Thread: Will the 6.0 chevy motor bolt in???

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Hey guys My little 5.4 chevy motor is starting to tap on cold mornings, I am sure it is the lifters.
I have a hard time hauling big loads on my trailer with it over the big mountains.
So I am looking at replacing the 330 chevy motor with a 6.0 chevy motor.
This is in a 2002 chevy suburban, the truck is in great shape so I would like to put a bigger motor in it, for the mountains out here. Does anyone know, will that bolt right in or do I have to change motor mounts and trany and such. In other words is the engine blocks the same???
Thanks Kurt

Kurt,
Certainly your going to have to deal with the electronics in the swap.

I've been told that dimensionally the LS blocks are the same....might have issues with some of the accessories on the front of the engine and I would imagine the computer and some of the sensors and wiring are a bit different.

there are some differances in electronics over the years and application--
Cranks--2 different reluctor wheels at the rear
some have cam dealies
some drop cylinders for fuel economy
some throttle bodies are drive by wire(electronic)

sooooo--if you are looking at a used (take out) at least get the ECM from the vehicle and possibly the engine wiring harness

look at the different vehicles to see how the accessories are mounted--AC, PS, ALT

I was gonna try to find the same year and all and figured the converter would probably be differant.
I was looking around some and they are both vortec motors but just didn't know if the blocks
were differant bolt paterns and such. I would try to buy it out of a wrecked truck so I can get everything
allready on the motor, including the wirring. Maybe I should buy the brain too.
Thanks Kurt

Yeah, I think you'd do best to get the computer and harness along with the takeout engine, Kurt. If nothing else it saves a whole bunch of trips back to the yard to get the stuff you forgot!!!

You Kurt should look at the big picture on this swap.Does a 6.0 truck have a different rear end gear ratio as a example.I have read on other forums the 6.0 is a real gas hog.

The other thought Kurt is we build and swap engines and hopefully in the end they are worth more money.You with your truck is worth quite abit now stock.Maybe with this swap it wouldn't be worth as much.Might want to give that some consideration Kurt.

Kurt-this link is about stroker LS's but it does also go into differences in the stock engines and is worth a read.

2011 Stroker Engine Guide: Unlocking LS Stroker Engine Potential: Engine Builder

5.3- 6.0L is a sort of common swap. There are a couple diffrences and you'll have to get the right 1, but a donor truck from a simmilar year can lend an engine wiring harness and ECU for the diffrences. stock ECU can be burned for a 6.0L tune also.. Couple things to remember, 1999-2002 ( IIRC ) engines have throttle cables, 2003+ are drive by wire, and there are 2 versions of the 6.0L that were produced in those years. The Lq4 and Lq9. The 6.0L you need is the Lq4. The Lq9 would work with some effort. It was used in Caddilac only in 2002, but was in the trucks by 2004.. There is 20hp more in the LQ9, probably not worth the extra effort.

Thanks Dave and Gary; I have looked at both motors and to me they look the same.
The 6.0 just has about 38 more cubic inches. My truck has the good tow package
with a lower range in the trany and a bigger radiator it just does not have the Hi and low 4X4.
I am just looking for a little extra power to clime the big mountains out here.
The pick up truck may have a little higher gear but there is not much differance.
The springs are the main differance I think, but I also load my trailer heavier on the
rear so as not to put the weight on the back of the suburban.
The thing is rated to pull 7,800 pounds but I try to keep it about 6,000.
Most of the 2500 chevy's are 4X4 so thats why the eat up so much fuel.
I took one on a test drive and it was very stiff and when I checked the
milage it was getting 12MPG. Mine gets 18 to 20 MPG. with syntec oil in it.
Also some of the 2500's come with a 8.1 too.
Kurt

Thanks Matt, I think I was typing and thinking at the same time or close as you.
Easier allways works better for me, since I am in the middle of no where now.
Kurt

Had to be the HD to get the 8100 tho. I looked at 1 of those monsters. 2002 2500HD 4x4 CCSB 8.1/Auto. guy wanted $4k and it was pretty nice, but I knew the gas bill wouldn't be.

Where I test drove the 4X4 6.0 chevy, they were asking 18,000 for a 2004.
I did some talking and left, then the guy called me at home and said I could have it for 13,000.
It was nice with a crew cab and all but the ride was way to stiff for a everyday driver to me.
My suburban 1500 LT rides like a caddy so you don't feel every bump in the road.
We have kept up on all the maintenance on it, and it is in great shape, even the paint looks new.
Thats why I would rather just build or buy a new motor for it.
Kurt

Kurt, if you get a pull out get the engine harness and ECM. Like Jerry mentioned, check see if yours Has the drive by wire throttle. I got all that stuff with my LS as a pull out from the salvage yard as a low mile engine trans combo. Most of the knowledgeable yards will video tape it running and know what not to cut. If the assessories are different I'm pretty sure the assessories from your existing setup will work on the new motor.

If you have any doubts go to LS1Tech.com as they have a wealth of information on the LS engines. They have a 'Hybrid Conversion' section as well as a slew of stickies about every LS made. I'm sure your wanting an iron block like the LQ9 or LQ4 since its going in a rig for towing.

Looks to me like Jerry knows quite a bit about the LS's with that perty Camaro!

Mine was an oddball LS1 out of a WS6 Trans Am. It had the 24 tooth reluctor, LS6 intake, they corrected the windage problem and set the block up more like the LS6. I felt lucky to get cable operated throttle. Alot of stuff swaps on these. LS3 heads are awesome but I believe they can only be used on LS2 and up because of valve clearance.

David