Among our conversations about solving the mid-east situation, the economy,
and social security, we started wondering about engine swaps.
If you came up with an LS6 from a Vette, will it bolt right in, and will a
programmer be able to set it up without having to go wild with the laptop?

Several of us have stock 5.3's in half-ton trucks, and that's what got the topic going.
Thanks for your help

 

Yes and no.

The LS6 shortblock will bolt in. The accesories are different as well as the intake and fuel system. A handheld could help, but would almost not be worth the effort. If you go throughthe trouble of changing the engine, get it tuned right. That would be like putting bald tires on a 50k car and then go drive in the snow.

 

Thanks Greggo, I agree that if something like this is done, it ought to be done right.
How much more is needed? Is the reason you're putting in 6.0's because
it's easier than a LS1-6 transplant?

 

no they are all the same. just use all your accesories and everything. just use the short block minus things like intake and oil pan. then sent the computer out and have it tuned and that is about it for the most part.

 

The LS1/6 are 350's, the reason for the 6.0's being so popular is price and cubes 364 ci. You can almost always get a 6.0 cheaper since it's an iron block vs alum.

 

Yes it will bolt right in. You can switch to the LS1 intake which is what Im in the process of doing but it is just alot of little **** you have to do. As far as the blocks(LS1/LS6 use the same blocks) it will literally drop right in no modiying anything really. When I pop my hood it looks like a stock motor unless you really look close and see the block is aluminum. The reason I went with a LS1 was becuase it was available the day I blew my motor and the price was right. Unless you just want to be able to say I have a LS1/LS6, or the price is really good on one, or you have access to one easily you should go with a 6.0l . The LS1 is aluminum and 80lbs or so lighter than the 6.0l so that is a slight advantage to it. The LQ9 is iron which is stronger and has little more TQ. Either way you go youll be happy. You dont see alot of truck guys goinf with the LS6 becuase they are so damn expensive and unless you can get one for cheap the only reason to get one is to say you have one which doesnt mean ****!

 

LS1/6 is 346

 

I appreciate all the help. So is a 6.0 swap a bolt-in and go with only the hand-held programmer, or should it be dyno'd?

 

Yeah the 6.0 is a striaght swap but I would definitly get a custom tune(mail order would be fine for you now or if you access to a dyno tuner) if your doing the swap!

 

Well, I'm not gonna be doing any of this stuff right now.
But it's not for the lack of wanting to. The spirit is willing but the
wallet is weak.
As I've told everyone on the CorvetteForum, I'm on
automotive-probation AT LEAST until we get some rather pricey
mods done on the house.
My whole reason for starting this thread was purely to learn
something so I could act like a know-it-all at work.