My 2009 suburban has 330,000 miles and I'm contemplating a fresh motor I'm in next year rather than buying a new truck. My question is, can I drop a 6.2 in and program that into my computer? I'm thinking of that or a performance motor. Another thought , I noticed that the newer direct injected 5.3 engines on eBay are selling for super cheap with low miles. Can I somehow make that newer engine work?? Has 50 more foot pounds. Also would like to stay within a budget doing this . Thanks for any insight.

In general performance is one end of the spectrum and budget is on the other. Your choices range from mild to wild. A low mileage donor for the engine and trans as a pair would be wallet friendly. A performance crate engine would be fun on the other end of the scale. What’s the budget? We can help you spend your money. :D

Your current engine computer will only work with the same engine size & year. You go with a different year engine or different size engine, you’ll need an engine computer designed for that engine. Often people will get a used engine and wire harness and computer from the same donor vehicle. Wise to go with a crate engine matching the current one.

6500 is what I was quoted for a crate jasper 5.3. I have a feeling that would be the best route to go. I have found some used 5.3 engines with around 100,000 miles for around 2300, plus about 1000 for install. That is quite a bit cheaper than doing a crate , and would leave me extra money for a trans some day? Just a tough call which route to go? My motor is still performing quite well, but oil pressure is low at idle.

LS engines run a long time with care. Several hundred thousands of miles, with very little work. So if u find a good used, well taken care of 5.3with 100k cheap then I would definitely think about it. I like the idea of having cash left over for repairs down the road such as the trans. Plus you may upgrade down the road, so it leaves less investment in the old truck. As far as the 6.2, depends on the year. So if your timing gear is the 24 not the 58 then a change of computer is required. Again that’s one of the big differences between gen 3 and gen 4 engines. You can find a shop to update the old computer but only if it’s the same generation of engines, otherwise if you find the 6.2 get the computer that goes with it. Stand alone custom systems are a pain, believe me. So if it would be me.... I would find a good quality 5.3 and replace it if I had to, if not check your compression, if it’s good, replace your current oil pump and fix just what’s needed. Save up for and newer truck if your able to purchase down the road. That’s my take, hope it helps.

Is your current engine getting tired? I just bought a 2001 Yukon with the 5.3L that runs great with 160k miles. I need to do something with the leaking exhaust manifold though....:MHave you priced a new GM crate motor? It may not be much different than what you were quoted for the Jasper unit.

Questions about replacing my high mile engine. | Good Sam Community

Ductape
Explorer
Jan 13, 2019
In general performance is one end of the spectrum and budget is on the other. Your choices range from mild to wild. A low mileage donor for the engine and trans as a pair would be wallet friendly. A performance crate engine would be fun on the other end of the scale. What’s the budget? We can help you spend your money. :D
amxpress
Explorer
Jan 13, 2019
Your current engine computer will only work with the same engine size & year. You go with a different year engine or different size engine, you’ll need an engine computer designed for that engine. Often people will get a used engine and wire harness and computer from the same donor vehicle. Wise to go with a crate engine matching the current one.
MARK_VANDERBENT
Explorer
Jan 13, 2019
6500 is what I was quoted for a crate jasper 5.3. I have a feeling that would be the best route to go. I have found some used 5.3 engines with around 100,000 miles for around 2300, plus about 1000 for install. That is quite a bit cheaper than doing a crate , and would leave me extra money for a trans some day? Just a tough call which route to go? My motor is still performing quite well, but oil pressure is low at idle.
kw_00
Explorer
Jan 14, 2019
LS engines run a long time with care. Several hundred thousands of miles, with very little work. So if u find a good used, well taken care of 5.3with 100k cheap then I would definitely think about it. I like the idea of having cash left over for repairs down the road such as the trans. Plus you may upgrade down the road, so it leaves less investment in the old truck. As far as the 6.2, depends on the year. So if your timing gear is the 24 not the 58 then a change of computer is required. Again that’s one of the big differences between gen 3 and gen 4 engines. You can find a shop to update the old computer but only if it’s the same generation of engines, otherwise if you find the 6.2 get the computer that goes with it. Stand alone custom systems are a pain, believe me. So if it would be me.... I would find a good quality 5.3 and replace it if I had to, if not check your compression, if it’s good, replace your current oil pump and fix just what’s needed. Save up for and newer truck if your able to purchase down the road. That’s my take, hope it helps.
blofgren
Explorer
Jan 14, 2019
Is your current engine getting tired? I just bought a 2001 Yukon with the 5.3L that runs great with 160k miles. I need to do something with the leaking exhaust manifold though....:M

Have you priced a new GM crate motor? It may not be much different than what you were quoted for the Jasper unit.
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Jan 14, 2019
How much would it cost to rebuild your current motor?
donn0128
Explorer II
Jan 14, 2019
Crate motors are the way to go for sure. Sadly, motor is only one thing. Transmission, rear end, front suspension, heck wiring all wear out after a while. You might be just throwing good money after bad teying to squeeze another 100K out of a vehicle that is plane at the end of its useful life. IMHO you would be better off junking it and use the money to help pay for a late model CPO.
MARK_VANDERBENT
Explorer
Jan 14, 2019
With 330,000 miles on her I am still impressed with how she is running. I just am getting ready with a plan so when she goes I'm not scrambling. I have not priced out what mine rebuilt would cost, I guess I figured that would be very expensive labor wise? I can check into that though.
MARK_VANDERBENT
Explorer
Jan 14, 2019
Truck looks great . No rust, and everything works and ride is still amazing. That's Why I think I would rather fix and repair than start over .
BenK
Explorer
Jan 14, 2019
Today it is way different from the old days of just dropping in just about anything that will bolt in...

In addition to the issues others have posted...add that the torque/HP curves are different between the 5.3L and 6.2L...plus which year matters too

Then the tranny and it's gear ratios...all the way to the diff ratios and is what GM designed for each that you need to review and decide which is which you wish to use

Here is a good article on this matter...albeit 2019. Still it shows the 'old' versions of both 5.3L and 6.2L, so it will help you see the differences

2019 Silverado Engines: Power And Torque Ratings Revealed

Click For Full-Size Image.

and this one

Really surprised me....
which 2016 GM V8 Is Better? The 5.3L V8 or the 6.2L V8? video

and of course, their respective diff ratios and tire rev's per mile needs to be compared to the curves