5.3 or 6.0?

[t72ss402]

I am at a toss up from using the a 5.3 or 6.0.

The car is going to be a driver (not daily but driven a little more than on the weekends) all factory accessories such as a/c, power steering, and power brakes.

First how upgradeable is the 5.3s? Like maybe factory LS1 heads and intake, and GM hot cam kit. Will this combination be possible and what kind of power would this combination produce?

With this set up would you need to run the f-body computer, and harness with the LS1 intake?

Same combination for the 6.0. But want to look at using 4l60E trans for ease of installation.

The computer, would any computer work? If I am thinking right all you need to do is reprogram it with your set up and upgrades.

The 6.0 would be great but 5.3s are so easier to find.

 

[T5MalibuWagon]

If its just a driver and your not out to be the fastes guy in town than go with the 5.3. Heres a link that has some info on the little 5.3s and if I remember correctly there are a few links where mags floged them.

http://www.maliburacing.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=64543

 

[SkidmarkSS]

The reason i chose a 408 iron 6.0 is because of drag racing,if it was a streeter i would choose a 5.7 LS1 or 5.3,I drive a 435rwhp 2000 LS1 Camaro everyday with a beefy cam and it never breaks,very reliable stuff.

 

[StreetBu]

I'd go for a 6.0l myself, it's not that much more money for a 6.0 versus a 5.3l so do it right the first time. I'd probably leave the 6.0l bone stock and drive the heck out of it. If you want to go faster later, the hard work is done, slap a cam in it and have fun!

 

[G-Body]

Either way you will be happy. If you go with the 5.3L it will need a cam more than the 6.0L does. The 5.3L seems to have a steeper drop off on the torque curve.

You can run a hot cam although a lot of people say there are better aftermarket offerings out there. For the intake you can run the f-body one, but the truck one actually works very well. Keep in mind you have to mod the front accys a bit to run the f-body intake.

You can use truck or f-body wiring but the truck wiring will be easier (the truck and f-bod injectors and coils have different coonnectors.)

PCM is the same, just tune which ever one you decide to run. its just the operating system is what differs, the actual PCM does not(well except the 97-98 vette and 98 f-body stuff those use an older design PCM and the wiring is different.

A 5.3L should keep you happy on the street. Good for low 14`s in the qtr as a stocker. Theres really not that big of a fuel mileage difference between the 5.3L and 6.0L`s though. Seems to be only 1-2 Mpg to me.

 

[G-Body]

Almost forgot, if you get a 5.3L keep the 5.3L heads, swapping 5.7l heads on will decrease compression.

 

[t72ss402]

Thanks for all of your support It looks like on http://www.car-parts.com 5.3 or a 6.0 will be pretty close to the same price. I need to call the salvage yards and find out.