Im about ready to pull the trigger on an engine swap for my 1/2 ton 4x4.It has a 4.8 and it has served me well for 92,000 miles but I need more power.A new truck is out of the question so heres my swap I want to do

2005 LQ4 with a cran cam.PN 1449551 210 INT & 218 EX at .050, .531 lift both int & ex.
1. I need headers & cold air intake.Any recommendations on who makes good quality stuff.A full Exaust will be added also.After its completed it will be tuned here locally.Thanks for any input.

 

I think that this would work pretty well for your purposes. What kind of transmission do you plan on using? How much weight do you intend to tow? What is your rear axel ratio? You'll probably need to switch to the bigger radiator for a 6.0.

Steve

 

Sounds like you're on the right track. You'll be fine with your stock 28" radiator though it never hurts to upgrade. That cam choice is perfect, IMO. Opt for a set of Thorley tri-y's. They'll offer much more low-to-midrange torque than others.

 

yea man. youll love the 6.0 torque, and that cam matt recomended will just make just add a ton more!

 

Thanks for the input.Truck is a 4x4 1500 with 3.73 gears.When I tow it hall a 1970 Chevy Caprice about 4500 + 1500 for trailer.At 70 mph it is at 3000 rpm.When Im not towing 70 mph is about 2100 rpm.The motor never see's 5000 rpm.The 4.8 just has no lowend tourqe and Im tired of it.Thanks

 

sounds good but i'll get a comp cam instead of a crane cam , just because that is what people seems to use alot more here...

 

I miss my 6.0 . . . .

I had a 222/224 566 568 -112 . . . it's in my sig . . . with no stall

 

I went from a stock LM7 to a stock LQ4... it made a huge difference in towing.. and a huge difference in boost!!!! And i have 3.42 gears.
I dont know much about cams but most the guys on here know their stuff..

 

I went from a 5.3L to a LQ9 6.0L in a Avalanche 4x4.I also installed a Comp cam with 208/212 and .554 lift.Corsa exhaust,CAI.
285's w/3.73.I love it.
4.10's,headers is on the wish list.
I'm sure you'll like it also,especially for towing.Good luck.

 

I made almost the exact same swap in almost the same truck, except I kept the cam stock and I have a radix. Now the 6.0 has so much torque it hardly ever goes into boost so I don't really need the blower. Do the swap. Believe me you will love it espescially for towing.