Swapping out a 6.0 Chevy gas engine for a 6.6 L8-T

[Snagglefoot]

I understand that a potential swap is developing for owners of Chevy trucks with a 6.0 gas engine. Rather than rebuilding the 6.0 a 6.6 could be dropped in. I’m thinking the largest impediment is that the 6.6 has direct injection and the 6.0 does not. Has anyone you know done this swap?

 

[cptbarkey]

I would rather go fill tilt with a Duramax or Chummins swap if going through those kinds of motions.

 

[wpod]

I would do with out direct injection . My 2.7 has direct injection and it doesn't give me any warm any. The simpler the better if at all possible and I certainly miss the simplicity of my 79 F150 with the 6 cyl and the three on the tree.

 

[ls1mike]

The direct injection has not been an issue on any of the LT based engines. They have been in the trucks since 2014 with the L8T arriving in 2020. Honestly the GM direct injection has been decent without a lot complaints about it at all.

Why the 6.6? It will be pricey for not not much gain. Why not a larger LS based engine or heads and cam on the 6.0? What are you hoping to gain?

 

[burbguy82]

I think the swap would be too much trouble, go with a 6.0 to 6.6 stroker kit. basically plug and play after rebuild and probably cheaper and more power.

 

[nascarnation]

I would rather go fill tilt with a Duramax or Chummins swap if going through those kinds of motions.

I'd recommend trading trucks before swapping gas to diesel in a modern pickup, especially if it needs to pass a state emissions inspection/test. Unless maybe you had access to a wrecked Duramax truck of similar vintage where you could pull all the hardware. It's a LOT of differences in parts.

Looks like the 6.6 L8T is about 8 grand in the crate so you can compare the cost vs a rebuild on the LS 6.0. You'd need a compatible engine controller also but I think mechanically most everything transfers over.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Thanks, I’m just trying to get discussion points going because I noticed other Bittogers brought it up in the past. Maybe someone might glean something useful from it. For me it’s something pleasant to think about when I pass out in the recliner.

 

[clinebarger]

I've done many LS/LT swaps, The unknown is getting all the modules to work with each other. You have to run a '14 & up E92 PCM & a compatible OS T43 TEHCM in your 6L90E. Doubt a custom harness is made for this.....Not that it would be cheap.
Bunch of other things will be needed like custom A/C hoses, Engine mounts, Power Steering hoses.
GM tweaked the GEN V to just be different enough to cause swap issues.

A 402 Stroker is way to go for more cubic inches.

A Texas Speed & Performance rotating assembly runs right at $3,200.....Forged Crank, Forged Pistons, H-Beam Rods, Rings, Bearings & Balanced.

Need a Gen IV iron 6.0L block that will clean-up at .020"....Bored & honed to the TSP/Wiseco pistons.
Square the deck up after figuring the desired quench/piston height.
New Cam Bearings
File fit the rings

821/823 casting square port heads, Valve job, Valve guides, Seals, Surface....Decent BTR Beehive Springs.
BTR V2 Trunnion upgrade
Measure & order pushrods

Call Cam Motion....Tell them all the specs of the engine/truck/gearing/converter stall & intended usage.....They can custom grind a camshaft.
Lifters, Guides, Timing chain, Oil pump, Stroker windage tray.

Injectors & Tuning

If you do all the assembly & labor...You might squeak out at $12,000 to $13,000.

 

[oil pan 4]

GM people who "want more power" I've heard they're avoiding the direct injection engines.

 

[ls1mike]

GM people who "want more power" I've heard they're avoiding the direct injection engines.

Not true. The LT based cars make good big power easy. There are guys who ls swap because it is cheaper, but the LT platform is awesome for power. Look at LT1 and LT4. It is money, not power. The LT is 11 years into its production run. Not as many of those laying around as "ls" mills.

 

[oil pan 4]

Not true. The LT based cars make good big power easy. There are guys who ls swap because it is cheaper, but the LT platform is awesome for power. Look at LT1 and LT4. It is money, not power. The LT is 11 years into its production run. Not as many of those laying around as "ls" mills.

Ok then people looking for cheap power.
I would avoid DI if I had the choice.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Sounds like the L8-T is different enough that it would invite a lot of complications such that that only a real dedicate dedicated person with enough money would bother going through it all.

 

[clinebarger]

Far easier if you had a K1xx platform truck with a 6.0L, Have to swap in a K1xx 1500 fusebox, Harness, PCM.