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Engine swap

MstBmsbhvn

MstBmsbhvn

Full Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2021
Messages
25
Hello I'm sure that this has been asked before but I actually searched and couldn't find the answer. I'm reaching out to the Avalanche expert out there who knows his truck very well. I have a 2008 ltz with a 5.3 flex fuel and its governed. I would like to know what engines are a direct fit but with much more horse. If you have the answer I'd love to hear from you. Mine is a 2wd...
 
Unless your motor is shot why pull it out and swap when you can do things like add a supercharger? Many owners have added this type of system and were happy with the results....

magnusonsuperchargers.com

TVS1900 Radix GM SUV 4.8L/5.3L Supercharger System

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magnusonsuperchargers.com magnusonsuperchargers.com

Question is are you trying to get more off the line usable power or are you trying to reach some top speed? Remember that with increased speed means more things affected like brakes and tires etc.
 
Any LS engine will bolt up to your existing motor mounts and transmission. However, the only plug and play swap would be another 5.3L. Any change to engine size (6.0L for example) would require ECM reprogramming, aka tuning. All of the 4.8L, 5.3L, and 5.7L utilize the cathedral port head design. All of the 6.2L and above uses the square port head design. I'm not sure if all of the 6.0L engines were square port or not, but your cathedral port head will bolt up to pretty much all any of the LS blocks.

Depending on your budget, the 5.3L can be built out to a 6.3L. You could have a 400hp+ Avalanche for probably $7-8K.
 
batmanntexas said:
Any LS engine will bolt up to your existing motor mounts and transmission. However, the only plug and play swap would be another 5.3L. Any change to engine size (6.0L for example) would require ECM reprogramming, aka tuning. All of the 4.8L, 5.3L, and 5.7L utilize the cathedral port head design. All of the 6.2L and above uses the square port head design. I'm not sure if all of the 6.0L engines were square port or not, but your cathedral port head will bolt up to pretty much all any of the LS blocks.

Depending on your budget, the 5.3L can be built out to a 6.3L. You could have a 400hp+ Avalanche for probably $7-8K.
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I appreciate it, I was hoping for a vette donor pushing 500hp..... wishful thinking I guess
 
MstBmsbhvn said:
I appreciate it, I was hoping for a vette donor pushing 500hp..... wishful thinking I guess
Click to expand...
That type of mod would probably open up a whole can of worms such as needing a stronger transmission etc.
 
MstBmsbhvn said:
Also, any word or info on this darn restriction governor???
Click to expand...
YOu need programmer handheld or someone with laptop Software to change parameter.

Not worth it as the you need speed rated tires and they wear out faster.
Also need plenty of distance to stop.
'
DO as others have done if you feel the need for speed" buy a small fast car and go to track days.
 
MstBmsbhvn said:
Yeah I was wondering about using the entire running gear from a vette... my Avalanche is a2 wd
Click to expand...
The Vette's have a torque tube/transaxle setup, so no running gear swap there...unless you get super creative with fabrication.

As for the speed restriction, if you find yourself near Raleigh, NC, send me a message and we can take care of that. I have the required tuning software. Just need to purchase the credits (2) for a license for your ECM ($100). Takes all of about 5 minutes.

-Scott
 
MstBmsbhvn said:
I appreciate it, I was hoping for a vette donor pushing 500hp..... wishful thinking I guess
Click to expand...
I probably came in to low on my HP estimate for a 383. It should easily make 550 on an engine dyno. Throw it in the Av, and it'd be about 430whp. Depending on your driving habits, your stock transmission would be fine for awhile. Mine had about 150K miles on it when I built my 383, and it worked fine.....until I put the Whipple on it. Now, I've got a PerformaBuilt transmission rated for 700hp.
 
ygmn said:
YOu need programmer handheld or someone with laptop Software to change parameter.

Not worth it as the you need speed rated tires and they wear out faster.
Also need plenty of distance to stop.
'
DO as others have done if you feel the need for speed" buy a small fast car and go to track days.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the safety opinion, I'm a 52 year old man with a 2wd Avalanche that simply would like to go a little faster than 98 at times. I grew up with muscle cars racing the 1/4. You would never catch me in a little sports car anyway. Chevy doesnt put a 350ci in a Mazda. Thanks though for the info I think.
batmanntexas said:
The Vette's have a torque tube/transaxle setup, so no running gear swap there...unless you get super creative with fabrication.

As for the speed restriction, if you find yourself near Raleigh, NC, send me a message and we can take care of that. I have the required tuning software. Just need to purchase the credits (2) for a license for your ECM ($100). Takes all of about 5 minutes.

-Scott
Click to expand...
Much appreciated info Scott, thanks. I might be taking a trip back to NC. Used to live Statesville
 
Vaeagleav said:
Unless your motor is shot why pull it out and swap when you can do things like add a supercharger? Many owners have added this type of system and were happy with the results....

magnusonsuperchargers.com

TVS1900 Radix GM SUV 4.8L/5.3L Supercharger System

year-2007,year-2007-make-chevrolet,year-2007-make-chevrolet-model-tahoe,year-2008,year-2008-make-chevrolet,year-2008-make-chevrolet-model-tahoe,year-2009,year-2009-make-chevrolet,year-2009-make-chevrolet-model-tahoe,year-2010,year-2010-make-chevrolet,year-2010-make-chevrolet-model-tahoe,year-2007...
magnusonsuperchargers.com magnusonsuperchargers.com

Question is are you trying to get more off the line usable power or are you trying to reach some top speed? Remember that with increased speed means more things affected like brakes and tires etc.
Click to expand...
I'm not racing the thing. Supercharger lmao. Much more involved "just adding" a supercharger. Hey hold on I think I have one in my back pocket.... nope sorry. That's why I message boards are sometimes frustrating, you get guys who try to be genius just to hear themselves talk. Thanks though for the advice from the true "Avalanchers", they understand what I'm getting at. You dont "build" a 5.3 with flexfuel, mine also has 4 cylinders that idle on the highway for fuel economy. Great for that purpose. Had I known I wouldnt have bought it. Looks like 6.0 idea was dead on. Thanks
 
We who replied are also old and have been driving the avy for 20 years and have seen people come and go and have all sorts of ideas on the need for speed and power and all that.

Truth is the truck is not rated for much but stock.
Tranny and rear end will grenade if you give them much more torque.
Tires are speed rated just about speed limiter.
Cylinder deactivation is from 2007 on and can be turned off with aftermarket programmers etc.

We do not know you or what you or what you want.
We try to give answers and advice in a nice way and you do not like and are rude about it.

Please this is a friendly place for people who like the avy and want to discuss it.


IF you were to read through the many pages of threads in performance section you would find what owners have done for 20 years and My guess is about everything that could be done has been discussed if you cared to look.

Blowers come in kits and are cheaper then a new engine and hundreds have done it.
Turbo - had a few members make that work.
MAnual tranny few guys swapped one in.
Diesel - DONE
engine swaps to 6l -done.
Air intakes, tb spacers, larger TB, done.

IF someone sold it for the AVY I am sure someone bought and posted about it.

Heck check the Drag time thread where peeps posted their times and what they run.

but whatever you do - please be nice to others as above all we take pride in members being cordial with one another.
 
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