engine swap - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bigskydave · 04-23-2011, 12:46 PM

Hi all, I have a 2001 silverado 4x4 1500 with the 4.8 auto. Does anyone know if the wiring harness would work with the 5.3 or 6 litre engine? Also, if it does, can I just get my ecm reflashed or would I have to get a motor specific. I would like to swap out the 4.8 for one of the bigger engines.
Is this doable or would it be a major expense and headache. Thanks for any help on this. By the way, I just joined and this is my first post. Hope someone out there can help me out with this. Thanks again and keep on playin! Bigskydave.

clinebarger · 04-23-2011, 05:30 PM

The harness will work, The 99-06 4.8, 5.3, 6.0 all interchange. If you get a DBW engine you will need to swap the intakes.

If you go with a 5.3, You can run a 4.8 tune with no problem. With a 6.0 I recommend getting a tune done. But will still run, maybe not to it full potential.

Swaping a PCM from another truck will not work, It has to have the correct VIN flashed in it

66redw/white · 04-23-2011, 09:15 PM

thats it ^

usmcchevy · 04-23-2011, 11:30 PM

Clinebanger covered it. Highly recommend a custom tune.

EDIT:

bigskydave · 04-25-2011, 01:38 PM

Hey Clinebarger, thanks man. You seem to be up to speed on something like this, so let me pick your brain again. If I want to put in a 5.3 in place of my 4.8, do I have to change motor mounts, etc. Or would this be a fairly straightforward swap one out and one in? The reason I want to do this is I want to pull a travel trailer with my half ton.
Size of trailer is undetermined as of now. I have too much into my truck now and I would hate to get rid of it. I'll post a pic as soon as I download onto my new computer.
Again, thanks a lot. Dave.

clinebarger · 04-25-2011, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigskydave

Hey Clinebarger, thanks man. You seem to be up to speed on something like this, so let me pick your brain again. If I want to put in a 5.3 in place of my 4.8, do I have to change motor mounts, etc. Or would this be a fairly straightforward swap one out and one in? The reason I want to do this is I want to pull a travel trailer with my half ton.
Size of trailer is undetermined as of now. I have too much into my truck now and I would hate to get rid of it. I'll post a pic as soon as I download onto my new computer.
Again, thanks a lot. Dave.

The motor mounts are the same. Its a VERY straightforward swap.

An engine swap will NOT increase the carrying capacity of your truck. Being a 1/2 ton will limit what size & weight Travel Trailer you can tow safely. Know the GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) & GCWR (Gross Combined Weight Rating) of your truck & weigh the truck & trailer together before buying, Dont go by what a salesman tells you.....Hes there for one thing....$$$$$.

60ratrod · 04-28-2011, 03:59 AM

i think he's going more for pulling power

66redw/white · 04-28-2011, 08:24 AM

might want a 4l80 too...

clinebarger · 04-28-2011, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 60ratrod

i think he's going more for pulling power

Quote:

Originally Posted by 66redw/white

might want a 4l80 too...

Most people using a 1/2 ton truck to pull a TT are overloaded. If you keep within the GCWR the 4.8 & 4L60E will be fine. This ratings SOLE purpose is not to "over tax" the drivetrain, Gear ratio has a big impact on this rating to.

04-23-2011, 12:46 PM	#1
bigskydave Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: billings, mt Posts: 3	engine swap Hi all, I have a 2001 silverado 4x4 1500 with the 4.8 auto. Does anyone know if the wiring harness would work with the 5.3 or 6 litre engine? Also, if it does, can I just get my ecm reflashed or would I have to get a motor specific. I would like to swap out the 4.8 for one of the bigger engines. Is this doable or would it be a major expense and headache. Thanks for any help on this. By the way, I just joined and this is my first post. Hope someone out there can help me out with this. Thanks again and keep on playin! Bigskydave.

04-23-2011, 05:30 PM	#2
clinebarger Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 6,370	Re: engine swap The harness will work, The 99-06 4.8, 5.3, 6.0 all interchange. If you get a DBW engine you will need to swap the intakes. If you go with a 5.3, You can run a 4.8 tune with no problem. With a 6.0 I recommend getting a tune done. But will still run, maybe not to it full potential. Swaping a PCM from another truck will not work, It has to have the correct VIN flashed in it

04-23-2011, 09:15 PM	#3
66redw/white made in america Join Date: May 2010 Location: baton rouge la Posts: 653	Re: engine swap thats it ^ __________________ 2005 gmc sierra- 4/6, t56, cammed 5.3. 4.10, big bars, and brakes. sounds good 1964 c10-283 powerpack, 3 on the tree 2004 corvette- lowered, borla, tuned. slow my old girl 1966 c10- 305v8, t-5 sold

04-23-2011, 11:30 PM	#4
usmcchevy Has more rust than truck... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ivanhoe, MN Posts: 2,421	Re: engine swap Clinebanger covered it. Highly recommend a custom tune. EDIT: __________________ 1972 Custom/10 SWB, 4.8/4l80e Build thread LSx Swap FAQ index Last edited by usmcchevy; 04-23-2011 at 11:31 PM.

04-25-2011, 01:38 PM	#5
bigskydave Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: billings, mt Posts: 3	Re: engine swap Hey Clinebarger, thanks man. You seem to be up to speed on something like this, so let me pick your brain again. If I want to put in a 5.3 in place of my 4.8, do I have to change motor mounts, etc. Or would this be a fairly straightforward swap one out and one in? The reason I want to do this is I want to pull a travel trailer with my half ton. Size of trailer is undetermined as of now. I have too much into my truck now and I would hate to get rid of it. I'll post a pic as soon as I download onto my new computer. Again, thanks a lot. Dave.

04-28-2011, 03:59 AM	#7
60ratrod yes, i do Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Spokane, wa Posts: 2,734	Re: engine swap i think he's going more for pulling power __________________ ERROR 404....... SNAPPY COMEBACK NOT FOUND _______________________________________________________________________________________________ -60 Chevy C10, dead 350/good th350 combo, sitting on a 76 c10 blazer frame, built from 11 different vehicles "the abomination" -07 gmt900 silverado 1500 lt xcab z71, granite blue -81 suzuki gs650g "shelah"- current project -81 kz1000m1 csr "sarge" -next project (just beautification) -07 kawasaki vulcan classic vn900

04-28-2011, 08:24 AM	#8
66redw/white made in america Join Date: May 2010 Location: baton rouge la Posts: 653	Re: engine swap might want a 4l80 too... __________________ 2005 gmc sierra- 4/6, t56, cammed 5.3. 4.10, big bars, and brakes. sounds good 1964 c10-283 powerpack, 3 on the tree 2004 corvette- lowered, borla, tuned. slow my old girl 1966 c10- 305v8, t-5 sold

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