So was just curios on the limits of the drivetrain in my truck its a 2011 ext. cab with the 6L80E and has the transfer case with the automatic 4x4 switch.... I have a forged 5.3 with a twin 70mm turbo setup laying around and was thinking about doing a swap... I know the trans will have to be built wasnt sure about the T case... the engine should put down 1200-1300 rwhp... so lets hear it what do u guys think...

 

The 6L80e doesn't really have an aftermarket yet. I don't see anyone building one capable of 1200hp any time soon. A Th400 or 80e are much more likely. That also changes the situation for transfer cases. With the 80e idk how it will interact with the push button stuff. I would guess the stock unit won't handle 1200hp if you are giving it everything its got.

 

Yah was just doing a lil research and wasnt reading good things about 6L80s the only way I would do the swap is if I could keep the stock drivetrain and build it... you would think the 6L80 would be stronger than the older 4L80 but i guess not... also the t case can be full time 4x4 just has that option for auto 4x4...

 

The 6L80e is actually quite strong in stock form, but running more than 650rwhp it starts to live a very unhappy and short life. The aftermarket just isn't there yet. I mean damn we got 20 years of 80e tech. The 6L80e is what 6 years old? Just about nothing available for it as of right now. GM did a great job with it until it gets lots of boost

 

There are a few transmission placed that are building them strong. Then it's all in the tuning to have it do well. I'll pm you the websites since I don't think they are vendors on here.

 

The last thing you will break under there is the transfer case, just dont shift under power.

And good luck making 1200rwhp on a 5.3.

 

I have been turbo like 2 years already I have a 5.3 6l80 awd 76mm turbo with 12-15 psi and tranny is been good but my transfer just went out month ago

 

I LOL'd.

As far as the T-case goes, I think the chain is supposed to be good for about 450-500HP transfer before it breaks? The breaking strength on it is some crazy high #. As long as the back doesn't break free and the front has too much traction, the T-case should be good.

 

I probably have 100+ 1000hp 4wd launches on drag radials with my 5000lb truck and the 250,000 mile stock transfer case looks brand new. Like I said, just dont shift it under power and it will be the last thing to break.

FWIW, the halfton tcase has a max torque rating of 1800ft/lb I think while the 3/4 ton tcase is 2100ft/lb.

 

Thank u kind sir...

lol go build a 408 stroker.... What do u guys have against 5.3s? its not a stock 5.3 (TEA ported Trickflow heads, 102mm intake and TB, 1 7/8 primaries, Forged pistons, rods blah blah blah, I see stock ones turboed putting down serious numbers... a bigger engine is not always better especially with boost...