6.0 swap

[USMC09]

so did pretty much everybody here drop your own motor or pay somebody to do it? i can put in a motor but i dont think i can do the Gen III cause theres so much wiring.......how much did it cost if you did?

[RedHeartbeat]

Yeah, I did it all myself except the tune from Allen Nelson. I called around and found the complete LS1/4L60E with harness and pcm at a local salvage for just under $1600 out the door. Sold the 98 LS1 PCM on Ebay and got a 2002 PCM since it has a more aggressive processor and program. Rewired the 98 harness to use the 2002 PCM. Nelson can make you a custom harness with only a 4 wire installation to simplify the installation. You'll need the engine mount adapters, a high pressure pump such as the 255 or 340 LPH Walbro pump. An electric radiator fan is highly suggested or you can use the stock 6.0L engine driven fan and only lose a few HP driving it.

[USMC09]

HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!& #33;!!!!! you got an ls1 and transmission for $1600?!?!?!?!?!

[RedHeartbeat]

Yep, gotta shop around to find the deals. I can safely say I got the deal there. They didn't know what they had and I was glad to take it for the 1400 + tax they asked for.

[USMC09]

so if i was puttin in a 6.0 and lookin for a transmission at the junkyard, what model truck (or car) should i get one out of?

[RedHeartbeat]

Are you planning on doing a turbo or s/c? You'll want an LQ9 high performance model if no FI in the future. Otherwise any old LQ4 will do. The 4L80Es will all be the same.

[USMC09]

Nah i wont be doin a s/c for a looooooooooong time so i just wanna get the cheapest tranny that wont blow for now.......which trucks have the ones that will work?

[RedHeartbeat]

Any of them will work. All of the transmissions work excellent. If you go with the 60E you'll probably end up have to have it beefed up to handle performance usage. For a daily driver it will hold up just fine but what fun would that be to convert to the big 6.0 and not thrash it?

[USMC09]

i mean the heavier duty transmissions i wouldnt have to modify........if im cruisin the junkyard, which truck (or car) can i pull one out of?

[RedHeartbeat]

All the fullsize vans and trucks have the 60 or 80e's. 04 and 05s have the 65e, I believe. 3/4 and one ton trucks and vans have an option for the 80e. They cast the model number on the side of the transmission. It will be so much easier if you got the trans with the engine. The Camaro/Firebirds also have the 60e. I don't know of any rear wheel drive GM vehicles other than the Caprice, Cadillac and Roadmaster with a 60E. You'll most likely need the flywheel adapter for those, though, and they won't be built to handle the power numbers the 6.0L will be putting out.