Thats a nice truck. Its asking for a 6.0/4l80e.

 

well ive never done an engine swap so id probably just pull engine and trans all at once. i kind of want to shoot around 400-450 crank hp and be reliable... possible? i drive anywhere between 30-200 miles a day

 

That's easily possible on the 6.0 with just long tubes, cai, and a good tune should put it around 410-20 crank hp. If I'm wrong someone correct me I haven't dynod mine yet but quarter mile calculators and my tuner put it right in that power range.

 

I have a 03 5.3 ECSB Z71 with a TR220 cam, ported/milled 706 heads, long tubes, cai, 4.56s, 33s, a built 4L65e and a tiny converter. It put down 330whp on a Mustang dyno and runs very very well. I've never had it to the track but it runs down my friends full bolt on 350z fairly easily from a roll.

I don't daily drive it but I used to drive it 50 miles a day 3 or 4 times a week. Only put about 5,000 miles a year on it though. With the 4.56s at ~74mph and 33s the RPMs are about 2350. It seems a tad high but the engine is under very little load so the mpg doesn't suffer terribly. Highway it runs about 15-17mpg and city is about 12-13mpg.

In hindsight a 4L80 and 6.0 swap would have been better, but putting things together piece by piece is easier. Plus it's also fun beating up on other trucks with only a 5.3.

 

wish I would have started with a 6L, if you don't you will regret it later

 

80e and 6.0L and you wont regret it as it has been mentioned already.

 

Thanks for the replies. It is almost for sure I will have a lq4/9 with 80e.now the question is, what to put in it? L92 heads ls3 intake? Or would that be worth it. Or bone stock full bolt ons and tune? I'd like to hear some more input on that performance

 

Keep your 5.3 top end, swap shortblocks.

If the engine you get is a complete longblock just throw your intake on it and go. They are the same anyway. Don't over think it!!!!

 

That^^