2008 Suburban Engine Swap - 6.0 to 6.2

[swathdiver]

I have considered it. They use the same crankshaft. I did not know that about sleeves. I'll research that. $288 plus new rings, using the 6.0 crank (assuming it's good) and current 6.2 pistons is considerably cheaper. Now, I'd still have the rebuild kit (bearings, gaskets, etc.) and am still trying to find a quality one. If I don't open up the bottom end of the 6.0, then I'd save on the rebuild kit and only focus on the top end. I have some more thoughts/research to do for sure. Here it is the end of the week and I'm no closer to making a decision!

I feel like a teenage girl picking out clothes to wear. Every time I decide this is the direction I'm going, I change my mind. Last night I decided, but I'm waffling!

I hear ya, there's a lot of ways to go on this one. In a similar situation with our new truck. Bought a ton of parts for it and then my youngin' backed into a tree and now that has to get fixed.

 

[Rayyy]

How is the progress on this build?

I’m considering a 6.2 swap as well, so I’ve been following along.

Have you decided for sure if you’re steadfast on the 6.2, or rebuilding the 6.0 after all?

 

[avalonandl]

Stick with the 6.0 its a good engine

 

[strokersace]

So finally an update. Opted to redo the 6.0 verses go through with the 6.2. Talked to the machinist about new factory sleeves, and it didn't really seem all that feasible and much cost savings verses boring it and new pistons. By the time I did a new rotating assembly, it was going to be THOUSANDS of $$$ more than the 6.0. Talked to a local "friend of a friend" that has built and owns several LS' and he recommended the 6.0 for what we're using it for.

Took advantage of BTR's black Friday / cyber Monday sale and ordered everything from there. Including long tube headers and y-pipe. They had originally talked me into a Truck Norris cam. But after looking at the specs (212/224, .552/.552, 107 LSA) further and listening to countless videos of various vehicles with that cam, it was going to have WAY too lope at idle for my liking. I showed my wife one of the videos and her exact response was, "it sounds like it's either a race car, or something is wrong with that engine". So I opted for this Cammotion cam instead: https://cammotion.com/in-stock-ready-to-ship-cams/titan-2-ls-truck-camshaft-212-220-112-4/

It will be noticeable at idle, but not near as bad as the Truck Norris cam from BTR. I'm going to install the L9H injectors out of the 6.2 and put in the bigger fuel pump to match. Will trailer it to a shop in Kansas City to be live tuned. I think that's the best way to get it dialed in immediately.

Parts should all be here next week. Hope to have it back going by Christmas.

 

[strokersace]

All remaining parts got here yesterday. Unfortunately looking more at our schedule over the next 2 weeks, there's no way I'll get this thing back on the road before Christmas. I'm guessing early January at the soonest now. We'll see. Need to call the shops up in the KC area that were recommended for tuning to see what schedules they have too.

 

[swathdiver]

So finally an update. Opted to redo the 6.0 verses go through with the 6.2. Talked to the machinist about new factory sleeves, and it didn't really seem all that feasible and much cost savings verses boring it and new pistons.

Melling sleeves are less than $40 each, how much did the machine shop want to install them?

 

[strokersace]

Melling sleeves are less than $40 each, how much did the machine shop want to install them?

I can’t remember exactly to be honest. By the time I bought the sleeves, new rings, and had the machine sharp do the work, it wasn’t going to be much different than just boring and putting in new pistons.

Still needed to address the crank with that scenario too. So said eff it, scrapping the whole dang idea of the 6.2 and redoing the 6.0.

 

[strokersace]

Update without pictures....

Sold the 6.2 crap for pennies on the dollar for what I paid for it. Oh well. FINALLY spent time to work on the Suburban. The 6.0 looked fantastic internally when I opened it up. All parts are installed. Had to get new plug wires since the factory style AC Delco's are touching the headers. Went with some high dollar ACCEL ceramic 45* plug boot ones as I could get them immediately verses having some shipped from BTS or Texas Speed. Also swapping to stepped band clamps for the headers and y-pipe. The standard clamps are allowing for some leaks.

Still haven't installed the L9H flex fuel injectors, largely because I haven't figured out exactly what I need to do to modify the tank. And I'm having trouble finding a flex fuel tank out of a Suburban or Yukon XL to just swap in. If anyone has any insight on that, please let me know!!

Still haven't landed on a tuner just yet. Was going to trailer up to the Kansas City metro area, either to Justune or Killer Performance for some dyno tuning, but we'll see.

 

[strokersace]

Found a flex fuel tank local. And picked up a brand new oem flex fuel pump from a guy in town. Got all that swapped in last weekend. Waiting an a few injectors to show up to the dealership so I can finish installing those. Was recommended to call a local guy about tuning from a buddy of mine that is in the race car scene. Going to give him a shot. He’s in the town I work in so easy to trailer the car there. I’m hoping early next week.