New engine or new truck? Sierra 1500 edition

4,377 Views | 41 Replies | Last: 2 mo ago by lb3
Towns03
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3:06p, 3/6/18
AG
I'd love some wisdom from the AB folks.

My 2008 1500 Sierra z71 has about 215K miles on the original drivetrain. I've had almost zero problems with this truck so far but I know that can't last forever (cam shaft replaced in 2016). in order to maintain top reliability going forward I think it time to start considering these two options:

1) Find and buy a new Sierra 1500. I imagine to replace my equipment with new might cost $38K minus this trade in.

2) Have a shop drop in a 6.2L crate engine from Jegs. I think these come with a 100K warranty but I need to confirm. Total cost with labor will be around $10,000 with reprogram.
link to Jegs

I like the idea of a little more HP for boat hauling (esp around 1800-2000 rpm) but I don't really want to have a super thirsty engine.

WWYD??



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Cloud
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3:10p, 3/6/18
If it were me I'd get a new vehicle. 10 years is a pretty good amount of time on one vehicle.

Not sure I'd opt for another Sierra though.
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Mateo84
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3:14p, 3/6/18
AG
I'd either get a new one or drive this one into the ground, which it sounds like you've just about done
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zooguy96
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3:15p, 3/6/18
AG
Rebuilt engine from a junkyard with low miles?
I know a lot about a little, and a little about a lot.
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Towns03
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In reply to zooguy96 • 3:22p, 3/6/18
AG
reliability is too important to roll the dice with a random used engine...
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Towns03
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3:31p, 3/6/18
AG
no one thinks having 430HP would be fun? Anyone know what kind of MPG the 6.2 would get hauling a 4,000lb boat down the highway?
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Goose
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In reply to Towns03 • 3:55p, 3/6/18
AG
Towns03 said:
reliability is too important to roll the dice with a random used engine...
Hate to go all Debbie Downer on you, but mating a 430 hp crate motor to an 11 year old transmission with 215k miles on it doesn't exactly scream reliability either.
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Silvy
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4:00p, 3/6/18
AG
If you want that much power, you can just add some boost. Hopefully you actually deleted AFM and didn't just replace lifters and cam. If not, I would do AFM delete and get a small, boost friendly cam. I'd expect your 5.3 to make it to at least 300k

Your biggest issue is the 4L60e trans, it won't like the combination of desired power level and the weight of your truck. I'm not sure what's involved for a 6 speed swap, but most go 4L80e and then you'll want to regear on account of the 80e's 1st gear.

If you insist on 6.2, no way would I spend $10k on one. Your money would stretch MUCH further buying a used 6.0 (or 6.2) and then opening it up to check it out and ensure all is good. Since you're buying the engine proactively and not in a rush, it's a good time to do the work yourself and gain some knowledge. There aren't many special tools needed to tear an LS down and put it back together.
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TRIDENT
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4:38p, 3/6/18
AG
If it were me, I'd say it's time to get another new GMC. The 2019.
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SCHTICK00
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7:30p, 3/6/18
AG
Buy a 2k beater for in the event something breaks and fix as you go. Or buy something fun for less than 10k and always have a spare. Sounds smarter than options 1 and 2 if you still like the truck.
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SCHTICK00
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7:32p, 3/6/18
AG
I used to buy a new truck every two years because I was convinced I couldn't afford the downtime. Then I bought a Jeep for my standby and drive them for 6. I'm way ahead and the jeep is fun on the weekends.
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80085
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9:14p, 3/6/18
AG
I think Id go blaines, city motor, etc rebuilt exchange. Put a camshaft in there with specs thatll increase the dynamic compression over whatever you got. Exhaust headers thatll scavenge at low rpm, and have someone dyno tune it. HP likely wont go up much, but you could make that torque curve a flat plateau, and that 0-60 is where the real driving enjoyment is.

