Hey guys, I've got an '04 Sierra 1500 with the 5.3L Vortec (mods are listed below) and I've always been a little jealous of the Silverado SS and Sierra Denali guys since they've got the 6.0L with 345hp and 380tq. Which leads me to my question...

How much would it cost me and how hard would it be to swap in a LQ9 6.0L VortecMAX into my truck or an LQ4 out of a GMC Sierra/Yukon Denali? Where can I find these motors to do a swap like this? What am I going to have to do to my Transmission I have now to handle the added power/torque of a different engine? How well do these LQ Series Engines handle aftermarket mods, i.e. Boost, Cams, Head Porting, etc... ? Is a swap like this even worth it as opposed to supercharging my 5.3L Vortec?

Any information on these questions would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!!

 

Well I got a 5.3 2003 motor and I'm going to swap to a lq4 and change the cam with new push rods ect. I have rode in all 4 different type of motors 4.8 5.3 6.0lq9 6.0lq4 and the 6.0 is the best bang for the bucks. I seen what a 6.0 lq9 and a lq4 will do on times with just motor. 12s and heard tell of 11s with a little help from the little old bottle. Check out the sites and when you add turbo or a supercharger you get more from the 6.0 than the 5.3 Don't get me wrong the 5.3 is a good all around engine but the power is in the 6.0 motor. The blocks on all 4 engines are the same but the head on all four are different. Bigger the number more of the flow like 8 to 1 in the 5.3 verse 10 + 1 in the 6.0 . And all the wiring should hook up the same intake can be used but with different injecters. You will need to program your computer for the application you use. The engine should bolt right back to the stock location. I'm no expert on this but looking and searching for power I seen different things done but at this time I think this would be your best route. where are you at N.C.?

 

Go for it, everything from your 5.3 will swap over. Physically the blocks are the same, the 6.0 just has a bigger bore. Or do what I did, turbo the 5.3 and if it ever lets go you have a good reason to put in a 6.0 , plus you can slap on the turbo to the new motor

 

Thanks guys. Still looking for info on my trans. though. What am I gonna have to do to my trans. to handle the additional torque and power of the 6.0L?

 

sooner or later you will need a built tranny with the 6.0 look at FLT or performabuilt ------->

 

I really hate to be "that guy" but these questions are asked about every day it seems. Try the search button.

 

The lq motors will handle as much as the rest of the ls motors. Plan on at least a shift kit(transgohd2) rite of the get, that will buy you a lil time, b4 it takes a crap and a built one will be needed.
I probably have 3k total in my set up, including the engine/shipping. I was going to go FI on the 4.8 and but figured I would want more after that and the 6.0 is a great motor to start with and alot of power can be had from one. Check out ebay, at least thats where I bought mine at. Search on the site a bit and you will find tons on these swaps.
John