5.3, 6.0, 8.1?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

C

Cumminshunter

Joined
Nov 15, 2011
Threads
3
Messages
7
So ideally, which of these would be the easiest/best/simplest swap into an FJ80?
What trans would you put behind it? What t-case?
Part sources?

Thanks.
 
Why the 8.1? What trans, TCase? Why?

I guess I should have said: I'd like to use this normally as a DD (mild lift) and mountain vehicle in CO. It might occasionally tow my heep, but usually it'll be a DD, mountain, Camping rig...

Thanks for the help...
 
6.0/6L80E. You can buy all the parts for this conversion without having to do much custom stuff. Plenty of power, good gearing from a 6 speed auto, etc. The 8.1 is not necessary and will need a 4L80E transmission which is too large for the tunnel heat wise, and the adapter puts the tcase to close to run a DC or even a standard shaft without mods to the tranny pan. Done both. Wont do the 8.1 again.
 
:clap: So where are these parts coming from? I've found a good source on engines, but trans and motor mounts, and... :hhmm:

What did you have to make "custom" wise? Did everything fit under the hood w/o much modification to firewall, hood, etc?

Did you get the 80 w/ the 6.0 licensed here in CO? How'd that work?

How was the 6.0 going from Denver up I-70? Ever tow with it? Estimated MPG?

Thanks! :beer:
 
Waggoner5 said:
6.0/6L80E. You can buy all the parts for this conversion without having to do much custom stuff. Plenty of power, good gearing from a 6 speed auto, etc. The 8.1 is not necessary and will need a 4L80E transmission which is too large for the tunnel heat wise, and the adapter puts the tcase to close to run a DC or even a standard shaft without mods to the tranny pan. Done both. Wont do the 8.1 again.
Click to expand...

Have you done a 6.0/6L80E swap already? I'm actively hunting for an engine/trans to do this swap, but didn't know someone had done it already.
 
Parts came from a wrecking yard in Ft Worth. Its best to find a complete drivetrain out of the same vehicle, this way you can get the whole package, ECU and all. 0 modifications to the body or frame on the 80 series. The motor mounts can be bought through Advance Adapters, but I built the engine mounts myself being "custom". I did not ever try to get the vehicle registered in CO, so I have no clue, except that it would have to pass emissions based on the donor vehicle. Never towed and never pulled anything very far. Fuel economy was around 15.
 
Arya Ebrahimi said:
Have you done a 6.0/6L80E swap already? I'm actively hunting for an engine/trans to do this swap, but didn't know someone had done it already.
Click to expand...

Sourced all the parts, did wiring, and managed the install, but did not finish it. I know its finished and running though. It was no more difficult than the 8.1 or an LT1/LS1 conversion.
 
Don't get the 8.1.... Its a nice engine and makes good power...but very expensive on parts and poor aftermarket support on what I saw.

6.0 would be good or a 5.3.. Allthough I've not seen a full write up on a 6.0. Some guy on the 60 forum says he has one and I've asked for details multiple times...which never gets posted. I think you would to understand the wiring issues on the 6.0 up front...relative to trans control etc. I like the 6.0 in my 07 pickup. I do think there is far more history on swaps with the 5.3.

I don't think you would go wrong with the 5.3 or 6.0. I would like to do a 6.0 swap with the matching 6 speed auto trans too...I think that would be a very good combination. Just to give you a good example... the 6.0 gas engine in my 07 GM 4wd HD2500 pushes my pickup and my car hauler trailer and my 86FJ60 ....and does so pretty well. I had a 02 2500 Suburban 8.1 liter 4wd previously and I can honestly say that the 6.0 engine does a pretty comparable job towing...you have to let the 6.0 engine wind out some times depending on grade but thats normal. I liked the suburban....but I really needed a pickup for all around use. Pickup handles and stops better than the suburban...I know that is a large gap in years between the two vehicles...but the 6.0 gas engine is pretty impressive in my view. Prior to owning one I would have bet that a small block could not perform as well towing.
I have 3.73 gears in the pickup and as I recall the suburban had the same.

Make sure to understand the transmission controls and electrical requirements before jumping on teh 6.0...but its an impressive engine and transmission combination 4L90E is the trans model I think.. Would be really cool to be able to integrate the tow/haul mode as well.

If anyone has web site or writeup of a swap with a 6.0 GM V-8 and matching 6speed auto trans...post up. I wonder if Slee has done one?
 
Last edited:
Wiring wise there is no difference between the 5.3l and 6.0l. You can sit them side by side and there would be no real way to tell the difference unless you know what to look for (6.0l have more webbing on the block). Internally they are a LOT different... Now I think Marks/Advance adapters is making an adapter for the 6l80e to bolt to the stock 80 tcase but I dont know when they plan to start selling them. Also there are two different versions of the 6.0l that came in the trucks. The LQ9 has 10.1 compression 345hp/380ft.lbs torque and the LQ4 has 9.41:1 compression stock with 300hp/360ft.lbs torque. I would look for an LQ9 or the new L92 motors they are 400hp out of the box..
 
The 8.1 will never fit unless you relocate the steering box. It's too wide. The 80 series frame is very narrow and the steering box is mounted in such a way that it's very close to the power steering pump with the vortec or small block chevy conversion.
 
6.0 Engine with 6 speed auto trans?

so what are the guys doing with the tow / haul feature on the auto trans? What are they using for a shifter and display for the gear mode?

I probably missated the trans model in my post above..
 
Last edited:
Waggoner5 said:
I made my own using a stock harness. As far as I know, there shouldn't be any complications with the 6 speed. Guys in AUS have done a few conversions like this and have had no problems as well.
Click to expand...

Gary...where are you seeing the AUS swaps? On this board or somewhere else? I'm interested in reading what others have done as I most likely will use that engine and trans combination on my next swap.
 
profitts has a 40 with a 6.0 on their web page...looks to be 4l60e trans though.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Wisco80
Here we go... 5.3 LS Swap Thread 1993 fzj80
Replies
10
Views
2K
alia176
alia176

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom