It should handle a stock motor fine, all the trannies are the same, But if you are planning of building it up, you might as well save yourself the hassle and build it up a little now.

What exactly are your plans? Even if you plan on staying stock you should at least do some kind of torque converter while the engine is out

 

Yes, no less than 3000

 

right now my plan is just to get a bigger engine really... I am getting pretty good at tranny installs so I can drop that at any time and do a TC. Unless you guys think it is something important I should really look into doing now. I am not trying to break anything of course.

Does anyone have any idea what a new harness, pcm, or anything else little that I am going to need to change might cost me?

 

looking at this swap realisticly,the blue book difference between two identical trucks one having 5.3 the other having 4.3,the book difference is about $1200.Next,you may know more about smog in your state than anyone but my understading is that when you go in they would notice you went from a v6 to a v8.Then what do you do when they fail it?

 

I agree with others
might as well go for the 6.0
I look at major recycle yards
They will sell you the engine, trans, harness, and ecu
as a complete take out.
Here are a couple
next part
midwest recyclers
LKQ corp
Triplett
Stricker Auto
----
all have websites
Helps if your have someone in the business - who can
get the price down for you.
What I would do
Find a low mileage assy out of wrecked unit
esp if it was hit in the rear or side.

 

6.0L its the ticket! While you're out and about trying to find one, keep an eye out for a 6.0L and 4l80e package deal. The HD tranny will become a great asset once you start building up that 6.0L.

Gotta love the Victory red, RC sportsides!

 

A women who actually wants a faster truck..... And where are you from again Sarah?

 

That makes sense about the tranny... might as well upgrade it now. I think I am going to keep my old engine so I can put it back in come somg time like my roommate suggested.

Im here in Sacramento, CA. My mom races so I guess you can say it is in my blood to go faster
Here is a pic of my mom at the track...

 

I don't think your 4L60E will fit a 5.3,the 4.3 has a different pattern on the bellhousing and a different flywheel.Find a engine and transmission combo with harness and PCM then drop them in as a unit.

 

Thats right, I forgot that the 4.3 has the older style bolt pattern, But you can just get the bellhousing for a newer V8 and bolt it on, since they have a removable bellhousing now