Forgive me for not knowing exactly what I'm doing, but that's why I am here. I have read many threads on several forums and seen far too many "experts" all with varying opinions on DOD and VVT...blah, blah, blah. I am looking for some sound advice that has nothing to do with either as you couldn't pay me to keep DOD and my mind is made up to delete VVT.

Truck is 2007 Avalanche 4wd. Had Lc9 5.3 w/DOD and lifters collapsed. I'm not sticking more money into the oil eater and I picked up the LY6 6.0 from an 09 2500 HD today. I'm not looking to run this at the track, but want to pick up some torque and I'll take whatever HP I can gain over stock. Is daily driver and pulls no more than 5,000 lbs a couple times a month.

Working with a local guy who will be doing the tuning with EFI Live. He has suggested I do the following: deleting VVT, thinking LS6 cam (204/218 .550/.550 117.5 LSA), BeeHive dual valve springs with titanium retainers, 7.400 pushrods and some long tubes. I will to long tubes now but have to keep my magnablow with single exit for now, until I can afford to upgrade. I know the 4L60 is a weak link but I have been talked into pulling it and beefing it up. HD sunshield, Z-pack, shift kit and HD converter.

Three questions:
1) Do you see any major issues with this set up, keeping in mind it's Christmas and I'm on a tight budget.
2) Is this cam going to perform well in this application? (I'm not keeping VVT no matter what!)
3) What converter would you suggest and why?

 

I can provide info only on my experience .

Your def going to notice more torque from swapping in the 6.0 , a good thing in your heavy avalanche .
I would think about a different cam , that one is a tick on the small side for a 6.0 and your weight , I would run something like a 212/218 comp , I've been in a 2500hd all stock with this cam /tune only and that truck ran great and didn't suffer at all on low end even with stock converter. And you can run the Z06 valve springs which aren't too pricey.

As for converter I recommend a 2800 triple disc , people are gonna argue if a multi-disc is needed , but I say yes in a heavy vehicle that will also be used like a daily driver that also will tow . Both of my Z71s I've had I've used this converter and it drives just like stock , tows well and perform awesome . IMO the perfect daily driver /fun/play converter you can have in a truck for most applications .

I hate to see ya put money in that 60e though , you will be money /time ahead to do an 80 e swap .

 

You want low end tq an not worried about high end hp....get away from the L92 heads. They do not produce the low end tq a good 243 or 317 will. People will argue and blah blah blah. Ive seen too many dynos of cars never of trucks with the L92.
Yes peak hp an tq are higher with an L92 based head but the dip that happens at 3200 to 3500 is due to the small exhaust and over sized intake. My dyno results proved this with my old setup. Every dyno it was on it had the same dip no matter who tuned it.
My best advice is to get a vinci trucker low lift cam for square port heads. If not that then pick up the 212 218 but high lift and spend the 135.00 on pac1218s so atleast the cam will half a&& match the heads. You can also take your 243s or 799s off of your 5.3 and run those then sell the L92 intake head as a package

My truck went into the mid 12s with 3" exhaust ran to oem exit through a 36" magnaflow. So its not like your magnaflow is robbing you much

 

That makes sense to me. For another $70 I can get the 212/218 high lift. I haven't decided on the future of my 5.3 yet, but also an option I have considered. Thanks!

 

Just curious. How did you make out with the conversion. I'm in the process of figuring out the details. I'm looking at a 6.0 LY6 to replace my LC9 5.3. Wondering how I'm going to handle the VVT among other things. Thanks!

 

Ya, I would stay away from the LS6 cam if you are looking for TQ. As mentioned, a 212/218 would be a good choice. The LS6 cam will move your TQ curve up quite a bit which you dont want for your setup, you want low end. I also agree with the cathedral port head idea.

 

+1 for the 4l80e swap. I build the conversion crossmembers for it.

 

I know is is old but I can speak to this perfectly.

I just put an LS6 cam in an L96(e85 comparable LY6). I think on paper the cam works well with this engine. It definitely leaves mid range with something to be desired compared to what I have felt in the past. It wouldn't be my first choice going into a heavy ride either. I did it purely to maintain every stitch of factory drivability while adding some power and deleting VVT as you mentioned.

I have a 3000 converter and trust me when I say for an all out application it's begging for more. It drives really well though.

I'll answer whatever questions the best I can if you're still curious.