Engine Mod questions...?

[Copper&BlackYukon]

OK I'm pretty handy and knowledgeable for a 26 yr old guy, but when it comes down to the parts needed to increase performance in an engine I'm at a loss. I am in the market to replace my 155k 5.3 in my 02 Yukon for a 6.0 with some mods before I drop it in. I have some questions I know some of you on here can answer for me. I will be using it as a daily driver with a few WOT launches every day. and eventually even a supercharger or turbo.
What yr 6.0 from what platform sould I be looking for? if it matters.
I hear a cam is the way to go... But which one and why?
What else should I do to the engine before it goes in? and why?
What kind of header?
Should I be looking to change anything else while the engine is out?
it has 155k of mostly highway miles, but I imagine something else in there is wearing out.
If some of you could answer some of these questions in some detail I would really appreciate it. At least it will give me a place to start researching.

 

[RenegadeTahoe]

OK I'm pretty handy and knowledgeable for a 26 yr old guy, but when it comes down to the parts needed to increase performance in an engine I'm at a loss. I am in the market to replace my 155k 5.3 in my 02 Yukon for a 6.0 with some mods before I drop it in. I have some questions I know some of you on here can answer for me. I will be using it as a daily driver with a few WOT launches every day. and eventually even a supercharger or turbo.
What yr 6.0 from what platform sould I be looking for? if it matters.
I hear a cam is the way to go... But which one and why?
What else should I do to the engine before it goes in? and why?
What kind of header?
Should I be looking to change anything else while the engine is out?
it has 155k of mostly highway miles, but I imagine something else in there is wearing out.
If some of you could answer some of these questions in some detail I would really appreciate it. At least it will give me a place to start researching.

They did a 50 state legal motor swap in a Jeep Wrangler on X-treme 4x4, they listed the requirements as follows:

• Same or newer year
• Offered in one of the lines of vehicles (in other words, same manufacturer)
• Smog equipment intact

Since yours is an '02, just find an '02 or newer 6.0... don't remove the smog equipment, and you're fine. I believe the 6.0 was available in the Denali / Escalade for '02 as well as the Silverado's / Sierra's, so you're good there... :thumbsup:

If it's a daily driver, I would look at heads/cam and an intake. Go mild on the cam as it will be tough to drive. I'm not an expert at all with forced air induction, but I would prep for it during the initial setup if you're definitely going with a blower / turbo. If you have the cash, I would put a new tranny in it with the 'vette servo's... Jenna or Justin can go into detail on that.... there's a lot of power goodies you can do, but if it's a Daily Driver, you may suffer reliability / drivability.

 

[u2nv]

the only diff between a 6.0 and 5.3 is cylinder bore diam. so just pull yours and take it to machine shop and have them bore it out to a 6.0 then talk to them about some cam options your local machinist should know what works were you live ie altitude and can be advisable as far as blowers n such, cause you will need to de tune the motor to get the most of forced induction. dont forget you will need a custom tune for your ecm when your finished

 

[boostaholic]

Buy a lower mileage lq4 from any 01-04 yukon denali/sierra denali/Hummer/Escalade, they can be had for pretty cheap now days. How crazy do you want to go with the engine? Still need to tow a bit or you just looking for power? I'd register on www.performancetrucks.net there is alot of info on cams over there and some really sharp people who know these engines quite well. Straight off the bat I'd recommend:
Radix Supercharger (magnacharger-intercooled system)
Comp 212/218 114LSA cam or something similar
Dynatech/Stainless Works/or AEM longtube headers
Maybe springs/pushrods if you want but it really isn't necessary until you're >500whp
Big ass injectors and a really good tune (*cough*justin*cough*).
Finish Line Transmission Level 4 or 5 4L60E with a good converter
Larger capacity rear diff cover and possibly a detroit trutrac if you want your 10bolt to last

 

[Copper&BlackYukon]

