5.3 vs 6.0

[Erickk120]

I wished the 5.3 had a little more punch, makes me want to do a cam, but am at 200k so idk if its worth it. Then again our trucks are fat, and they've got a small heart aka 4l60e. I would have loved it if we would have gotten 4l80e big daddy love.

 

[Mericas_Meuth]

I wished the 5.3 had a little more punch, makes me want to do a cam, but am at 200k so idk if its worth it. Then again our trucks are fat, and they've got a small heart aka 4l60e. I would have loved it if we would have gotten 4l80e big daddy love.

What are the best options for the tranny if you do end up with something like 350 horses?

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[iamdub]

Your basic beefed-up 4L60 from any of the reputable performance trans builders will handle 350 all day, every day. Really, if you have a known good regular/non-performance trans shop, they can rebuild it to factory specs but with upgraded parts and you'd be good. You can't do much harm with "only" 350 HP. This is assuming you have a nice fluid cooler and a good tune to clean up the shift tables.

 

[Erickk120]

What are the best options for the tranny if you do end up with something like 350 horses?

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4l60e with some upgrades as dub suggested should be good enough. I meant its just sad how the 80e can handle 500hp stock with no problems for days. Its then I realize the excuse of a tranny we got.

 

[SnowDrifter]

4l60e with some upgrades as dub suggested should be good enough. I meant its just sad how the 80e can handle 500hp stock with no problems for days. Its then I realize the excuse of a tranny we got.

I saw someone made a regear kit for the 4l80e to being it closer to the 4l60s gear ratios. Might be worth entertaining if you ever need to swap down the road and don't want a first gear as tall as everest

 

[Matthew Jeschke]

If you find one with low miles and cheap- go for it. Otherwise, a few good tweaks to your 5.3 can easily put it at LQ4 power numbers.

iamdub, what tweaks did you have in mind. Honestly, my personal opinion I like the smaller motor. Unless I had opportunity to swap with an LS

As to other comments. I've had several setups with 4L60E. I don't understand why everybody disses on it. I've never had any issues myself nor have my friends. I built up my Z28 Camaro (granted lighter chasis) with a stock 4L60E and it held up like a champ. My parents had multiple suburbans, never any Tranny issues to speak of. Only thing I could think of is if you trailer a lot maybe it's not up to the load and might need a little reworking or going for the 4L80E.

 

[adriver]

iamdub, what tweaks did you have in mind. Honestly, my personal opinion I like the smaller motor. Unless I had opportunity to swap with an LS

As to other comments. I've had several setups with 4L60E. I don't understand why everybody disses on it. I've never had any issues myself nor have my friends. I built up my Z28 Camaro (granted lighter chasis) with a stock 4L60E and it held up like a champ. My parents had multiple suburbans, never any Tranny issues to speak of. Only thing I could think of is if you trailer a lot maybe it's not up to the load and might need a little reworking or going for the 4L80E.

8 > 6. I win.

 

[iamdub]

iamdub, what tweaks did you have in mind. Honestly, my personal opinion I like the smaller motor. Unless I had opportunity to swap with an LS

The simple but effective ("effective" as in "possibly minimal, but not counter-productive") bolt-ons: Intake tube (MIT or homemade PVC, etc.), long tube headers, free-flow muffler and a GOOD TUNE. Averaging, there's only about a 30 HP difference from a 5.3 and LQ4 (the "mild" 6.0).

As to other comments. I've had several setups with 4L60E. I don't understand why everybody disses on it. I've never had any issues myself nor have my friends. I built up my Z28 Camaro (granted lighter chasis) with a stock 4L60E and it held up like a champ. My parents had multiple suburbans, never any Tranny issues to speak of. Only thing I could think of is if you trailer a lot maybe it's not up to the load and might need a little reworking or going for the 4L80E.

It's all in what you want for your purposes. My gripe about the 4L60E is that there are only four gears and wide gaps between them. There are too many instances in my most common commutes where I'm going at just the right speed where it's too fast to downshift so it just stays in that next gear up and lugs the engine when trying to accelerate. At my current power levels, the 60-rating is sufficient so I can't bash it there. The 80 is stronger, but it also has different gearing that is more for low-end grunt than high- or top-speed driving. Still, it's only four speeds.

I would LOVE to convert mine to a 6L80E with all the factory stuff: Tapshift controls on the shift lever, appropriate gauge cluster, etc. It'd probably be easier to do a 6-speed manual conversion.

 

[Matthew Jeschke]

The simple but effective ("effective" as in "possibly minimal, but not counter-productive") bolt-ons: Intake tube (MIT or homemade PVC, etc.), long tube headers, free-flow muffler and a GOOD TUNE. Averaging, there's only about a 30 HP difference from a 5.3 and LQ4 (the "mild" 6.0).




It's all in what you want for your purposes. My gripe about the 4L60E is that there are only four gears and wide gaps between them. There are too many instances in my most common commutes where I'm going at just the right speed where it's too fast to downshift so it just stays in that next gear up and lugs the engine when trying to accelerate. At my current power levels, the 60-rating is sufficient so I can't bash it there. The 80 is stronger, but it also has different gearing that is more for low-end grunt than high- or top-speed driving. Still, it's only four speeds.

I would LOVE to convert mine to a 6L80E with all the factory stuff: Tapshift controls on the shift lever, appropriate gauge cluster, etc. It'd probably be easier to do a 6-speed manual conversion.

Ah i had the same idea about going to a 6 speed auto.. but had same thoughts. Probably near impossible to update controller and dash :/

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[Rocket Man]

Ah i had the same idea about going to a 6 speed auto.. but had same thoughts. Probably near impossible to update controller and dash :/

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Not really, just have to buy the rest of the vehicle too.