2011 SSV 6.0 Swap

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Trc54

Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2016
Posts
43
Reaction score
13
Hey guys it's been awhile since I've posted but I would like to give an update on the hoe. Back in the beginning of July we got some pretty heavy rain here. I was driving the Tahoe when I came upon a road that had sitting water on it. Long story short the 5.3 sucked up water and locked itself up. I'm basically looking for specifics on what the 6.0 swap entails. My understanding is the ly6 would be the best option as far as motors go but I am more than open to being educated. I also did not know if my factory computer will be able to run/disable the vvt? Any parts of tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated!
 
OP
OP
Trc54

Trc54

Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2016
Posts
43
Reaction score
13
Just an update, I'm working with a local shop to complete the swap. I got a killer deal on a low mileage ly6 with awesome specs and warranty. Everything I've read points to it being a mechanically identical swap with all the gen4 motors having a 58 tooth reluctor wheel. The only hurdle will be flashing the current ecm from afm and dod to a vvt motor. I originally planned on doing an ls3 cam and vvt delete but as funds aren't there that will be a project for another day.
 

swathdiver

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2017
Posts
20,061
Reaction score
27,283
Location
Treasure Coast, Florida
Hey guys it's been awhile since I've posted but I would like to give an update on the hoe. Back in the beginning of July we got some pretty heavy rain here. I was driving the Tahoe when I came upon a road that had sitting water on it. Long story short the 5.3 sucked up water and locked itself up. I'm basically looking for specifics on what the 6.0 swap entails. My understanding is the ly6 would be the best option as far as motors go but I am more than open to being educated. I also did not know if my factory computer will be able to run/disable the vvt? Any parts of tips and tricks would be greatly appreciated!

Hi Tyler, welcome back! Your current truck has VVT too. By switching the the LY6 the only downside is the loss of FlexFuel capability, the ability to run cheap E85 if it's available in your area. The L96 is the Flex Fuel version of the LY6. Do you have access to the donor's computer? Did you ever get a BlackBear tune previously?
 
OP
OP
Trc54

Trc54

Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2016
Posts
43
Reaction score
13
Hi Tyler, welcome back! Your current truck has VVT too. By switching the the LY6 the only downside is the loss of FlexFuel capability, the ability to run cheap E85 if it's available in your area. The L96 is the Flex Fuel version of the LY6. Do you have access to the donor's computer? Did you ever get a BlackBear tune previously?
No, I do not believe the computer will be coming with the motor. I never ran e85 as it is so that's not really an issue. I was not tuned by blackbear.
 

swathdiver

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2017
Posts
20,061
Reaction score
27,283
Location
Treasure Coast, Florida
No, I do not believe the computer will be coming with the motor. I never ran e85 as it is so that's not really an issue. I was not tuned by blackbear.

Is it your intention to delete the VVT system on the donor engine for some reason? Not sure I understood your OP.
 
OP
OP
Trc54

Trc54

Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2016
Posts
43
Reaction score
13
Is it your intention to delete the VVT system on the donor engine for some reason? Not sure I understood your OP.
I had planned on deleting it and using an ls3 cam but with budget and time constraints I will be holding off.
 
OP
OP
Trc54

Trc54

Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2016
Posts
43
Reaction score
13
My goal with the truck is to run a low 13 second 1/4. I figured the 6.0 would get me closer easier so that was my reasoning for the ls3 cam.
 

swathdiver

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2017
Posts
20,061
Reaction score
27,283
Location
Treasure Coast, Florida
My goal with the truck is to run a low 13 second 1/4. I figured the 6.0 would get me closer easier so that was my reasoning for the ls3 cam.

Well, with the LS3 cam you're moving the powerband north, losing bottom end and gaining it back up higher in the rpm band. Not good for everyday driving but would help if you're having traction issues at launch. A higher stall converter would probably be necessary.

You'll need about 500 rear wheel horsepower to run those times.

Talk to this guy: @randeez
 

randeez

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2017
Posts
7,444
Reaction score
23,679
Location
south florida
i have not figured out the secret to low 13s yet :(

mine is pretty fbo with a cam something seems to be holding me up atm, I'm thinking I may have damaged the converter. trying to track down a little bit of vibration which may actually be from the converter but I'm ruling out a few other things before I dive into swapping it.

started with cam/headers/stall ran a 13.6 was all done at the same time, not sure if converter is any better than stock as far as 1/4 mile times - although it feels like i gets off the line better the extra slip sometimes leads to a wash in et

changed out intake to cone/shield, ls3 throttle body, flex fuel sensor and e85 tuning, changed out heavy all terrains, 4.11 gears and only picked up a tenth at the same mph :lol:


couple things - the LY6(9.6) is down on compression from the LS3(10.7) and L92(10.5). would be better to bump the compression up if you plan on sticking to cam only. my cams (218/228 .600/.600 lift) quite a bit bigger than the LS3 cam and i do not know if it'll get me deep into the 13s. best comparison ive found is mostly 4 door crew cab trucks with larger cams and fbo have ran 12.8-12.9.
 
Last edited:

Forum statistics

Threads
133,415
Posts
1,885,101
Members
98,540
Latest member
Adam1986
Top