6.0 or 6.2 instead of 5.3

[whylee]

Just wondering if anyone has swapped a 6.0 or 6.2 into a Alpha. Im looking to picking up a motor to build as a project. I do not know alot about these GM motors as far as what will interchange with the 5.3 items. Just curious besides tuning, what else is required in terms of parts that can not be transfered over from the 5.3.

 

[cgalpha08]

Why not just build the 5.3?

You can do a lot to that motor and get a lot of power out of it.

If I recall correctly one of the motors that is used in the vettes is the same physical size as the h3 alphas.

 

[USMC_TOP]

I believe all 3 blocks are the same size. I also believe you have to use a car intake not a truck intake for clearance.

 

[SedonaBound]

How much torque can the T-case take? That's the 64 dollar question.

 

[amrg]

Below is a build done by truckin web for the 5.3L.

Summary:

Stock engine + tune + headers : 360 hp, 385 tq

Add a mild cam: 436 hp + 410 tq

Add a wild cam: 510 hp, 450 tq

Stroker + mild cam : 505 hp + 500 tq

Stroker + wild cam: 600 hp + 545 tq

They even have material costs for each item (labour not included)

With a supercharger, you can expect 30-40% bump in those numbers.

http://www.truckinweb.com/tech/1208tr_5_3l_bow_tie_builds_mild_to_wild/viewall.html

 

[High Five H2]

they are identical, externally. the 6.2 comes with a 6 speed. that's the main reason I'd do the swap. I imagine the hardest part would be wiring and fabbing up a new tranny mount, which shouldn't be hard. then you'd need new driveshafts which is also easy.

 

[CaseyS]

Be careful chasing those peak numbers. Area under the curve and a big flat torque band is what you are after in a truck and off road vehicle. A big peaky cam that gives you power at 5800 rpm won't be the best unless you drive like a race car driver from light to light.

 

[4speedfunk]

I agree. Fat cams boost the power at redline but they often leave you with a mushy mid-range and poor bottom end torque. Big duration also means less vacuum and a poor signal for the EFI. So go mild.

There should be no wiring mods...V8 to V8 is a plug & play. Any fiddling would be done via the software.... And it would be required for a 5.3 build or a 7.4 vette motor. Any LS motor should use all the same sensors....but the parameters might need tweaked. I would stay away from the multi-displacement motors found in 1500s and Tahoes as they might have additional gizmos to deal with.

5cyl to V8 swap would be far more complex. Not only does it not clear the early firewall....it would require a V8 trans and the V8 harness at the very minimum. I believe the bell housing bolt pattern is different between the L5 and V8.

Surprised nobody has mentioned a 5.7L tuned-port motor. These are cheap, popular, and simple to control.....seen many installed in YJs, TJs, and buggies.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

the biggest issue of doing the LS/LS swap is, while they are all the same on the outside, internally, reluctor wheels tend to be the bane of swappers existence. GM changed the number of notches on the reluctor wheels in and around 2005 - but they didn't make a wholesale change, so two motors, of similar vintage could have different reluctor wheels. If they are different, at minimum you have to change the computer - but since about everything is interrelated from the computer, that change could make for numerous other changes down the line. I'm considering swapping my 5.3 for a 6.0 or 6.2 motor, but the first step of that question is computer interchangeability. The computer that's in the Alpha can easily handle more cubes, but again, the reluctor wheel issue is a big one (or not at all if you know that's an issue and mitigate it)

frankly, what I'd like to find is a 6.0 from a similar vintage H2 along with the 4L65e transmission. again, they bolt up, but there's more power and more beef in the transmission.

 

[CaseyS]

Are you talking the 58x vs the 24x reluctor wheel? Can't you tell the difference externally by the color of the crank angle sensor? FWIW the 06 I5 has the 58x wheel.

 

[4speedfunk]

As you have proved, (and me too with ABS wheels)...a custom reluctor wheel is not really an issue. Any CAD guy can draw one up in less than five minutes and send it to a laser-bed. Done.

 

[CaseyS]

http://www.teamzr1.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=download&Number=1190&filename=reluctor.jpg

The 24x is real wonky. It has like 2 layers of teeth. The main issue is not obtaining the reluctor, its that it is bolted to the crank, so to change it you have to drop the whole bottom end to get the crank out.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

granted, it's layers of complexity... but it's something that will really screw you up if you don't know that's an issue.

 

[whylee]

Good info. Im not really looking for max H.P. I just want to build a good strong motor. Since my 5.3 is already supercharged, I have plenty of power. I just love to tinker and build motors, its just something to do. Maybe I will try to find a 5.3 and go through it. Just want some good strong pistons a mild cam and maybe alittle head work to clean up the flow. Probably wont install it until my motor gives up.

 

[humvee]

That is some serious wallet tinkering right there. I can imagine bumping your gears up from 4.10 to 4.56 would compliment your supercharger nicely.

any pics of your rig?