Author Topic: 5.3 LS swap tune?..bench tune ...dyno tune?..is it worth it?  (Read 5690 times)

Offline 84Silverado4x4

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5.3 LS swap tune?..bench tune ...dyno tune?..is it worth it?
« on: September 17, 2014, 10:14:46 PM »
I recently swapped a 2006 5.3 vortec in my 84 Chevy k10 4x4 and I'm up and running and things seem to be pretty good thus far.  I don't have a ton of miles on it yet and I have only done a basic bench flash on the computer.  I have a lifted truck so I don't expect to get great mileage but I have read that others are getting some pretty good fuel economy out of them.  What are those that have done these swaps getting for mpg?  Would I gain fuel mileage if I had it custom dyno tuned or will I really only gain a little in performance?
84 Silverado Reg Cab Shortbox 4x4
4" lift with 35's
5.3 vortec, 4l60e, np208, dana44, GM 12 bolt

Offline Captkaos

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Re: 5.3 LS swap tune?..bench tune ...dyno tune?..is it worth it?
« Reply #1 on: October 09, 2014, 10:38:55 PM »
depends on what you are trying to do and who is tuning it?  Is it a stock motor? 
I am getting 14mpg average with mine, but it is twin turbo'd.  I tuned it to not blow up if I get really agressive with it as it is a stock bottom it.  I capped it at 455/505, actually my dyno guy did.
When I go into the replacement motor I will change that.
The other one I am working on I plan to go after economy.

Offline 84Silverado4x4

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Re: 5.3 LS swap tune?..bench tune ...dyno tune?..is it worth it?
« Reply #2 on: October 14, 2014, 08:44:53 PM »
My truck is a lifted truck with 35" tires and 4:56 gears and I am running a 4l60e overdrive trans.  With a stock 2006 tune a cold air intake and dual exhaust.  I was getting right around 12-12.5 mpg in town with pretty light foot driving but I was thinking it could be a bit better.  I had it dyno tuned last week and haven't been able to check milage with it yet but I had an increase of about 15 hp and 20ftlbs torque.  He said it wasn't far off on the stock tune but was able to lean it up just a touch and that should help with mileage a bit and the power and torque gains seemed decent.
84 Silverado Reg Cab Shortbox 4x4
4" lift with 35's
5.3 vortec, 4l60e, np208, dana44, GM 12 bolt

Offline Qwk

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Re: 5.3 LS swap tune?..bench tune ...dyno tune?..is it worth it?
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2014, 02:40:01 PM »
Here is Derrick's 83 that he had tuned.  He said it runs better after the tune, not sure about his mpg thou. :)

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152795517969114&set=vb.147282994113&type=2&theater

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: 5.3 LS swap tune?..bench tune ...dyno tune?..is it worth it?
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2014, 11:15:39 PM »
how long do you think the 4l60e will hold up with 35s and some power?
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes

Offline 84Silverado4x4

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Re: 5.3 LS swap tune?..bench tune ...dyno tune?..is it worth it?
« Reply #5 on: November 11, 2014, 08:19:05 PM »
I didn't notice the truck really running any different but it sure runs nice and starts awesome in the cold.  I think I picked up a mile or two per gallon in town and I haven't had it on the highway really yet for a long run so I'm not sure what it would do there.  I don't have real dyno numbers from the tune as he made the pulls in second because with the lift and extreme driveshaft angles he didn't want to push his luck at hi speed but we do know the gains of 15hp and 20 ftlbs tq from the base line and final pull.  I think the 4l60e will hold up pretty fair.  We put good parts in it and a few corvette upgrades to try and improve it.  The truck is light, the engine isn't making any big power, and the 4:56 gears should help get the 35's rolling.  As long as I'm not too hard on it and I don't pull in overdrive with a significant load I should be fine.
84 Silverado Reg Cab Shortbox 4x4
4" lift with 35's
5.3 vortec, 4l60e, np208, dana44, GM 12 bolt

Offline Irish_Alley

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Re: 5.3 LS swap tune?..bench tune ...dyno tune?..is it worth it?
« Reply #6 on: November 11, 2014, 10:31:13 PM »
so its a built 4l60e. thats nice to know you took some time/money to do it right
If you can’t tell yourself the truth, who can you tell it to?~Irish_Alley

When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth ~Sherlock Holmes