DarkblueTA

Hey guys,

I'm thinking of picking up an 02-06 1500 pickup. It will be a daily driver and be my tow vehicle. I have an 01 Camaro SS that I want to start racing at HPDE's but that means I would have to tow the car to Arizona or California (since the porsche out here get mad when a lowly F-body or Mustang pass them, so they don't invite us out anymore).

So here is what I am asking. For those of you who have/had a 5.3 with mods (LTs/exhaust, cam, stall/tune, etc) what are you mods? My main concern is how does it tow up hills? We've got a few long and steep stretches out here.

Also, if any of you had a 5.3 (stock or modified) and then swapped in a 6.0 (stock or modified), would you recommend it? (Please list the mods for either engine)

Thanks in advance!

GRRR65GTO

Towing aside theres a big differance in gas mileage between a 5.3 and 6.0, my 6.0 gets 12 most of the time where as 5.3 will do 15 or even maybe 18 on the highway. Youre not towing anything massive so I dont see why youd have a problem with a 5.3

gamble686

iTrader: (3)

The difference in towing will be fairly dramatic from a 5.3 to 6.0 as the power is night and day. A 5.3 is putting out 200-215hp/tq to the wheels from the factory a 6.0 is closer to 250-275. In a 1/2 ton you will get a little better mpg than a 3/4 ton. You will love the extra power and simplicity of a stock motor making similar power to a cam/Bolton 5.3L. I bet with a tune, and a couple cheap boltons a 6.0 will be right around 300-320hp/tq while staying rocksteady reliable.

BigKID

iTrader: (5)

My Tahoe with a 5.3L struggles up steep grades with the truck in tow. Only mods to the 5.3 are a tune, muffler, cai and e-fans. My gearing with 33's and 3.73 rear is not all that optimal either. Now for my opinions... In a lighter configuration truck with the right gearing, a bolt-on 5.3L should tow a 4th gen f-body quite well. However, a bolt-on 6.0L will tow circles around an internally modded 5.3L.

Chevy_King1500

iTrader: (7)

buy a diesel

7.3 are fairly cheap now and reliable


whats your budget

GMCtrk

iTrader: (27)

Wrong. The difference in mileage from a 5.3 to 6.0 in a half ton will be negligible. Comparisons to a 2500 are irrelevant as a 5.3 in a 2500 would probably get worse mileage than a 6.0.

Ive pulled down 23.5 mpg over a 250 mile trip albeit flat with a stock lq9, 4l60 and 3.42 gear. Power delivery will be night and day over a 4.8/5.3, especially climbing grades.

DarkblueTA

I have been thinking about that. I have been reading up on the ford idi diesel (add a turbo or buy a 94 7.3 idi) and they do really well. Easy to work on and really cheap vs other diesel motors. (Ease of being able to work on it is a huge thing in my book...then again, I do own an f-body. )

Budget would depend on the price of the truck. I'm looking at spending no more then 15k on the truck/mods. I would go higher for the right truck.

Other engines/trucks I was looking at are...
- F-150 with the 4.9 straight 6 or 5.0v8, both with a manual.
- Dodge Rams with the newer 4.7 or hemi (including their new 3.0 diesel but probably out of my price range).
- The GM twins with a 5.3/bolt on engine or finding one with a 4.8/5.3 that needs replaced and throwing a 6.0 in it.

I had a Titan and although it towed good, what a POS. If you think the 4l60e transmissions are bad, they're great compared to the Titan transmissions.

DarkblueTA

Understand where your coming from, I think you are comparing a 6.0 in a 2500 to a 5.3 in a 1500. If I do either, it will be in a 1500.

DarkblueTA

Exactly what I was thinking.

Thanks for the input on your Tahoe/5.3. I do agree with the rest of your post.

bobfig

imo with $15k you should be able to go with a decent 5.3l and slap a supercharger on 5-6lbs with exhaust and tune. also a trucool would help with the long grades your climbing to keep the transmission happy.

i just dont see a real need for a diesel if all your going to tow that car

i never towed with my truck so i cant really comment on how well it would do but i think it would work if need be. just keep in 3rd while going up. i have the airaid mit, catback, blackbear, vette servo, and trucool. my rear is 3.73 on 31.6" tires but next set i plan on going down to some 30-30.5 tires.