all right, i am in the market for a new truck, im looking for 2000-2002 rcsb silverado and 2000- up rcsb sierra. Now i want to know what your guys' opinions are about this: should i get a decent one say around $15k w/ 5.3, 3:73, g80, low miles, power windows and locks etc. etc. or get one for cheaper w/ 4.8 whatever miles, no power windows or locks, etc. and do an engine swap for a 6.0/80e, and add an lsd etc. i have a diablosport programmer for the 5.3 already from my past truck R.I.P. i know its not much but when i had it on my old truck i was pretty happy with the performance. Moneywise how would these 2 compare im gonna have to get a loan either way, i would really like to get up over at least 400 hp but it will be my daily driver and it has to be reliable. So which truck would be easier and cheaper to get to my goals. i dont have any experience at swapping engines and tuning etc. so i would need to find someone to help or pay to have it done. well thanks guys justin

 

4.8 with the engine swap unless you want to be different. the 5.3 is quite snappy but if you want to stay n/a 400 is going to be a reach at the wheels

 

well i dont have to be n/a i wouldnt love to be turboed but i just have to do all of this on a poor mans budget lol. i want to learn how to do some of the stuff so i can do it myself. well anymo0re suggestions would be great thanks !

 

if you are working on a poor man's budget (like me) Nitrous will be your best bet to reach 400whp... I havent been dynoed but I am sure I am in the high 300's on nitrous with a couple bolt ons... maybe close to 400. and I normally run a 100 shot so there's more left. the cam is going in soon though so I am sure that with some tuning I'll be at or more than 300whp n/a.... then with the bottle I'll break 400... just a thought...

 

yeah i would do nos, i forgot all about that. i have been looking at the sts turbos too, they are pretty cool, and not that expensive at 3500 i saw on one site. mannnn im torn between both options, i guess it would be easier to just get the 5.3 and throw the diablosport and nos and some bolt-ons, but then again if i were to swap to a 6.0 then ill be much further along.

 

you would be much further along and if you ever decided to build a mean machine you would ultimately be in a better position with the more cubes you have. STS systems are somewhat incomplete so you would still need to buy blow of valves and fuel system upgrades.

 

awww well that sucks about the extra stuff u gotta buy. how much down time usually comes with doing the swap ? and how much would it cost to do the swap at a shop, since i have no idea at all how to do it ? thanks

 

what would i need to buy to go from 4.8 to 6.0 ??? thanks

 

i would just go g=for the 5.3. simply because you are going to be doing an engine swap in the middle of everything else. you said you need a daily driver. so..will you be able to do all that. and han dle your everyday stuff. at the same time?

 

yeah that is very true, when i had my 5.3 ecsb i loved it and now this will be a smaller truck so that would be cool . and maybe later on down the road when im more financially stable i can do a crazy build up. thanks for your input