03 GMC Engine Swap

[GMC90]

Whats up guys? New to the site, wanted to say hi and get some opinions. I have a 03 GMC ext cab 2wd 4.8L and i'm going to be swapping in a new motor (and tranny). The question is which one....I was thinking of getting a LS1 or 2 and putting every bolt on i can get. My main goal is to beat lightnings and or anything else that lines up with me. You guys think that the ls1 would quick enough in the truck or should I go with the LS2 or LS3?
thanks

[03slowZ06]

If you had the cash I would go with the ls2.

[White02SS]

Go with the LS2, put a decent sized cam in it, put about a 3k or 3500 stall in it if its an auto, a set of 4.11 gears in the back, and you should be doin really well.

[Dennis93TA]

Why not go with a LQ4 or LQ9? Alot cheaper and only wieghs 88lbs more than a ls1. You can do anything to the 6.0 iron block that you can do to the ls1. Also if you put in a LS2 it's not just a bolt up and go deal. The knock sensors are different and the cam sensor.

[GMC90]

well cash wise i want to keep it around 7K i want to get a new crate motor which would soak up alot of the cash. i thought about the Lq9 i just want a motor that revs hihg, i really don't want to do any interal work....yea its an auto thinking of a 2500 stall. As of now i'm leaning towards the LS1...

[Dennis93TA]

The LQ9 revs high. I mean, I'm running a LQ4 shortblock in my Z28 and only thing done to the bottom end is ARP rod bolts which you will want to do to a LS motor too. I had my shift points set at 6800rpm. I just think that since it's a truck, the ls1 isn't gonna have the balls down low like a LQ motor would.

Crate motors are kinda pricey, you could peice together a badass motor for the same price. Buy the shortblock you want, then the heads, cam, intake, etc. You can get a 408ci short block for around $3500. Not trying to tell you what to get, just trying to help.

[Transamman25]

LS1 with a procharger ... just to make the lightning really small in the rear view

[SStrokerAce]

The LQ4/9 are stout motors and since they are GENIII will bolt right up to your setup. I've seen them spin 7500+rpm in racing applications.

If you get the heads rebuilt and milled you will have a nice head for cheap. I've seen them move 275cfm with one of our valve jobs and stock valves, put some good springs on there and a small cam and it will really wake that truck up. I see what too many guys running big cams in trucks that are 4500lbs+ and they are worthless until you twist them, in a truck thats a bad idea. A well done small cam and a nicely done set of 317 (6.0L heads) will get the truck to run something crazy with that stock truck manifold.

Bret