I really don't want to bore out the 5.3 I have for a couple reasons. I am trying to have as little down time as possible, and I would like to purchase the 6.0 a head of time, to allow me the time to become familiar with the engine as well as install some of these upgrades I'm thinking about. I'm sure there has to be some additional ware to the engine like ware to the crank shaft journals etc....(Am I right for thinking this?) I will be changing out the tranny like you guys suggest, but I have a few more questions about that...
I have a 4wd does my tranny differ from that in a 2wd Denali, Sierra etc, or is that just the transfer case..?
If I find a good low mileage 6.0 and tranny should I get the package, or is aftermarket tranny that much better?
And lastly I will be towing the occasional trailer and don't want to loose much towing power if any at all...Should I not consider a blow or turbo if this is the case...?
Sorry for all the questions, Like I said, when it comes to engine mods and upgrades I'm lost?

 

[boostaholic]

You'll tow just fine with a mild turbo or supercharger, just keep towing in mind when selecting the cam and converter. I've seen lots of people tow with basic to ridiculous turbo kits on these trucks, just depends on how much you're towing. I'd look for a wrecked denali so you can steal the engine and trans (came with 4L65E trans which are slightly better). Honestly I'd just find the engine and call up vince at FLT so he can ship you a brand new built trans with the billet 4wd output shaft and all the goodies you'll need to get going. Lots of options here, just decide where you're going with the truck and I'm sure there are lots of setups you'll be happy with. You don't need a whole lot of internal engine mods for these LSX platforms, boost/fuel/timing/tuning will yield more power then you'll need...and a bit more for good measure.

 

[Copper&BlackYukon]

Boost, How will I identify a lq4?

 

[boostaholic]

Easiest way is the vin, otherwise buy whatever 6.0 is the cheapest (not the older iron headed 6.0 from the 99-00 2500). If you get an LQ9 for cheap you're golden either way, I just like the lower compression LQ4 for boosted applications (LQ9 has 10:1 vs 9.4:1 I believe).

 

[tybardy]

any idea why they changed the compression? which one came first? Seems like that LQ9 would ping with regular gas...

 

[boostaholic]

LQ9 is premium only, rods were a little better too but these blocks are good for 600+ as long as the tune is good. I hope to turbo my sh*t with alot of water meth and be around 500 to the wheels. Ditches better watch out for my ass!

 

[Yuke2K]

LQ9 is premium only, rods were a little better too but these blocks are good for 600+ as long as the tune is good. I hope to turbo my sh*t with alot of water meth and be around 500 to the wheels. Ditches better watch out for my ass!

:smilielol: :smilielol: :smilielol: :smilielol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[tybardy]

ahh yes... premium only... i remember those days. The N* was the same way. I should probably put 91 in my truck anyways but im too poor, haha

 

[boostaholic]

You'll need to run premium with a tune, def worth the extra $8 or whatever a tank my truck runs so much better with premium fuel.

 

[tybardy]

PREMIUM?!?! cant i tune this thing to run on watered down gas? :lol:

 

[Copper&BlackYukon]

PREMIUM?!?! cant i tune this thing to run on watered down gas? :lol:

I'm going to tune mine to run on hopes and dreams...

 

[Copper&BlackYukon]

I've noticed that aftermarket parts for our engines have different models for the 99-02 and 03-06. I was under the impression they were interchangable? Why does magnacharger have the two different models for our body style? Is it the compression ratio change?
I'm planning on starting my search for an low mile 6.0 this weekend

 

[Black Dog]

As stated LQ4 for forced induction, LQ9 for naturally aspirated. The cam you choose should definitely be chosen for what type of induction you're running, even to the point that if I had a grind for N/A I would change the cam when I went to Forced Induction. You asked why a cam is important, well the cam is everything; it's like the mechanical brain of the motor. This will determine power levels, HP and torque, at specific RPM's. As for the transmission; yes it should be built to accomodate the power. As for a difference in 4X4s, not sure but I think the only difference would be in the length of the tailshaft, could probably be shorter where mated to the transfer case. The shaft and housing can interchange, I'd imagine. Other than that the trannies should be identical.