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New member to the forum based in the Piedmont Triad area in NC.
I purchased a 2012 Tahoe SSV (5.3L LMG) a couple years ago and now has ~100k miles. Put a leveling kit, bigger wheels on it but now I have the power itch to swap the 5.3L for a 6.2L (possibly turbo) sleeper.
Looking for knowledge to make this happen and most sites and youtube videos I've seen reference this forum. I'm not in a rush since the 5.3 is still running strong and I've never done an engine swap before so I forsee a lot of reading and asking questions to get the right mix of parts. Looking forward to learning! My truck pic is below
I have an SSV too!!! But mine is an '02 and therefore superior 😏
the 6.2 swap is easy, if you get a truck 6.2 it's basically plug and play minus a tune
Keep things at 5-550whp to keep the 6L80 alive until you put a built one in
Flex Fuel pump should* support 500 easily, but only on 91. I would plan on building a big fuel system if you want to keep running E and you want more than 500
my Tahoe at 477whp was a flippin riot and my new build (with 6L80) is gonna be about 500whp at 7ish PSI and 4.56 gears. I want to keep power low to keep thing alive and make towing a more enjoyable, less taxing adventure on the cooling system
arthursc2 - thanks for the info. Can you share the engine/turbo/tranny parts you're using for your new 6.2 build. Your new setup sounds like a good starting point for the hp that I would like to create.
Dod delete with a turbo cam in the 5.3 and then throw turbo on.
not sure about your area but here 6.2L bring crazy money.
What kind of hp can a 5.3/cam/turbo combo create? Looking for a streeable 500-600hp combo. I found some L9H engines around here .. but sounds like it'd be worth saving the money if my current 5.3 can reliabily make that power. Thanks for insight - give me more options.
What kind of hp can a 5.3/cam/turbo combo create? Looking for a streeable 500-600hp combo. I found some L9H engines around here .. but sounds like it'd be worth saving the money if my current 5.3 can reliabily make that power. Thanks for insight - give me more options.
I'm certainly no expert on turbos, but the general rule of thumb is to take your "base" horsepower and multiple it by each "atmosphere" you increase on the turbo (at sea level of course.)
1 atmosphere is 14.7 psi.
A general equation for how much more HP you can make is to take your base HP and multiple it times a ratio of 14.7.
Example:
L9H base HP = 403
Let's say you run 8 psi of turbo boost.
Boosted HP output = 403 + 403 x (8/14.7)
= 622 HP
That's the theory at least. There's a lot more other variables. The guys here that have actual experience can chime in more.
500-600hp is a cake walk for a 5.3 with good fuel. Don't expect to make that on 87 octane tho.
We have stock gen 4 5.3s that have made 1600hp and live a couple years in race cars. Sure that's different animal but your limits will always be the fuel octane for power.
I've don't several 800-900hp turbo setups on 5.3s.
I'm certainly no expert on turbos, but the general rule of thumb is to take your "base" horsepower and multiple it by each "atmosphere" you increase on the turbo (at sea level of course.)
1 atmosphere is 14.7 psi.
A general equation for how much more HP you can make is to take your base HP and multiple it times a ratio of 14.7.
Example:
L9H base HP = 403
Let's say you run 8 psi of turbo boost.
Boosted HP output = 403 + 403 x (8/14.7)
= 622 HP
That's the theory at least. There's a lot more other variables. The guys here that have actual experience can chime in more.
Thanks - good to know. Even if that isnt exact its a good rule of thumb estimation!