LS engine question

[misternash2]

i talked to one of my buddies that works at a salvage yard. he made me two deals. just curious what you all thought about it.

1. 5.3 and 4l60e out of 01 silverado. 90,000 miles $1000 bucks

2. 6.0-04 model year 60,000 miles and a random 4l60e for $1750

will a 4l60e hold up to a 6.0 or should i upgrade to a 4l80e?

what are some potential that i'll have with the computer not buying a matched up motor and trans?

i'm mostly looking for mileage, but 6.0's got bragging rights!! i'm pretty interested in going 6.0 if it's not gonna be a major PITA getting it all lined out computer-wise.

[78-5.3]

the 5.3 and 4l60e for $1000 is about what you would pay normally!!! i paid $450 for my 5.3 and a 98 4l60e for $300 but you must use a crank spacer for a non LSX transmission !!! make sure you get the ECM WITH YOUR ENGINE 6.0 dont have a huge braggin right over the 5.3 and for the extra cost of the 6.0 and the hassle of a 04 DRIVE BY WIRE i would save the bucks and go 5.3 L the 4l60 e will work fine with the 6.0 !! and will last!! if you are hard on it like anything else it will give out!!!
this is my opinion 5.3 has plenty of power !!!!
make sure you get everything with the engine and trans including wiring ,ECM, fuel lines etc etc
oh you can use about any 4l60E AND HAVE THE COMPUTER OPERATE IT THIS includes non LS trans

[Thealien]

Just wondering why you think drive by wire is a hassle?

[3r!c84]

plug and play ? right

[glock35ipsc]

If it is mileage you are after, go for the 5.3. I LOVE mine and have absolutely NO regrets getting the 5.3 over a 6.0.

As said already, get everything you can from the donor vehicle. The PCM won't matter a whole lot, but try to get one as close to the same year as the engine.

I absolutely prefer drive-by-wire over drive-by-cable. Other than modifying the pedal to fit, it really is plug and play. And if your truck has cruise, hooking up the cruise involves hooking up a total of four wires. The other bonus is a cleaner install, no throttle and cruise cables and no cruise module.

If you end up with a 04 or older, try to snag fuel rails from an 04 or newer. There will be only one fuel line to run with the > 04 rails. Again, cleaner installation.

[misternash2]

at first i was worried about the DBW but once i saw your thread it was apparent that that was in fact easier than DBC. i am fairly handy with a grinder and welder, but i'm in way over my head with the computer stuff. basic wiring doesn't scare me off, i just haven't been around computers enough to feel that confident as far as what can be done. i know they're supposed to be infinitely tunable, i guess i just need to hang out with the f-body crowd for a while. if they will let an 85 shortbed in their club. LMAO

[glock35ipsc]

The only problem I had with the DBW was the fact the recyclers sent me the wrong pedal and harness. They sent one from another truck, and was the wrong year. They tried to argue, but since there was only a certain pedal that works for the 06-07, they were busted. They eventually sent me the right ones. Plug-n-play!

When it comes down to it, wiring one of these really is just basic wiring. The last time I messed with a computer controlled vehicle was probably 1992, so I went in to it with about as much knowledge as you. If setting the harness up is too much for you, spend the $360 and sent it out to be redone and the PCM programmed. If you have someone that can do dyno tunes, talk to them too.

[Ceeten]

Sounds like a good price on that 6.0 combo. Sure can't buy one for that around here.

[78-5.3]

Originally Posted by misternash2

at first i was worried about the DBW but once i saw your thread it was apparent that that was in fact easier than DBC. i am fairly handy with a grinder and welder, but i'm in way over my head with the computer stuff. basic wiring doesn't scare me off, i just haven't been around computers enough to feel that confident as far as what can be done. i know they're supposed to be infinitely tunable, i guess i just need to hang out with the f-body crowd for a while. if they will let an 85 shortbed in their club. LMAO

its all personal preferance it was because the small hassles with glocks tac mod , wrong pedal and harness. i read on the post that i decideed against DBW IT WAS way easier with the cable i just did that installed it! no pedal mods, no worrying about extra wiring, it was simple like any other conversion i have done! hook up the cable and it was right!!! but as i stated in my first post that my own personal preference!

[misternash2]

i can see your point, different people doing different things is what makes the world go round. i think i'll shoot for DBW and fewer miles than the 01 they have on the shelf.

here's a list i found on some random website for needed wires. anything else i can cut and cap, right? then have the pcm tuned to clear the unneeded stuff. (rear 02's, vats, etc)
IAT Sensor Connector
IAC Sensor Connector
TPS Sensor Connector
Manifold Absolute Pressure Connector
Mass Airflow 3 wire Connector
Cam Position Connector
Crank Position Connector
Electronic Coolant temp Connector
Injector Connector
Coil pack Connector
Knock Sensor Connector
Vehicle Speed Sensor Connector
Front O2 Connector

Electronic Throttle Body Connector
Gas Pedal Connector
Manifold Absolute Pressure Connector
Mass air flow 5 wire Connector
Cam Position Connector
Crank Position Connector
Electronic Coolant temp Connector
Injector Connector

plus some extras. fuel pump hot wire, MIL light wire, speedometer signal wire, and probably some other stuff i can't rattle off the top of my head. i'll just have to figure out what i've got when i get it, get a wiring diagram, a bottle of advil extra strength, and some wire cutters.

EDIT: i'll have to go wire by wire and decide what to cut and what to keep. that's not a cut-and-dried list.

[Thealien]

Lt1swap has a detailed wiring description with pictures and what is and isn't needed. There is a link in the thread in my signature.

[68 TT]

The 5.3 in my Tahoe has plenty of power and gets decent mileage. It is rated at 110 hp higher than the 350 in my 78 and it gets nearly 50% better gas mileage.

I would go with the engine & trans that are a matched pair from the same vehicle. No connector changes to worry about and the stock PCM tune will be dead on for it. As was stated earlier try to get everything from the same vehicle to greatly simplify things and eliminate any possibility of year to year incompatibility.

Most 6.0's came with 4L80E's so chances are the PCM will need more work and the wire harness need modified even more to use a 4L60E with it so it will cost you even more money to go this route. If you aren't getting the PCM & trans that came with the 6.0 I wouldn't pay the extra money for it. I know my friends Escalade EXT came with a 6.0 and 4L60E so you can find them paired together stock.

For less money than the 6.0 upgrade will cost you can do a cam swap in the 5.3 and build more power than the stock 6.0 makes plus it will sound better too. The 2004 Z06 Vette cam and yellow stripe springs are cheap brand new from Chevy and are a great upgrade.

[78-5.3]

i know a guy that will modify your harness for just over 200 buck and does a very good job!!!

[gchemist]

How about a 77 with an install?
http://www.hotrodlane.cc/77chevytruck/77chevy.htm

I would go 5.3 for a daily driver. 6.0 for a work truck or custom rod. If you carb a 6.0 with minor upgrades, 400+ hp is easy!