5.3 vs. 6.0 engine build

TERRELL WINFREY

MEMBER
2002 CHEVROLET CAMARO
3.8L
6 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
180,000 MILES

Hello. I came across your "How to Build a 5.3 LS LM7" series of videos, and they are Fantastic! I want to do an LS swap for my now not working V6 Camaro, and I have an eye on a 5.3 locally. But I also stumbled upon a complete 6.0 for really cheap. So, my question is, will your How to Build series apply to the 6.0 LS, or are they two completely different animals? I'm not a mechanic, and I'm brand new to all this. But I figured I'd at least try to do this swap instead of simply condemning the car to the junk yard. Any information you can impart will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Terry

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

The short answer is yes. The LS platform is pretty similar across the board.

However, we need to find out what the 6.0L came out of. This is going to make a difference because if it came out of a truck then it is an LQ4 or 9. If it came out of a Corvette or GTO then it is an LS2.

While these are not going to be drastically different as they are all part of the LS platform it is important to know for replacement parts.

Here is the first video of this series which will help others in case they are wondering what we are talking about:

https://youtu.be/NyX6FwLYDuc

Also, I am linking the page to Summit as they have a write on this engine that Ryan built and actually have a kit with all the parts that he used if you are interested in buying this.

https://www.summitracing.com/newsandevents/newproductreleases/2carpros-5-3l-gm-ls-engine-build-parts-combos-now-available-at-summit-racing

There are links to the parts in the article. Hopefully they still have stock.

If you have any specific questions that you are looking for that I did not provide, let me know and I can get Ryan to jump in on this and he can answer what I don't know.

Thanks