"best" year LSx engine for OBS swap?

[Norcalz71]

i have heard from various sources that a 2002 6.0/4l80e combo would be my best bet for the swap, believe has 317 heads and also uses the 0411 PCM which can easily drive all my factory gauges and functions. is this in fact the best year? what are the pros/cons of the various year models, i know at some point they switched to electronic throttle/fly by wire, when was this? any other things that would make a swap into an OBS truck more difficult? i found possibly a good deal on an 03 6.0/4l80e so if thats going to be just as straight forward of a swap as the 02' year model would, i might have to jump on it

[LS1GMCTruck]

Totally depends on your intentional use of the truck. Don't know if there is such thing as a best engine/transmission. If your going to use the truck as a daily distance driver only, the cost effective(but plenty powerful) 5.3 is a good choice. If your going to tow a lot, or just want the most power & durability for racing, the 6.0 or LS2 might be your cup of tea... Personally, I would'nt want the drive by wire, but thats just me. Also, sometimes, theres a budget to consider.

[Norcalz71]

right well im pretty set on the 6.0, im mostly concerned in this post with the changing electronics from year to year which could possibly complicate things. does an 03 still use an 0411 PCM and have a cable throttle?

[slowsierra93]

03 has drive by wire.