KC_kid

iTrader: (5)

I'm pretty set on swapping a 6.0 L96 for my 5.3 LC9 instead of doing the DOD/VVT delete and new cam. I've read that I can get better low RPM (less than 4500) performance by using the 799 cathedral port heads and intake on the 6.0 block instead of the L92 square port. Does anyone have actual data that supports this so I can determine if the extra work will be worth it?

I'm trying to complete the swap over a weekend and not having to swap heads will limit downtime. It seems like a good DD combo with no boost would be the 6.0 block and 799 heads with a CM drop-in cam and LS6 springs. Probably a converter too while the motor is out. I know opinions will range across the board, which is fine, but for the sake of this conversation I'm hoping to focus on the head choice on a 6.0L DD crew cab half ton. No significant towing needs.

Thanks for any/all input!

1FastBrick

iTrader: (17)

Cathedral for down low.

Rectangle ports for top end.

desert1500 went through this trying to get more power.

He said it was the biggest mistake and waste of money he ever made going to the LS3 top end. The 2 or 3 tenths he gained on the top end made the truck lazy down low. He lost interest and sold the truck after that.

KC_kid

iTrader: (5)

Wow. Ok, I'm convinced. I will plan on using the 5.3 cathedral port top end on the 6.0 bottom end, and I'll have BTR spec me a cam for my needs of a DD that uses LS6 springs.

Thanks!

KC_kid

iTrader: (5)

I found a L96 with 12k miles, 2012 out of 3500 Silverado. They want $2500 for it. Does this sound like a good deal? I wonder how much I can sell the complete top end off of it for.

db caissie

Digging this thread up from a few years ago i guess,
i'm curious to see how you made out with this.
I have done exactly this with an obscure gm performance parts kit#88958775 with 203/212 526/525 lift and god knows what Lsa...
this is designed as a VVT drop in upgrade for the lc9 5.3
i have it up and running currently with all stock exhaust and only an airraid jr intake tube.
its not very happy at idle right now, awaiting a base tune from a certain well know tuner for late model gm stuff....
wondering what you ended up doing with yours, and how well it worked out for you.

KC_kid

iTrader: (5)

I ended up not buying the 6.0 and canned my 5.3 with Cam Motion truck cam. Plus fbo, stall, 4.11s. Pulls pretty good and puts 300 rwtq at 3000rpm.

db caissie

ah bummer, i was hoping to maybe borrow a tune file to get mine running decent while i'm waiting for "bl****ear" to get back to me with a base tune.
not shitbagging them, they've done a number of tunes on different vehicles for me, been very happy with them, just takes a little while going back and forth with emails and data logs.

I'll update with my results on this project, my application for this is a similar truck, 2013 1500 ccsb, just a normal daily driver, which i use in the summer for towing my travel trailer roughly 6,000lbs give or take cargo.
so i was on the same track with thinking the 6.0l with the cathedral port heads and a small cam for some good low rpm torque band would be ideal rather then using the big rectangle 823 heads

i can't see how these things are rated to tow up to 9,000lbs ish, that just blows my mind, maybe on a the prairies in the middle of canada on flat ground with a tailwind...

KC_kid

iTrader: (5)

Sounds like something I'd be interested in... I drive this thing everyday but its just short mileage, so I finally hit 75k recently on an 8yr old truck. Thats why it didn't make much sense to pull the 5.3. I'm 'happy' for now but still looking for boost one day.
Please let us know how it turns out for you. If this engine ever goes, I'll be looking for a L96 replacement instead of a LC9.

db caissie

right it didn't make sense really for me either to pull a perfectly good engine, try selling that one to the wife.... i had to convince her that i thought the AFM was failing....
my truck is paid off, and no way in hell am i going for a new truck payment of a 2500 or 3500 diesel just to pull the travel trailer better, good lord thats 75+k is totally sillyness!!
I don't think i'll ever do a real hard facts dyno test, but for sure seat of the pants trailer towing test will be the determining factor come summer time.
i'll add a bit of eye candy with some cam swap engine swap pics just for the hell of it, sorry to jack your thread, but these upgrades were exactly what i was planning on doing for it, your thread just confirmed exactly what i was thinking was the right path.

db caissie