The first sentence has to be, don't just say 6.0 because its bigger. At least give a reason that pertains to my unique reasons.

I have a 2002 Silverado, with 250K miles on it. I have had it for almost 10 years, and finally ready to "do more for what I drive." (I'm still debating on whether or not I will sell it in the near future. If I do it will be after my other vehicles is ready. Either a avalanche in the charcoal gray, or more likely an escalade ext (for the nicer interior, and already having a LQ9), then a nv4500 manual trans swap). For now, this question is about assuming I keep my Silverado.

Its a 2002 Silverado, reg cab, 2wd with a 4.8, (and why this thread even matters), a 5 spd manual transmission. I rev it higher than most, and torque just isn't as critical for me as when you're restricted with an automatic. After ten years, I'm just not sure how much that I've just adapted my driving style to suit the higher torque curve of the 4.8. I don't race people, or at lights, but I do accelerate quicker than nearly everyone, and mostly use my torque for cornering, and to get through and around traffic. I near floor it to get up to speed in second, and third if needed, and then straight to cruise in 4th or 5th. Lets call it slightly aggressive daily driving with a splash of auto cross. I shift what some would call excessively. I will downshift to 4th while doing 70, just so I have the torque to change lanes, (its not work, its control).

I have not yet towed anything with it in almost ten years. The 4.8 with generic tune is not bad power for me (in the good part of the curve). Budget is a definite concern, building or buying seems to be at least a thousand more for a 6.0. (I'm figuring $2-3K for a 5.3, $3-4K for the same built 6.0). I'm not against losing a couple mpg for cost. However being in south Texas, and most of the directions out of here are 200-500 miles with minimal gas stations, I'm against losing (2mpg x a tank is) 50 mile range. With the 4.8 and a bed cover I can get 22mpg highway.

Whether 5.3 or 6.0, I would keep it simple. The ideal plan would be a cam for mid to high rpms, and hopefully mpg. Gen IV internals (for strength, and just in case), a custom tune, and longtubes, and I really do think I would be happy with that. I have read that it can last, but the nv3500 that is in there now, I would at least want to see how it does behind a 5.3. If I put a 6.0 in there, then I feel like I would NEED to upgrade the trans to a nv4500.

I was going to add a poll, but I would rather see a reason for someone saying 6.0. I've had it for 10 years, and If I do this, the plan would be to keep it for a lot longer. I'm expecting this place to bias towards the 6.0, but what about for me?

 

It's kinda hard to make any comparison other than the size. There's really not much difference between them, EXCEPT that one is bigger than the other. About the only other thing is that in some years, some of the 6.0s (LQ9) came with the Gen 4 floating pin beefier rods while the other 6.0s and all the 5.3s still had pressed pins and lighter rods.

The bigger engine will require less throttle and less downshifting most of the time. Less RPMs altogether to get the same effect.

I don't think there would be any longevity issues with either displacement. Tearing up transmissions, maybe; but not the engine itself.

 

Although I'm a huge fan of the NV4500 swap if you don't plan to tow I don't think you will kill the NV3500. But I do remember my NV3500 being hard to get into 3rd sometimes where my NV4500 takes all the beatings like a good trailer trash pass around.

 

All sorts of judgement in their.


The nv3500 is rated enough for about a vehicle on a trailer, but I would want the nv4500 just to have the option to tow if I ever needed to. I think I would really prefer that gearing too. The nv3500 is enough to get you through an intersection, but If I'm rolling over 5mph, I'll start off in second anyways.

 

bigger = more torque

You always want more torque

 

That gave me a good laugh! Yeah I like the low gearing personally. I can leave it in 1st and crawl at a toyota rate in traffic without stalling or having to be on and off the clutch constantly. The rest of the time its 2-3-4/5 depending on the speed limit of the road so its like driving a 3 speed which I like.

 

Also if it were me I'd do a higher compression motor either 5.3 or 6.0 just for a little better MPG and snappyness. If you keep the NV3500 do a 5.3 if you go NV4500 do the 6.0. Since if you do tow you will greatly welcome the torque increase.