You Need to Consider These Things Before 6.0 or 4l80e Swapping

We’ve had some questions so here are some answers about what all we had to do to 6.0/4l80 swap our 1500 z71 suburban.

[@trove1312]

**Correction: Transfer case is 246, I don’t know where I came up with 471 number!

[@Wicked_RotF30]

Great info. Was thinking about doing this for my Z71 that I want to overland and tow with. Alco considered buying a bigger tow rig like Excursion/Super Duty which may happen. I have an 05 Suburban Z71, 07 Yukon that I plan to keep as a pavement princess. I had great experience with Fords 4.6L 2v. I miss the crew cab 4x4 F150 I had and lost during a bad time in my life. My OBS Silverado barely gets driven now as I daily the Suburban. I want to keep the Suburban on a small 3" lift and 285/75 tires and the Yukon on 37 all terrain tires for a retro K5 dedication build, I don't want a terrible ride quality tho and still would like to take it on long trips from time to time.

[@chillwillrocco]

Good info. I have a 2000 Suburban that I bought for a camping rig. It has the 5.3 and I'm pretty happy with it. I do plan to make some mods eventually, lift, bigger brakes, and wheels.

[@RuffTymesBob]

The video I have been waiting for! God bless and thank you.

[@umustbbornagainActs2-38]

Can't wait to see it out on the trail! Good job!

[@ryurc3033]

Just FYI, I have seen a couple drag and drive half ton trucks,( and a Cadillac), that were well over 600hp, and the half ton drivetrain seems to hold up fine. The caddie was well above 1000hp, and still running stock front diff, cv axles, and rear end(with a billet yoke and big u joints) Towing on the other hand......a heavier duty rear axle definitely helps the load carrying capacity.

[@trove1312]

Yep I think it will hold up but we will see. Dragging our camper around in 4lo has to put some pretty serious strain on the driveline. So far though we haven’t had any issues.

[@thebigv8644]

This was GMs biggest mistake. The 5.3 (pre DOD) is pretty reliable, BUT the 6.0 should have been offered as a standalone option for every trim level of suburban. I have an 07 NNBS VORTEXMAX Silverado and my wife has a 5.3 08 Suburban. That 6.0 belongs in the suburban. The 5.3 in our 08 doesn't even compare to the 5.7 that we had in our 98 suburban.

[@vkyhros2552]

ive got a 01 2500 hd with the 6.0 and they are indestructible ive beat on it since i got it and my dad beat on it before me theyre probably top 3 gm truck motors

[@trove1312]

Yep they are solid motors.

[@suquetpoliard5348]

Nice build ! What problems where you having before the ecm swap/tuning ?

[@trove1312]

It wasn’t controlling the 4l80e properly. Inconsistent shifts and wasn’t shifting into all the gears. The 6.0 programming changes were pretty easy, The transmission was the problem.

[@jeffreyeaton9934]

Have you had experience with a 6.2? I’m in the fence between 6.0 suburban vs 6.2 Denali

[@trove1312]

I do not, haven’t owned one yet

[@jeffreyeaton9934]

@@trove1312 Ok thank you

[@thebigv8644]

If you get a 6.2 get the non dod version. But you still can't go wrong with 6.0. The 6.0 is coming down in price as everyone wants the 6.2 engine. The LQ4 is a lower HP version of the LQ9 or the LY6 was the truck VortexMax. Finding a 6.0 from a full-size van is usually a good cheap option as they get overlooked.