6.0L or 454 opinions needed

[81Regal]

I found 2 great deals this last week, thinking of putting one of these in my 80 Monte.
1) 6.0 L GM replacement engine with 18000 documented miles on it for $400 I have to pull it but is complete from injectors to pan, no wiring, computer, or transmission with it but I can get those for extra $$$$.
2) mid 70s 454 in a 77 Chevy 3+3 camper special for $300 that was rebuild about 15 years ago and only has a few thousand miles, undocumented but still has mostly clean paint on the engine so I belive its correct. This is also from carb to pan, has headers but they won't work on a car.
I might get them both but looking for opinions on which I should put in my Monte.

 

[bigmandengo]

My vote is for the 6.0l. That is a great price and if you do get it try and get as much of the accessories and wiring as you can.

 

[Hoopty_Mike]

Get the 6.0, there's a guy on here running 12's with a stock carb'd 5.3l engine. I say carb it for simplicity, and install a good cam and springs.

 

[beenen]

454 would be cool but my vote is the 6.0

 

[Ringers]

I have an HO 454 in my wagon, but want so badly an LS

 

[455'ed80Regal]

I guess it would depend on which engine family you like? For me, it would be the 6.0L hands-down.

 

[deanlemans81]

Ok, I guess I`m a sheep. Get both engines, sell the 454 for aa profit and use the extra cash for the accessories for the 6.0l. Putting a carb on the 6.0 will be easier but I say stick with the efi. Before you pull the trigger though, price out the accessories for the 6.0. Depending on the total cost, you may be able to pick up a wrecked silverado for less $$$ and have every piece of wiring, brackets, modules and sensors to make the swap easier.
deanlemans81

 

[81Regal]

Forgot to mention that the 6.0 does include the p/s pump, alt, air cond compressor and the brackets. Just no wiring or transmission. I should be able to get all the wiring and computers for $200. Its in a 4 wheel drive pickup so I wouldn't be able to use the transmission anyway.

 

[Bar50]

The LSx platform is awesome, no doubt about it.

The initial buy-in is steep, you will need a harness/ecm, you will need ecm flashed to tuned, oil pan, headers, fuel pump and lines, corvette or similar fuel filter, motor mounts and transmission cross-member to match whatever transmission you choose. If it is to your existing trans there is an adapter torque converter with a longer snout to work with older style transmissions. If you go carbed LSx then there is the manifold and the ignition controller. Most guys notch the front cross-member under the engine for pain clearance and cut a notch for the a/c compressor on the passenger side. I am not sure what OEM manifolds are a direct fit. I do not know there is an S10 or GN fuel tank or pump set-up that might be a drop in for the G-body?

To go 454, SBC motor mounts, car/Chevelle oil pain, stock exhaust manifolds fit, headers are $500 for slip to Super Comps, although lots of guys have made Hooker 70-81 Camaro headers fit (cheaper at $165). Also going to need some stiffer front coil springs. There is a chart over on maliburacing.com with Moog part numbers for that. The 454 uses a motor mounted mechanical fuel pump in the same spot as an SBC if your Monte had one. The 454 will bolt to the transmission that is in your Monte (as they were either Chevy or Multi-bolt pattern) as well as the cross-member that is in place. All the accessories off of the truck will work and fit with the Monte, if it was not off of a 1-1/2 ton or larger truck (C-70).


I know that sounds like LSx bashing, but, its not, the initial buy-in then you are there, the injections offers great driving and tuning and you can reap the benefits of an overdrive transmission too. They are light weight and make great horsepower the 5.3's knock down awesome mileage. The only thing to watch out for in 6.0's is the cam bearings (#2) start to fade/fail between 80-100K. Making the LSx work in an older application is much less intense than say putting one into a 2000 or so S10 and keeping all the accessories and gauges happy and working.

 

[81Regal]

Im leaning towards the 6.0 but I would keep it fuel injected. Since it only has 18k miles on it it will be a while before the cam bearing should go bad.