new2thisforum

to be completely honest, i’m only 16. i have an understanding on engine tear downs and builds, but no experience. as far as i know i’ll be getting a free suburban early 2000s that i want the block for. i realize it’s not a 350 sadly, but it’s free. personally not a fan of anyone ls swapping anything, but i’d be building it anyway or mostly rebuilding. pretty sure it’s the 6.0, not certain. i have a fwd car now so want to keep that at least for the winter, and over that time build my own engine to put in a 3rd gen, which i’d like to get after i sell my current car. yeah i know it sounds crazy, but something i’d love to do. and if my parents would let me get that 3rd gen now that’d be great, but i can’t. which do you guys think will be the best to build for my money, a 5.7 or 5.3-6.0? yes i know the 6.0 is in a lot of trucks and as dumb as this sounds how would the engine and transmission from either the 5.3 or 6.0 fit in a 3rd gen? not sure of how big the 6.0 engine and transmission actually physically are, but obviously i know the displacement, and the 5.3 is small i know. how bad would motor mounts be? if all that seems to be okay for this car, that’d be great. i know tons of people 5.3 swap things like miatas so i should be ok. how much would it cost generally to rebuild either the 5.3 or 6.0 to stock? including honing, possibly use old crank, not sure. how much to add more power, like what are good heads and cams, would it be worth boring? any advice would be great. i know i can accomplish this and i know it won’t be easy. please don’t be “oh you stupid ****ing kid you know nothing...” it’d be great if anyone’s on this forum has done this exact thing, a truck engine in a camaro. sorry if i asked a stupid question or my spelling is off, it’s 4am lol. thanks for any and all help.

zrafferty

For letting swap there isn't a lot to it but for any help we will need to know what car you are planning on putting her in.
There isn't much different between a 5.3 and 6.0 other then 25hp in stock form.
Will need new motor mounts
Computer and wire harness (if your using donor you will be good)
Fuel pump capacity of 60psi. have to check if your fuel rails have return line as well.
Motor and transmission mounts
Also depends on car digital signal conversion box

new2thisforum

actually my dad will loan me the money for a camaro or trans am so i can keep my current car for now and build that engine instead, a 350 or 305. if a 305 i’ll probably only not use any original internals. any advice for a good rebuild kit, and also good cams with decent heads to go with it? thanks

zrafferty

The 305 and the 350 are both the same engine one just had more displacement so will be a bolt in application.
Be sure it has the 305 and not a 2.8 as there is a lot of additional money for adapter and different tranny setup
I don't do much internal engine work so can't do much on good parts.

new2thisforum

thanks for the reply. i knew they were the same block so it doesn’t matter to me either way. thinking of rebuilding either anyway maybe bore it out, not completely sure. possibly decent heads and cams, cheap intake and good carb. not looking to even have a whole lot of horsepower either, id be happy with 275. but heads alone can cost well over a grand though. gonna do more research, and hope to find a v8 3rd gen for under 3500, and start from there.

zrafferty

3rd gen SBC you can have for around 1k easy complete with accessories.atleast around my area

scooter

iTrader: (11)

The 4.8, 5.3, 5.7, 6.0, 6.2, 7.0 and LSX engines are all the same physical size externally, and are actually smaller then the SBC.

If you want to know more about the LS swaps, look in the LT and LS subforum to this one, at the top of the forum page

dmccain

iTrader: (2)

Get a 350. It's been working for millions of folks over 50 years.

QwkTrip

iTrader: (22)

I'm not sure the 6.0L existed yet. Probably a 5.3L, and an early one at that. Might be smart to see what casting number is on the cylinder heads because some of the early cylinder heads weren't very good.

Odds are you won't have to rebuild the short block at all. The truck heads are desired by the turbo crowd, so you can trade them for somebody with Camaro or Corvette heads and end up with a higher compression ratio. Combine that with a cam swap and it'll be a nice naturally-aspirated build.