Vortec V8 performance

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R

rockrod

Joined
Oct 22, 2010
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Parker, CO
As most of you know - I swapped a 5.3l vortec v8 into my cruiser. After the swap, I have been driving the truck to work and haven't really had a chance to run it on the open highway.

Today, we went into the high country to do some exploring. Those familiar with I70 west out of Denver know the grades you pull on the way to Eisenhower Tunnel.

With stock 4.10 gears and 315-75/16 KM2s, I easily ran 75 mph up the hills in third gear. This is just under 3K rpm with throttle to spare cresting the summit. Not even floyd hill was a challenge.

The engine has a 195 t-stat stock and it ran.....193-195 up the hill. This is the stock '94 radiator and a dual electric fan from a lincoln continental with the 32v V8.

This is 'just' the 5.3l engine with a tune to 335 hp. Imagine a 6.0l vortec.

This truck is truly a joy to drive. No more slow lane, no more honda civics passing me. It's awesome. Today made all of the hard work and sweat worth it. I am totally satisfied.
 
That's how I felt going up that same grade last summer with a 2uz swap out of Slee's shop. Sounds like you got it exactly right!
 
You could of got the same performance by just slapping a SC on and it would be all Toyota still.
 
Sounds good - do you have a build thread you can point me to?
 
What is you gas mileage with the V8?

I drop to 50 mph on the last pull just before the tunnel with my old 1FZ going West up Eisenhower.
 
How much gas did you burn getting to Frisco? I just got home from Denver and burned between 1/3 and a 1/2 tank from down town to Frisco( or whatever town is the first exit after Eisenhower). I was pushing pretty hard, and only dropped into 2nd and below 60mph briefly on Floyd Hill (after Georgetown, right?) But, it is not the same experience. I was to the floor, and hoping no one killed my momentum. I remember the same drive in my 5.3/h55 60 a few years back. There is nothing like the confidence and the sound you get out of that motor.

I am dreaming of a 6.0 and a 6-speed auto. It seems like the hot rod market has really stepped up conversion components for LS motors and GM trannies. Swaps have gotten more and more reliable and simple. I can't wait to start digging in.
 
Shinichi said:
How much gas did you burn getting to Frisco? I just got home from Denver and burned between 1/3 and a 1/2 tank from down town to Frisco( or whatever town is the first exit after Eisenhower). I was pushing pretty hard, and only dropped into 2nd and below 60mph briefly on Floyd Hill (after Georgetown, right?) But, it is not the same experience. I was to the floor, and hoping no one killed my momentum. I remember the same drive in my 5.3/h55 60 a few years back. There is nothing like the confidence and the sound you get out of that motor.

I am dreaming of a 6.0 and a 6-speed auto. It seems like the hot rod market has really stepped up conversion components for LS motors and GM trannies. Swaps have gotten more and more reliable and simple. I can't wait to start digging in.
Click to expand...

I don't think the V8 swap is going to net a huge increase in MPG. what you gain is power (but no reduction in economy).

The climb up floyd was at 1/4 throttle in 3rd at 75 mph. It had plenty more to go.

I am using a 4l60e trans. It's a decent trans but the gear spread could be better. I think the 6l80 would really be nice because it the gear spacing is tighter and you would be in the sweet spot more often then not.
 
I use to get 14 15 mpg. That was with the O2 sensors unplugged and EGR was not working. I get 11 to 13 now with both working.

IF the motor ever does go and IF there is a cheap way to V8 the 80, it might be an option for me.
 
I previously owned a 2007 Tahoe before getting my LX. The 5.3 Vortec is definitely a sweet little engine. The 4L60e is a crap transmission, though. The wide ratio between 1st and 2nd gear was very annoying and the 4L60e is barely strong enough to handle the 5.3. There are a very large number of transmission failures in the GM truck world with the 4L60e's, too... I can't believe they put those things in Corvettes!!!

If you didn't do it already, I'd definitely put in the 2nd gear Corvette servo and the 4th gear/OD Superior Super Hold servo. If I remember correctly both parts can be had for <$100 and only take about 30 minutes to swap out. These parts will net you crisper shifts and more holding power in OD so you won't have to kick down so often.

The 6L80e is quite a bit more durable and in theory the close ratios seem to be good, but in reality they're a friggin' nightmare. I drove a handful of the newer Tahoes with the 6L80e and they were hunting for gears CONSTANTLY. Very annoying...

Too bad there aren't more transmission options out there to mate up with the Chevy engines.
 
The 4l60e I am using is a 2003 unit that has about 95k miles on it. The L33 is a 2005 model year engine.
When I had the tune done, the tuner asked if I wanted the torque management removed. I did not with the reasoning being that removing it would probably end the transmission quickly.

I do plan on sourcing another 4l60e and having it built with the upgraded parts that you mention. The modification to the trans to make it work with the marks adapter is a 5 minute job to shorten the output shaft so in essence, it's a r&r once the built trans is ready. Once this is done, I will have the torque management removed.
 
Glad to hear you're happy with it. You're making me seriously debate keeping my 4.88s for 37s. Especially with the 4:1 first gear in the 6L80 and the double overdrive. I was going to trade down to 4.10s, but people keep telling me to keep the 4.88s. I guess I'll do the swap and then see if I need to swap gears.

rockrod said:
This is 'just' the 5.3l engine with a tune to 335 hp. Imagine a 6.0l vortec.
Click to expand...

So what you're saying is the 6.2L should be nuts? :D
 
On my wish list. Some day some day
 
Arya Ebrahimi said:
Glad to hear you're happy with it. You're making me seriously debate keeping my 4.88s for 37s. Especially with the 4:1 first gear in the 6L80 and the double overdrive. I was going to trade down to 4.10s, but people keep telling me to keep the 4.88s. I guess I'll do the swap and then see if I need to swap gears.
Click to expand...

I'm running 4.88s with 37s with my vortec. Perfect combo!

Sent from my DroidCruiser
 
Wrench said:
You could of got the same performance by just slapping a SC on and it would be all Toyota still.
Click to expand...

As a :banana: type guy, I really dunno if this is posted facetiously or if this is a serious comment.

Anyone got firm data on comparisons of the two?
 
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