6.0 Build & ????s

[BRONCMAN]

Hey guys, I posted this in another forum before i knew about this one, but would like to see what you all say as you are the gas engine guys! So here it is.

Hey guys. After the long debate on either just driving my truck until I can afford a dmax again or just building mine into a nice gasser rig, I have decided to build my rig up this summer hopefully. So, I had a few questions as to what components to go with when I do it. Currently my truck has about 175k on it & it rises pretty fast with an average of about 4k/month lately. My oil pump is getting on the weak side & im hoping it will last me until I can do an engine rebuild. I would like to gain some hp in the process without hurting my mpg worse than it already is as I do drive this thing a lot. I could have sworn I read somewhere (tried to find it) about putting 5.3 heads on a 6.0? Does this actually help or no? If so, what version of the 5.3 as I would assume the same gen as my truck? For now the truck will stay N/A, but may see a turbo/ supercharger in the future if the price is right. What cam would work best? Pistons, valve springs, LT headers, etc? So basically my goal is to squeeze as much power as possible out of the motor while still having it reliable & economical as possible. For tuning i would love to get efi live, but am thinking of a diablosport for the cost savings while still being custom tunable.

Thanks in advance for helping me get my list going.

Bill

[txarkitekt]

Hey Bill. Since you have a 2500 and iron head 6.0L, you prolly get pretty bad mpgs. There are a few things to help.

You have a CAI...LT headers will be a PITA considering it is 4WD. There are people who have actually made LT headers work, but some small fabrication and custom exhaust work is needed. I would do UD pulleys also.

Your iron heads are fine, but they just weight more than the newer (2001+) aluminum heads do. They flow pretty well. The 317s you have now are fine, plus they will work better for FI in the future. But if you want to go through the trouble now, 5.3L heads (706 or 862) will bump the compression and give more power. It would NOT be good to run the 5.3L heads and FI.

I would not do pistons now...wait for the build later when you have the block and rotating assembly rebuilt for FI.

You can do a cam--and then valve springs would be required if you go above .540 lift. A cam may or may not make mpgs better, but in most cases, it goes down 1 mpg or so. A custom tune will be the best since it can adjust more parameters than just a handheld. Save your $$$ and get a custom tune. It is well worth it.

[BRONCMAN]

Thanks a lot! I have decided to go efi live as I have a friend who is a tuner for diesels with efi live & can program it, but is not familiar with writing tunes for gas rigs. I just need to find a good writer for the gasser. What cam would you recommend? As far as exhaust I heard shorty headers are basically a waste of money from a performance aspect. I just want to make sure I got all my ducks in a row when I start this. As far as MPG. I usually get 13-14 mpg. The best I ever got was 15 mpg driving at 60 mph (2000 rpm) cruise. If I can help it I dont want my mpg to drop. Im also thinking of electric fans.

[Sizzle Chest]

Stainless Works longtubes will bolt right up.

[BRONCMAN]

Thanks sizzle. So I take it those ebay headers wont work? Speedy something was the brand??

[Sizzle Chest]

Not familiar with those. I'd be skeptical though. Are they advertised to fit 2500HD 4X4s?

[BRONCMAN]

Here is the link. 99-00 01 02 03-05 CHEVROLET SILVERADO LT HEADER+Y PIPE : eBay Motors (item 180411738801 end time Jan-22-10 17:48:28 PST)

It says LT trucks, but mine is a Light Duty, not an HD, so I dont know if it would fit.

[6.0vortecchevy]

Mines a 2500Ld, they will more then likely fit since mine did. I got lpp tho.

[BRONCMAN]

Thats good! I need to do something soon. This truck just feels slow to me.

[txarkitekt]

...What cam would you recommend? As far as exhaust I heard shorty headers are basically a waste of money from a performance aspect. I just want to make sure I got all my ducks in a row when I start this.... Im also thinking of electric fans.

Since you don't have many mods or a stall, I would say something like 216/220 .535/.542 114 LSA. I would not do electric fans on a 3/4 ton truck if you plan on doing any towing.

Here is the link. 99-00 01 02 03-05 CHEVROLET SILVERADO LT HEADER+Y PIPE : eBay Motors (item 180411738801 end time Jan-22-10 17:48:28 PST)
It says LT trucks, but mine is a Light Duty, not an HD, so I dont know if it would fit.

See, those run into a Y-Pipe. Your front driveshaft will be in the way with that setup. And where it says "LT trucks," it is talking about Long Tube Headers for a truck...not a "LT truck."

Mines a 2500Ld, they will more then likely fit since mine did. I got lpp tho.

LPP is a great product. Click here.