I need to buy a new Suburban as my current one has a bad transmission. When I look at the early 2000's Suburbans they often list a 6.0lL engine. I'm not familiar with a 6.0, is it basically the equivalent of a 350 (5.7L) of old? Is it a good engine or is it something to steer clear of like the Fords of that era that spit out spark plugs?While I have been trying to hold out for an 8L I'm not having much luck and I've had my current 350 powered Suburban for 14 years and it pulls my trailer fine.Any thoughts?

The 6.0l is a LS based V8 that was available in 2500 series and up trucks and in some limited capacities in the 1500 series trucks. For a Suburban 2500 in the early 2000’s it is the base motor. Later examples 07-13 (ish I think) it was the only offering. You could get a 6.0 in a Yukon Denali or a Cadillac Escalade in the early 2000’s as well. It’s a tough motor and reliable as an anvil. It is head and shoulders better than a 350 small block. Great motors. While the pesky spark plug spitting issue in the Fords was a bit overblown...I would say that the 6.0 is as reliable if not slightly more reliable than the 2v Ford Modular motors. Thanks!Jeremiah

jerem0621 wrote:The 6.0l is a LS based V8 that was available in 2500 series and up trucks and in some limited capacities in the 1500 series trucks. For a Suburban 2500 in the early 2000’s it is the base motor. Later examples 07-13 (ish I think) it was the only offering. You could get a 6.0 in a Yukon Denali or a Cadillac Escalade in the early 2000’s as well. It’s a tough motor and reliable as an anvil. It is head and shoulders better than a 350 small block. Great motors. While the pesky spark plug spitting issue in the Fords was a bit overblown...I would say that the 6.0 is as reliable if not slightly more reliable than the 2v Ford Modular motors. Thanks!JeremiahX2. Great motor.

The 5.3 came out as the 350/5.7 replacement. The 6.0 was their big motor for the HD's, 1500HD, 2500HD, 3500HD. Then in the early 2000's GM came out with the 8.1 for the HD's. I am not sure but somewhere in the mid 2000's GM dropped the 8.1 to meet EPA emission standards fleet wide. The 6.0 became the only gas engine available for the HD's. It is a great motor, not a big block, but it is a workhorse and very reliable. I have had a 2003 1500HD with the 6.0 and 4 speed transmission and a 2010 2500HD with the 6.0 and a 6 speed transmission. Both have been extremely reliable. With what I have towed I wanted a 1500/2500HD, but I did not need the diesel. The 6.0 does have its limitations depending on what you tow, but it is a very reliable engine. It does love to drink gas! My brother in law still has a 2002 2500 Suburban with the 8.1 that he bought new to tow his Airstream. I once met a man at a gas station who had a 2500HD pickup with the 8.1 and an Allison transmission, he said he was never going to sell it. You could not get the Allison transmission in the Suburban, supposedly it would not fit.

Thanks That sets my mind at ease a bit.

I would go so far as say, it is one of the most durable gas engines ever put into production (I cant think of a gas engine that has logged more miles with a better reputation). I believe it was put into production in 1999, and has been used as mentioned above, in a large and diverse number of vehicles ever since. No one will call them thrifty on fuel, but they can pull. Its not at all like driving the GM 6.2 They seem kinda slow driving around town, but when they are loaded they pull at practially the same rate as if they were empty. So its a different kind of power, not at all snappy but powerful all the same. When tied to a 6 speed they are even better than with the 4 speed.

What is a 6.0L Chevy engine | Good Sam Community

rwess
Explorer
Nov 05, 2019
The 5.3 came out as the 350/5.7 replacement. The 6.0 was their big motor for the HD's, 1500HD, 2500HD, 3500HD. Then in the early 2000's GM came out with the 8.1 for the HD's. I am not sure but somewhere in the mid 2000's GM dropped the 8.1 to meet EPA emission standards fleet wide. The 6.0 became the only gas engine available for the HD's. It is a great motor, not a big block, but it is a workhorse and very reliable. I have had a 2003 1500HD with the 6.0 and 4 speed transmission and a 2010 2500HD with the 6.0 and a 6 speed transmission. Both have been extremely reliable. With what I have towed I wanted a 1500/2500HD, but I did not need the diesel. The 6.0 does have its limitations depending on what you tow, but it is a very reliable engine. It does love to drink gas!
My brother in law still has a 2002 2500 Suburban with the 8.1 that he bought new to tow his Airstream. I once met a man at a gas station who had a 2500HD pickup with the 8.1 and an Allison transmission, he said he was never going to sell it. You could not get the Allison transmission in the Suburban, supposedly it would not fit.
GeoBoy
Explorer
Nov 05, 2019
jerem0621 wrote:
The 6.0l is a LS based V8 that was available in 2500 series and up trucks and in some limited capacities in the 1500 series trucks.

For a Suburban 2500 in the early 2000’s it is the base motor. Later examples 07-13 (ish I think) it was the only offering.

You could get a 6.0 in a Yukon Denali or a Cadillac Escalade in the early 2000’s as well.

It’s a tough motor and reliable as an anvil. It is head and shoulders better than a 350 small block. Great motors.

While the pesky spark plug spitting issue in the Fords was a bit overblown...I would say that the 6.0 is as reliable if not slightly more reliable than the 2v Ford Modular motors.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

X2. Great motor.
jerem0621
Explorer II
Nov 05, 2019
The 6.0l is a LS based V8 that was available in 2500 series and up trucks and in some limited capacities in the 1500 series trucks.

For a Suburban 2500 in the early 2000’s it is the base motor. Later examples 07-13 (ish I think) it was the only offering.

You could get a 6.0 in a Yukon Denali or a Cadillac Escalade in the early 2000’s as well.

It’s a tough motor and reliable as an anvil. It is head and shoulders better than a 350 small block. Great motors.

While the pesky spark plug spitting issue in the Fords was a bit overblown...I would say that the 6.0 is as reliable if not slightly more reliable than the 2v Ford Modular motors.

Thanks!

Jeremiah

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