What's the difference between these motors?

[Call Her Bu]

I'm looking into doing a LS swap in my malibu and was wondering what the difference was between the 5.3 and 6.0 motor? What trans would work better in the swap also? What gears should I go with in the rear? It's gonna be a weekend cruiser and every now and then maybe take it to the track to see what it gots. I just want to do it right the first time GBF.

 

[axisg]

more power out of the box in a 6.0. Swap would be the same. Rear gears dep on your trans and needs.

 

[L92 OLDS]

more power out of the box in a 6.0. Swap would be the same. Rear gears dep on your trans and needs.

5.3 LS swaps are impressive (especially with a turbo) but if you're used to the torque of old school muscle like I am a 5.3 may disappoint you. Yes, with mods they can be quick in the quarter mile but unlike an Olds 403 or 455 they lack torque down low. It's just a different driving experience. A lot of guys that have done a 5.3 swap will tell you the same thing and if they had to do it over would go for bigger cubes.

 

[Call Her Bu]

What about what I want to use it for? Weekend cruiser and the track every now and then. What about the rear end gears?

 

[CHRIS.O]

Are you planning on running the pcm and fuel injection from the donor car or swapping to carb? Are you wanting stock power or thinking about throwing a cam and tune at it? Where i live 5.3s bring very little money but 6.0s bring double. If i were interested in doing a swap id probably throw a few bucks at the engine before i put it in so personally id buy a 5.3.

 

[85GPLef41]

As for the 5.3 I don't have any experience with but going with the 5.7 I did notice the lack of torque vs my old school sbc 350... Though I will admit it pulls waaaaay harder then the 350 at higher rpm's :wink: But I do miss the torque which is why I hope to build the 6.0 in my garage to a 408. I could only wonder what that would feel like once I swap gears to 4:10's Then again it could change if I decide turbo or max n/a motor... so I'm gonna do some more research and start the 408 build and leave the ls1 somewhat stock and install it in my cutty.