Need help deciding
 

Alright guys, just a matter of opinion here.

Got an 83 Reg cab short bed dually as a new project to tinker with aside from the 00 rcsb. This truck is an extremely rare one from what i've found and it has a running 350sbc quadrajet with a turbo 350 trans.

Now I have a strong, tight 5.3 i'm about to take out of the '00 in a month or so, AND i have a 6.0 block I am going to build back with stock internals.

The question here, is whether to but the 6.0 in here with the turbo 350 for a towpig with a nice 215/223 comp cam for towing OR put the 5.3 with a 212/218 torque cam and the 4l60.

Reason that I am thinking about the 5.3 with 4l60 for fuel economy. It would still have plenty of towing power for what I need (occasional load of mulch, four wheeler, maybe a light car) so I'm not looking to pull the house down. And might turbo the 5.3 later down the road, because a damn dually should have a damn turbo in my opinion haha. So what's your input between these two choices? Discuss
:popcorn2:

Here is a pic of the soon to be victim. "DONKEY" needs a bath bad. More to come.

Do you already have the parts ? I would do 6.0 with 4l80e for towing. More power and better stronger trans. Plus a lq4 with a 4l80 will love boost.

ive got the 6.0 block, and would have rods and pistons if someone around here would answer a private message. I do have a running 5.3 and 4l60e

Im removing a 5.3 and replacing with a 6.0. I guess depends on what you want to do with it. Sounds like the 5.3 would be the cheaper option for you if that plays a part in deciding.

lq4+4l80e+boost=:burn::drive:


my 04 RCSB has a lq4/4l80e swap its not tuned and i'm getting 16mph highway and 12mpg around town but I cant keep my foot out of it :devil: tire wear is a problem

I wonder the difference in fuel economy now between the 5.3 and 6.0's

I just put a 210/218 .584/.584 116lsa cam in my 2001 5.3L ext cab and it has tons of tq for towing and plenty of power up top.

I get around 20-21 going 80-90 on the highway with 3.42s

Check out the tread "Got the cam in and installed last night" I have some videos of it dd and WOT

+1 :cheers:

If you're going to drive the truck a lot, you will want the overdrive trans.

Definitely want the overdrive for sure. But i HAVE a 4l60e built well, i DO NOT have a 4l80. I also HAVE a complete 5.3 that's low mileage with fresh lifters and head gaskets and I have a stock 6.0 block and crank, but no rods, or pistons.
My 2000 is getting the hot rod motor so this is trying to just use up some leftovers to make it a nicer truck than that 125hp 350 with the carb.