converting my 5.3 to a 6.0

[TWITCH101]

So I think my 5.3 is on its way down the hill and I'm going to try and find an lq4 or lq9 to replace her.

I've done my HW for the most part and figured out what I'm getting into as far as getting a new clutch plate and an ecm tune. Other than that it seems to be plug and play.

What I'm wondering is would I be getting in over my head trying to do this swap on my own? I have a drive-on car lift that I can use to get under the Yukon safely but I've never pulled an engine or tranny before so I'm kinda questionable about what to do and where to start.

Could I do the swap very easily without having to pull the tranny or would it be easier to have it out?

Oh and BTW its a 4x4

 

[Trippyjoey]

Well if you are dropping in a 6.0 Crate engine then it would be easy to drop in, just connect the sensors, fuel line, and the transmission to it..
If you are planning on modifying the 6.0 later on for more torque you might as well switch the 4L60E for a 4L80E while you are at it since they are much tougher than the original 4L60E.

 

[TWITCH101]

nah I'm just replacing the motor. I don't plan on doing any internal work. At least not for a long time.

 

[bkboatnsleds]

I think this question is hard to answer as we dont know your mechanical ability, but it is all plug n play...

 

[Kman]

On a 2001 is a 6.0 plug and play? Don't you have to get a different cross member?

 

[bkboatnsleds]

Only need the cross member if you plan on changing to the 80 series trans.. Yes, plug n play.

 

[TWITCH101]

well, I know that certain models I have to use the flexplate from my 5.3 if I want to use the 4l60e.

 

[Kman]

Only need the cross member if you plan on changing to the 80 series trans.. Yes, plug n play.

Wow I had no idea. Is there any threads online with in-depth instructions and pictures on how to do the swap?

I know the electronics changed in 2003. If I was to use a 2003-2006 LQ4 or LQ9 would anything have to be changed on the motor for it to accept the 2000-2002 electronics?

 

[TWITCH101]

I read that the electronics were all the same from 01-06....???

 

[TWITCH101]

Since we are on the issue...I heard that the 6.0 and the 5.3 used the exact same intake manifold, throttle bodies, and headers.....can someone verify this? also, what else will work? I'm assuming that a/c compressors, alt, and ps pumps are exactly the same as well.

 

[bkboatnsleds]

Wow I had no idea. Is there any threads online with in-depth instructions and pictures on how to do the swap?

I know the electronics changed in 2003. If I was to use a 2003-2006 LQ4 or LQ9 would anything have to be changed on the motor for it to accept the 2000-2002 electronics?

For what its worth - I took my 6.0L i bought and took everything off it it.. Left my AC all hooked up in the truck.. dropped in the 6.0 and bolted all my 5.3L stuff on it.. Same blocks - I don't think you would run into an issue.

---------- Post added at 01:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:19 AM ----------

Since we are on the issue...I heard that the 6.0 and the 5.3 used the exact same intake manifold, throttle bodies, and headers.....can someone verify this? also, what else will work? I'm assuming that a/c compressors, alt, and ps pumps are exactly the same as well.

Yep, all will work... and you HAVE to use the exhaust manifolds off your 5.3 to match the y pipe.

---------- Post added at 01:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:21 AM ----------

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.130476948237.132489.629993237&type=3&l=5d40096e5e photos...

 

[TWITCH101]

For what its worth - I took my 6.0L i bought and took everything off it it.. Left my AC all hooked up in the truck.. dropped in the 6.0 and bolted all my 5.3L stuff on it.. Same blocks - I don't think you would run into an issue.

---------- Post added at 01:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:19 AM ----------

Yep, all will work... and you HAVE to use the exhaust manifolds off your 5.3 to match the y pipe.

---------- Post added at 01:22 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:21 AM ----------

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.130476948237.132489.629993237&type=3&l=5d40096e5e photos...

So I was thinking about doing this swap again and I have one last question. I think I remember reading somewhere that the earlier(01-02) did not have a fuel return line and the (03-06) motors had one. Is this true or am I imagining things? I need to know since I'm swapping a 2004 6.0 with a 2001 5.3

 

[Colby82]

So I was thinking about doing this swap again and I have one last question. I think I remember reading somewhere that the earlier(01-02) did not have a fuel return line and the (03-06) motors had one. Is this true or am I imagining things? I need to know since I'm swapping a 2004 6.0 with a 2001 5.3

When I swapped the 2005 6.0L into my 2004 truck I used my 2004 intake manifold....so the fuel system remained the same in my truck. I only used the block, heads and oil pan from the 6.0L if I remember correctly. I could be wrong, but I thought the older stuff had the fuel return and the newer stuff doesn't have the return line? I very well could be wrong since it's been a few years ago when I did my swap.

 

[TWITCH101]

When I swapped the 2005 6.0L into my 2004 truck I used my 2004 intake manifold....so the fuel system remained the same in my truck. I only used the block, heads and oil pan from the 6.0L if I remember correctly. I could be wrong, but I thought the older stuff had the fuel return and the newer stuff doesn't have the return line? I very well could be wrong since it's been a few years ago when I did my swap.

You could be right. I just dont understand how changing the intakes could solve that issue. how does that fix he fule line?

 

[Z-56 Hoe]

It's a pretty easy swapp. You won't retreat it. Are you gonna freshen up the block first?

 

[Colby82]

You could be right. I just dont understand how changing the intakes could solve that issue. how does that fix he fule line?

The fuel line attaches to the fuel rail on the intake manifold....not the engine. So if you take a 6.0L block and heads, mount your existing intake manifold onto it, then fuel system plumbing doesn't change. This is what I did, even though the 6.0L intake was similar to my 4.8L intake manifold. The flex plate was different, but that was because the 6.0L had a 4L80E mounted to it and my truck was equipped with a 4L60E. (A word of caution...make sure your injector duty cycle is not maxed out trying to feed the 6.0L)

See the fuel line input here: