Hey guys been lurking around here for a little bit and have a decision to make. I have a 01 4.8L SCLB all stock aside from the flowmaster I just put on. I want this truck to push upwards of 350 to the ground while still being reliable as a daily driver. The two options I see are the 6.0L or an SC on the current engine. Now I know there is a lot of debate on why the guys with the 4.8 even chose to mod and why not just swap it, I would like to stay away from that and just get opinions as to which you think would be a better choice. I realize that there is a "mod the 4.8 vs. engine swap" discussion going on in a post down below, but because I am looking at an SC I felt I should start a new thread. I don't really tow anything and will haul a load in the bed everyonce and a while. Nothing major. I want this to be a sport truck of sorts.

Here are my thoughts so far, I think, per the site listed below, that I could SC the current engine and get the numbers I want (I think those are engine numbers based on the 5.3, but the 6.0 seems a little low, so not totally sure). But I am worried about longevity of a SC 4.8. Now I would like an intercooled SC and I know that Whipple is not (or at least they have just started to do it), but other manufacturers show about the same % gains. So many intercooled systems I've seen are anywhere from $3800-$5600.
http://www.superchargers4less.com/wh...owercht_c.html

The other option is the 6.0. It starts me with 70 more HP and 100 more ft-lb, and from what many have said on this board you can get them anywhere from 1-2k. I figure I could add some bolt ons that would get me the numbers to the ground that I want without having to boost it.

I don't know which to go; that's why I'm looking to you guys.

Just out of curiosity, what the gas milage diff would be between a 6.0 with bolt ons and a 4.8 SC's. I have been told you don't suffer in gas mileage with an SC and that just seems a bit odd.

Thanks guys, sorry for the book.
Andrew

 

in terms of simplicity the 6.0 swap vs. the SC install are about the same...the engine is just alot heavier than the SC...b ut the SC is ALOT more expensive

if you SC it go for the RADIX....it's ALOT more expensive than the whipple but it makes way more power and is a much cleaner install (and it is intercooled from the factory...intercooling is not possible with the whipple until whipple comes out with one or bigguy75inches fnishes his project)

supercharging the 4.8 may be the easiest way to go if you don't have access to an engine hoist or need your truck EVERY day

my NA 6.0 MPG sucks....12 in town and 14-15 hwy....even a SC 4.8 has got to do better than that

hope some of that rambling helps.....

 

the 6.0 with some basic bolt on's would be my route, there are several advantages. alot less money, less temperature dependant, less obvious, fewer tuning woes, less weight(not sure why the post above says more weight for the 6.0 but it would add no weight to the truck). did i say less expensive. you could get a 6.0, tuning and headers for about $2500 if you waited for a good deal on a 6.0, radix is how much?? it also provides a killer base for future mods when more speed is desired.

the only disadvantage to the 6.0 is miliage. you could loose as much as 5mpg, the 4.8 without geting into the boost would likely not loose even .5mpg.

 

parish...I meant that the the weight of the motor is more than the weight of the supercharger (it's easier to lift a supercharger by yourself than it is to lift a motor by yourself)...I was being funny

 

people say a 6.0 swap is so easy and cheap but i dont know where they get this. on ebay ive never seen one under 2g's. then i guess all these people who say its cheap also install it themselves. so now ur talkin another grand or so to install it if ur not a mechanic

 

if you can install the blower you can more than likely install the motor, there is no fabricating at all, just unbolt the old and bolt in the new. how much is it to pay a shop to swap a motor these days? if your going to add instalation to the mix you should add it to both mods, i am sure the motor swap would cost a little more than the blower install.

i paid $1500(shiped) for my 6.0, sold it for $1250, saw an 02/03 h2 motor with next to no miles for something like $1700 on this site. deals come along prety regularly but you have to keep your eyes open for a coupld of months, check the clasifieds daily on this site and on the other.

 

there are rebuildable 6.0's that come thru this site often for 800-900. add in a set of forged pistons, rod bolts and machine work and you have ~2500. one other option is to buy a factory long block, seems like they are $2800 or so brand new. these prices seem prety reasonable to me when headers or a stall cost ~700

 

Yeah, i would want to do the install myself with some help of a few friends that have more expertise and tools!

I am just concerned about the longevity of a SC 4.8, am I just worrying too much?

 

i think the 6.0 would last a little longer than a blown 4.8 but at the power level you are talking about either should last a very long time. start cranking the boost or hiting it with nitrous and you might start to cut into the life of the motor a little. your tranny life will be shortened with either set up. so far it seems that just a 6.0 or just a blower on a 4.8 will not kill the stock tranny imeadiately but i am sure it will cut down on the life quite abit.

 

I'd say get the 6.0 H.O. (345hp/380tq) around here they are $3500 brand new. Put headers, a free flowing exhaust, intake, crank pulley, electric fans, cam, stall, and get it tuned. You'd be rolling like a ****! Thats my plan when I get at least 100,000 miles on my 5.3. Also, I don't know where you live but Futral Motorsports will swap the engines (if all the engine needs is to be droped in and hooked up)for only $500 and dyno tune it for $500 more. If I would have known more about these things about a year ago, I would have done it in a heartbeat. Good luck with your decision!