and aren't a bad alternative.
 
I have a 5.3L, which is generally cheaper than the 6.0Ls and 6.0Ls(iron block truck engines) are cheaper than the LS1s in general. Everyone wants an LS1, failing to see the potential in a truck engine. I'm puting the 5.3L in a 69 Firebird, and next summer I hope to build a 402 stroker engine based off of the 6.0L Iron block.

Anyway, with that, I wouldn't worry about a electronic throttle engine. Just need to get a stock LS1 or truck cable throttle body. Doubt that to be the most difficult thing. Just need to find someone that put on a bigger tb. Then any shop you send a harness to can easily deal with the wiring issues involved there.

I do agree, when it comes to engine swaps, ESPECIALLY swaps like these, prepare to spend a good chunk of change. I've got probably $1200 into my 5.3L swap so far, and the engine only cost me $600. I haven't sent the harness or PCM off yet, and the only part of the fuel system I have is the fuel rails(not necessary, just doing it). So I figure at best I will be at about $2200 all said and done. And that is CHEAP in comparison to a lot of folks.
 
As far as the electronic throttle goes, I think Holley makes cable operated TBs to swap in place of an electronic one. Of course you could save money and put on an older stock one on instead. I am assuming that you would need an older ECM to run it then or have the one that came with the engine more heavily modded.

I am dreaming here, but has anybody started seeing the 6.2L L92 in junk yards?
 
I have been told that the ECM out of the 2002 are better for programing but you can use that ECM on the 99-02 motors. I am looking a puting a 4.8 in a chevelle also
 
RingMaster4x4 said:
I have been told that the ECM out of the 2002 are better for programing but you can use that ECM on the 99-02 motors. I am looking a puting a 4.8 in a chevelle also
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Never heard of the 02 thing.

You can get a 03+ computer reprogrammed to work with the cable throttle and wiring harness modified to work as well. Thats no big issue, very common in fact.

Unless you are getting a screaming deal on a 4.8L, why would you want one? Its less than 300cui afterall. They aren't a slouch for their size, but a 5.3L, 5.7L or 6.0L has so much more potential(especially the 6.0L and 5.7L). I wouldn't waste the money on the swap unless you go bigger. The only reason I even have a 5.3L is that it only cost me $600 for the engine, computer, harness, and all the accessories. Otherwise I'd have hunted for a 6.0L.

Yes L92s are starting to show up, but not much. The new big thing in the Gen III/IV world looks like it will be the L92 intake/head swap. L92s use 90mm throttle bodies from the factory. Last months "GM High Tech" had an article where SLP swapped a set of AFRs and an LS6 intake off of their shop project car with a 402 stroker and installed a L92 head and intake combo with a Fast 90mm throttle body. They picked up a substantial bit of power. Vs AFR heads, thats amazing. The L92 heads will only work on 4"+ bores though, due to the really large intake valves.

Personally my plan is a 402 stroker with L92 heads and intake. The numbers I saw out of that article were just too impressive to pass up.

GM high performance is selling L92 heads and intakes. SLP is selling swap kits that include rockers(intake rockers are offset vs the older ones), pushrods, and all the misc stuff you need. Its a little pricey, but all you need is that kit and a throttle body and you are ready to swap really.

In case you can't tell, I've gone Gen III/IV crazy as of late. Ever since I got the 5.3L old 4 bolt main Gen I small blocks do nothing for me anymore.
 
I assume people are working on ways to disable DOD on '08 or later L92s. Is there anything other than a lifter swap and ECU software change that needs to be done?
 
sled_dog said:
Never heard of the 02 thing.

You can get a 03+ computer reprogrammed to work with the cable throttle and wiring harness modified to work as well. Thats no big issue, very common in fact.

Unless you are getting a screaming deal on a 4.8L, why would you want one? Its less than 300cui afterall. They aren't a slouch for their size, but a 5.3L, 5.7L or 6.0L has so much more potential(especially the 6.0L and 5.7L). I wouldn't waste the money on the swap unless you go bigger. The only reason I even have a 5.3L is that it only cost me $600 for the engine, computer, harness, and all the accessories. Otherwise I'd have hunted for a 6.0L.

Yes L92s are starting to show up, but not much. The new big thing in the Gen III/IV world looks like it will be the L92 intake/head swap. L92s use 90mm throttle bodies from the factory. Last months "GM High Tech" had an article where SLP swapped a set of AFRs and an LS6 intake off of their shop project car with a 402 stroker and installed a L92 head and intake combo with a Fast 90mm throttle body. They picked up a substantial bit of power. Vs AFR heads, thats amazing. The L92 heads will only work on 4"+ bores though, due to the really large intake valves.

Personally my plan is a 402 stroker with L92 heads and intake. The numbers I saw out of that article were just too impressive to pass up.

GM high performance is selling L92 heads and intakes. SLP is selling swap kits that include rockers(intake rockers are offset vs the older ones), pushrods, and all the misc stuff you need. Its a little pricey, but all you need is that kit and a throttle body and you are ready to swap really.

In case you can't tell, I've gone Gen III/IV crazy as of late. Ever since I got the 5.3L old 4 bolt main Gen I small blocks do nothing for me anymore.
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well I am going this route to see what it will do I can always swap for bigger if wanted. Also I want this 4.8 for the acc. I can get a 6/0 with out Acc. all day long for 1000. Is 100 compleate screaming enough for you? :D

I have a freind with a 5.3 in a 2000 ECSB and that thing is mean. he had the trans built with a 3000 stall and the motor has a 220/220 cam.
 
$100 qualifies for a screaming deal, haha.

Like I said, I bought mine because of the accessories and everything. Even though I have to change a bunch of stuff since I am installing a LS1 intake and the engine is going in a Firebird. Namely, oil pan, water pump modification, and serpentine belt replacement/relocation. And I am running a M21 behind it, so need a flywheel spacer and bolts as well as an LS1 flywheel. Never ending. My $600 deal isn't so much of a "deal" anymore. Its a lot like my $300 Dana 60 that I have about $2000 into....
 
haven't looked into the L92 swap, just swapping parts off the L92 onto the older engines.

If DOD could be made to work, why even bother getting rid of it really? Not like its going to hurt performance when you are looking for performance. Just increase mileage when you are not.
 
I suppose you are right, keeping DOD wouldn't be the end of the world. I think by 2008 all truck versions the Gen III SBC (except maybe the 4.8L) will have it. The only problem is if you start swapping parts that require a retune. Then you will have two sets of calibrations to retune.

In a perfect world, junkyards would be using LS7s for door stops, or better yet, in a couple years they would be up to their elbows in 'vette blue devil engines. A guy can dream.
 
So im back on this new motor kick again. Does anyone have stock hp numbers for various years/models of the 5.3, 5.7, and 6.0? Im kind of thinking on going with the 5.3 now as they seam to be easyer to find and would still be a major upgrade from my POS TBI 350. Also all the trucks run motor driven cooling fans corect? Im just trying to think of how stock i could make it look. If all goes to plan, i'll have a shop to work in this winter to do the swap.
 
I just found this wiring harness that looks pretty sweet. It says you use the stock ecm. I figure if i could get a motor for 750 and this harness for 650, get the computer all done up 200(?) plus like 5-600 ish for all the crap im not thinking of that puts me at aboot 2100 bucks. I still think it would be worth it.

http://www.howellefi.com/shop/customer/product.php?productid=16233&cat=253&page=2
product_image.php
 
FYI for anyone looking to do a swap
I found a 2004 6.0 liter with a cable operated TB. It's out of a van
 
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