I am wanting to buy a rc/sb chevy, but I just realized that you cant get one from the factory with a 6.0. So my question is how much would the swap cost me if I bought one brand new with a 4.8?? Also, if I chose to just get the 5.3, how tough is it to make them run FAST?? I have a dodge ram hemi right now that runs mid 13's with just bolt ons and a superchips tuner...is that possible with a rc/sb 5.3??

Also, does anyone have a 5.3 running 12's on motor right now...no nitrous or other f/i??

 

To swap from a 4.8 to 6.0 would be the cost of the engine and tune. If you buy a used 6.0 then you will need to buy the correct flywheel depends on the type of crankshaft is the 6.0 engine.

 

The 5.3 cost at least $2k more than the 4.8. The money you save there you could use on one heck of a 6.0 and then sell the brand new 4.8 for some change as well to help support it. It would be a nice time to do a t56 swap too if you'd prefer a manual. If you get a 4.8 5 speed the swap would be that much easier. just need a ls1 flywheel & clutch. Don't have to modify the crossmember at all, it bolts right up and the driveshaft has to be shortened 2-3/4" and use a TH350 yoke unless you get a viper style T56. The shifter comes up in a different location than the 5 speed though.

 

Thanks...I'm going to stick with the automatic, but I am definately considering the 6.0 swap. I have already started selling parts off my dodge to do this. If I decided to get a 5.3 for now, what would it take to get me into the low 13's on motor?? I dont know much about Chevy because I have always owned Dodge Trucks, so I'm thinking about getting the 5.3 first, building that the best I can and then take whatever knowledge I learn and put that into the 6.0 swap later on down the road.

 

To get to mid/high 13's you would need all the boltons, CAI, HEADERS, EXHAUST, STALL, GEARS, PULLEY and a good TUNE. and a cam to go low 13's/Hi 12's. Don't forget slicks.

 

And build your tranny cause it won't like all those mods and a heavy foot.

 

Can you recommend which intakes, tunes, headers, ect... are the best for the 5.3?? I built my hemi on a budget and got it into the 13.9's with only about $800 in mods...I know it is going to cost me more than that to do it with the chevy, but I know the mods are endless because of the extra tuning options that I cant get with my hemi.

 

la Cuerva is correct! After all those bolt-ons, the tune is really going to determine if you wasted your money or not. You could have all those bolt-ons and still be slow because of a crappy tune. I would contact either Nelson Performance or Wait4Me (both are sponsors for this site). Give them all the specs on your truck and they should be able to hook you up with a bad *** tune. BTW, just like la Cuerva said, GET A BUILT TRANSMISSION! The stock 4L60E tranny in our trucks suck.

 

Any intake would work OK. I would recommend Pacesetter long tubes for headers.

 

The intake best is outlaw and s&b pacesetter headers, talk to some members that run 12s in the 5.3 and you might get some advice.