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What is a 6.0L Chevy engine

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Navigator II
Navigator II
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?
.
2001 Suburban 4x4. 6.0L, 4.10 3/4 ton **** 2005 Jayco Jay Flight 27BH **** 1986 Coleman Columbia Popup
23 REPLIES 23

wowens79
Explorer III
Explorer III
I've got a 2002 with 235,000 miles with the 6.0. Never any issues with the engine, or the tranny. I've only had expected wear items, and a few oil leaks. They make their power at high RPMs, so don't worry about turning 4K RPMs, that's where they make their power.
2022 Ford F-350 7.3l
2002 Chevy Silverado 1500HD 6.0l 268k miles (retired)
2016 Heritage Glen 29BH
2003 Flagstaff 228D Pop Up

fitznj
Explorer
Explorer
I had the 6.0L in my 3500 Van. This engine and the transmission were bulletproof; I never had a single issue with either (or the rest of the van)
in close to 90,000 miles of towing.

I only sold it because I was bored with it and wanted something newer !!
Gerry

Grit_dog
Navigator
Navigator
No need for a 8.1 if an old 350 does the trick now. 6.0 will out pull it all day.
Yes very bulletproof IMO. Didn't have a lot of experience with them until recently but we have a bunch of old 3-4 tons construction trucks with them and the engines are about the only thing that don't need work.
Never actually owned a LS motor until a few weeks ago, bought a 2001 Tahoe 5.3. Great, simple, quiet, well laid out, relatively powerful engine.
I'm not a fan of newer 6.0s for their power compared to Ford 6.2 or 6.4 Hemis but they work. All day every day.
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5โ€ turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

APT
Explorer
Explorer
search for number of GM 2500 pickups with over 300k miles. I expect you'll find a lot. Good reliable motor. Compared to your 5.7L, a little less torque (perceived) at 2500rpm, but will pull harder over 4000rpm. Love mine.

I highly recommend finding an 8.1L in that vintage of Suburban (or Yukon XL).
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009
2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS
2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R
2x 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV (Gray and Black Twins)

ksss
Explorer
Explorer
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.
2020 Chevy 3500 CC 4X4 DRW D/A
2013 Fuzion 342
2011 RZR Desert Tan
2012 Sea Doo GTX 155
2018 Chevy 3500HD CC LB SRW 4X4 D/A
2015 Chevy Camaro ZL1

opnspaces
Navigator II
Navigator II
Thanks That sets my mind at ease a bit.
.
2001 Suburban 4x4. 6.0L, 4.10 3/4 ton **** 2005 Jayco Jay Flight 27BH **** 1986 Coleman Columbia Popup

rwess
Explorer
Explorer
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.
rwess
USN Ret.
2017 Open Range 216RBS
2010 Chevy 2500HD Z71 4x4 LT

GeoBoy
Explorer
Explorer
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 2000โ€™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 2000โ€™s as well.

Itโ€™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
Explorer II
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 2000โ€™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 2000โ€™s as well.

Itโ€™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
TV-2022 Silverado 2WD
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