As most of you know I've been planning to get my extra set of heads worked on within the next month or two. For what I'll be paying on the heads ($1200-1300) I could get a used LQ4 6.0.

How much more power I could get out of a 6.0 if I switched over all of my current mods from my 5.3 to it (maybe a bigger cam-something like a 212/218 or maybe a little bigger)? How much could that knock off my track time?

If I was to get a used 6.0, what parts would be a good idea to replace? Kinda like an engine rebuild? I would definetly like to swap out the pistons, rods, rod bolts and stuff like that.

And if I was to get the 6.0 in, how would it work running off my computer that was dyno-tuned for the 5.3? I would drive it back to Futral, but would want to make sure it would get me down there.

Thanks.

 

Anybody...?

 

Your truck will run fine with the 6L and no custom tune. If you go with a large cam, it may need tuning, but it should be driveable.

I think going with those 40 more cubic inches will be a better choice than a set of ported heads. Just a 6L with at least a 212/218 cam and you'll be happy. Have the heads milled .030 before you install, and you'll be up neat 10:1 compression like the LQ9. Not only will you gain nice HP, but the low end torque will make you smile.

 

Oh yeah, many guys have swapped LS1s or 6Ls in place of their 4.8/5.3s and just ran the stock tune. Nothing really changed as far as electronics goes, so the PCM doesn't have a clue if its feeding a 6L compared to a 4.8.

 

Are you guys saying the 5.3 PCM will work with a 6.0 because it is "in the ballpark" or because there really is no difference?

 

There would be a slight tune difference from the factory between the two motors. But these two motors as so closely related that they are complely interchangeable. As far as the all the engine controls, they are exactly the same between both motors / trucks. PCM, coil packs, sensors, etc...all the same.

 

BigTex: I'd really like to get a LQ4 6.0 and had the heads ported & polished, valve job, and milled .030 along with a 212/218 cam or 216/220 cam (114 LSA & High lift), along with the mods I have now, 3.90 gears, 2600 stall and FMS dyno-tuning. How much faster do you think I could be at the track. I'm thinking somewhere in the 13s.

 

go with the 6.0, the big difference between the lq4 & lq9 is compression(deck the heads) and the tuning. I would even help you with the changeover

 

Thanks Blake! Sent you a PM

 

Back in the old days .... 3 years ago... A member installed a rebuilt 6L in place of his 5.3l in a reg cab chevy. It had a stall, mild cam, headers and a mail order tune. It ran a 13.5 without a power adder. I'm sure with todays parts, tuning, and knowledge that it would be in the 12s.

Stupidfast made like 350hp / 350tq on a stock 6 liter running a comp 212/218 low lift cam.

Blacksheep ran deep 12s with heads / cam and full bolt-ons.