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My VERY first post here! Im looking to do a 4.8 to 6.0 engine swap! Is it worth it?

Old Jul 31, 2016 | 3:43 PM
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Default My VERY first post here! Im looking to do a 4.8 to 6.0 engine swap! Is it worth it?

Thank you for opening my thread.

I am a BRAND new member here and this is my first ever post.

I live in the California BayArea.

I have an 05 silverado 1500 2wd extended cab. I have a 4.8 with 240k miles on her. I did intake, dual exaust, and pumped up PCM.

How difficult is to swap in the 6.0 and the larger tranny?

Im concerned about the $$$ to find a good and 6.0 and tranny.

AND to find a local shop I can trust that will do great work.

Am I looking at LEAST $6k to do this swap!?!??
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Old Jul 31, 2016 | 3:55 PM
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good question, I would like to know also. When my 4.8 goes, if ever, I was going to drop in the 5.3; which is pretty much just engine and pcm programming. You probably could get some built 5.3 that would put out some decent hp numbers comparable to the 6l....but if you want the trans option the 6l may be the way to go.
the 6.0 goes into a different frame so I wonder if there are any mount changes. Visually, the mounts look the same but there may be slight location differences.
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Old Jul 31, 2016 | 4:01 PM
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Thanks for your reply Tech2

yes, the 5.3 would be a HUGE upgrade over our 4.8. And there's a ****LOAD of them out there. But the 6.0 would be a HUGE upgrade over the 5.3.

from what I understand, the 4.8 and 6.0 use MOST of the same ****, except of course the tranny.
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Old Jul 31, 2016 | 7:57 PM
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for me it all depends on the cost for the 6l swap. At some point just getting a 2500 truck with the better suspension, brakes, coolers towing capacity is more cost worthy.
I had a 06 2500hd...way better truck than any 1500.


the 6l did go into a 1500 frame on the ss option.

Last edited by tech2; Jul 31, 2016 at 7:59 PM.
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Old Jul 31, 2016 | 8:02 PM
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Tech,

Buying a wrecked 2500 and swapping everything is probably the way to go.

But what would you with the leftover truck?
And you're probably looking at $4-5k for a wrecked 2500.

I'm pretty sure Chevy made a 2005 1500 with the 6.0
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Old Jul 31, 2016 | 8:11 PM
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Originally Posted by conan
I'm pretty sure Chevy made a 2005 1500 with the 6.0
yep the 1500 SS and the 1500HD...but the 1500HD used a 2500 chassis and drivetrain.


trucks are cheap where I am, I can get a working 05 2500 for 3000-4000

Last edited by tech2; Jul 31, 2016 at 8:13 PM.
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Old Jul 31, 2016 | 9:12 PM
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Damn!! I didn't know they pumped up everything around the 6.0 in the SS.

This means there's ALOT more involved in the 4.8/6.0 swap now.

I'm thinking closer to $10k when all said and done
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Old Aug 5, 2016 | 11:40 AM
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Default Engine swap versus upgrade

I had my 4.8L bored and stoked to a 6.27L (384 stroker kit) and it has performed awe some. Also had a Magneson Supercharger installed. Very reliable and stable.
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Old Aug 5, 2016 | 1:36 PM
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WOW!!!! Thanks Shocker!!!!!
I didn't even THINK about this route!

How much for the kit, super charger and labor?

And did you have to swap in a stronger tranny?
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Old Aug 10, 2016 | 8:03 PM
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If you want a 6.0 in your truck then you want a lq9 out of a Silverado SS or Escalade or Hummer instead of a 6.0 lq4 out of a 2500 HD. As someone probably said above.
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