98 burb ls swap suggestion.

[tallic68]

Ok.question for you guys.

I have a 98 suburban K1500. Body is in perfect shape. Trans is 4l60e fresh rebuild with all updates and couple upgrades. 140,000 soft miles. This thing drives great and looks better. It was in storage for 5-7 years and given to us by my father in law when my wife got pregnant. When I got it. I replaced the spider injection due to running extremely rich. Trans went out and had it rebuilt. Couple o2 sensors and some Nick knacks. Put a sound system in it and it is great. A little rough idle and rough hot start still after injection work. But runs and drives amazing.

Here is my issue. I bought a new boat and while towing to the river it struggles On highway. We only use 4x4 for the the boat launches. Never go off road. I have my 68 c10 with 5.3 and 4l60e to hot rod around in.

I'm thinking of swapping an LS in for some more power, fuel economy and reliability. It was the best thing I ever did to my 68 c10. Wish I had done it years before I did.

My question right now is would a 5.3 make a difference. Or should I go with 6.0. I'd like a 6.0 for the power but don't wanna go through the Hassel and added expense to swap the 4l60e for an 80 due to the 4x4 and the trans is perfect and very fresh.

Do you guys think the 60 would hold up to the 6.0 towing a pontoon boat.

Or would the 5.3 have the more power I'm looking for and be good to go with the fresh 60 I have.

You thoughts and recommendations. Thanks

[mongocanfly]

The 5.3 should be fine..I've had loads way bigger than a pontoon boat behind mine and it handles it with no problems

[Overdriven]

With some upgrades and a good trans cooler I wouldn't worry about the 4l60 too much. Just try not to make it shift from OD directly to 2nd, they don't like that too much. Might also want to keep it in D3 until you're up to cruising speed on the highway then shift into OD.

Depending on which 5.3 you get it isn't really much of an upgrade in power over the vortec 350. But if you have the 5.3 tuned you can get 20+hp gains at peak and usually at least that in gains at lower rpms. But if you're looking for stump pulling torque that won't shift out of overdrive going up hill then you need to pay the 6.0 tax.

[Bigdav160]

I would never think of doing such a swap. 2000 model and newer Suburbans are cheap. Sell your '98 and buy a newer one. I doubt you'll like the 5.3l towing in a heavy Suburban anyway.

ps, do not tow in OD with your 4L60e.

[mongocanfly]

Bigdavs got a good point...I believe that's what I'd do as well before I dropped a bunch into a swap

[57taskforce]

If you want to tow with a suburban I'd suggest an 01-06 with an 8.1. Mine pulls like a dream but then there's the gas mileage....

[tallic68]

Thanks for the input fellas.