I would say:

- cheaper (can find take out 5.7L's with tranny for around $2000-$2500)
- lighter (aluminum block ~ 100lbs lighter)

flip side, the 6.0L has more bore and can take larger valves

while the iron block is "stronger", there are 5.7L's making insane HP so it's not really an issue


I personally would love to swap out my 5.3L for a 5.7L if I was given the option (and if I had a reason). I would not however just toss a perfectly good 5.3L. $2K+ for a used engine can go a long way to make that 5.3L scream.

 

Yes it is worth it.I would definatly do it!!

 

I don't know if you still want input but if his goal is 350hp is that at the crank or at the wheels?
With the mods in my signature I have 390hp at the engine and around 320 at the wheels. Larger cam and some heads would bump it up a lot more.
a 6.0 would be a better platform to start with IMO but whatever you can get your hands on will work.

But if you want to swap the engine you can. Might check the price differences and see which is more beneficial. Let him spend the money on an LS1 and you mod a 5.3. See who gets to the goal cheaper with less work.

 

I wish ls6 crate motors were still only 3k.

 

id say go with a 6.0lq9 find a cheapshort block and slap sum 243 heads on it thus raising your compression with a good cam and just feel the power i speak from experience

 

I say your friend needs to start learning the correct information before saying things like that.. Once again it is a opinion thing.. People with 6.0 are going to say go 6.0 guys with the ls1 is going to say them.. They both are great engines, but so is the 5.3 if your looking to achieve the 350 hp mark..If you do a 5.3 correct, you can run low 12's all day long.. 350 wouldn't be a problem on the 5.3.. As far as the swap goes, you take all the stuff( front engine acc, or anything else you might need of it, put it on the other motor) It is a pretty straight forward swap. The wires, plugs can only go to one spot..

 

Im gunna do i ls1 swap here soon on mine, If u can find a deal on a ls1 i say do it, I say find a set of ls6 heads and swap them on before you drop it in, most 6.0s will run 1000 to 1500 out here and my ls1 with the cost of ls6 heads cost me 950 bucks with 76k miles on it. stock 6.0 vs Ls1 with ls6 heads?? You pick but i vote the ls1.

 

its totally different here. ls1's are 2000-2500, and 6.0's are 750-1500 all day. i guess people think the 5.7's are special because they came out of a camaro or corvette

i would do whichever you can find the best deal on.

 

x2. Ive always found LS1s to cost way more.

 

Hi, I'm new on here and it's a great broad so far that I have seen. I have an O2 Avy and I did a swap. I took out the 5.3 and put in a 6.0 with a maggy, it's the best thing that i could of done. I'm hope to fine someone here where i live to Dyno it to see how much power I'm getting out of it.