Itll still be an old worn out vehicle. I have several. I keep a list of all the broken or rattling stuff that bothers me and once a year or so devote a whole weekend to un-hooptying my ride.
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MouthBQ98
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10:09p, 3/6/18
AG
Same here. I have one new car, and keep 3 older cars running, for 2 drivers.
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91AggieLawyer
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10:14p, 3/6/18
AG
To a new engine -- not just no, but hell no.

I'd keep that truck as a spare and get an SUV or car as a daily driver. If you need a truck for a DD, then I'd get a newer one. If you haven't replaced other things on that '08, you likely will have to soon.
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CanyonAg77
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11:11p, 3/6/18
AG
Why are your only choices $10,000 and an old pickup or $40,000 and a new one? What about $20,000 and a really nice used one?
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TexasRebel
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11:42p, 3/6/18
AG
Obligatory:
Why put an old engine in a new truck?!
Just get a new both.


456 HP in a daily is kinda fun... especially when it doesn't weigh 2-tons.
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The Fife
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In reply to CanyonAg77 • 6:17a, 3/7/18
CanyonAg77 said:
Why are your only choices $10,000 and an old pickup or $40,000 and a new one? What about $20,000 and a really nice used one?
It sounds like a good idea, but are there really nice used ones for $20K any more? I admit I haven't kept up with truck pricing but I thought it went way up recently.
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bkag9824
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In reply to The Fife • 7:26a, 3/7/18
AG
Exact issue I'm facing now.
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CanyonAg77
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In reply to The Fife • 8:39a, 3/7/18
AG
About 6 months ago, I found a Sierra crew cab, 2WD, SLE, under 60K miles, 8.1 engine, Allison tra ns, etc. for $13,000.
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Maximus_Meridius
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In reply to The Fife • 8:53a, 3/7/18
AG
The Fife said:
CanyonAg77 said:
Why are your only choices $10,000 and an old pickup or $40,000 and a new one? What about $20,000 and a really nice used one?
It sounds like a good idea, but are there really nice used ones for $20K any more? I admit I haven't kept up with truck pricing but I thought it went way up recently.
Kinda depends on location and year model.
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BrazosDog02
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9:36a, 3/7/18
AG
Carmax offered me $2500 for my 2002 F-150 with 250,000 miles.

I lol'ed. All original.

It now has 306,000.

Personally, I'd drive yours into the ground. Worry about it when it becomes unreliable. There will ALWAYS be new cars available.
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Towns03
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In reply to Silvy • 11:07a, 3/7/18
AG
good info.

This might be the big pinch point on this project (transmission). The engine shop says they can rebuild the trans and it should be fine... I'd hate for all this to blow up in my face on a back road somewhere.

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Towns03
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In reply to SCHTICK00 • 11:09a, 3/7/18
AG
SCHTICK00 said:
I used to buy a new truck every two years because I was convinced I couldn't afford the downtime. Then I bought a Jeep for my standby and drive them for 6. I'm way ahead and the jeep is fun on the weekends.
yep. I already have the back-up Wrangler TJ. A breakdown on a trip somewhere is what I'm trying to avoid.
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Towns03
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11:11a, 3/7/18
AG
In a world free of consensus' it looks like we have a consensus. haha

Too bad - I was really pumped up about having a 'vette engine in my favorite truck.
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Silvy
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11:19a, 3/7/18
AG
If you have a backup and you're okay with making it your primary vehicle when something breaks, go for it brah.

Single 78mm turbo, cam, 80e swap w/ decent TC, and you'll be happy.
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Towns03
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In reply to Silvy • 11:22a, 3/7/18
AG
you don't think I can make it work well with a rebuilt 4l60?
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Silvy
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11:28a, 3/7/18
AG
Not reliably
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Towns03
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In reply to Silvy • 12:05p, 3/7/18
AG
just to make sure we're all on the same page: my truck is a drive-to-work truck, not a race truck. Occasionally I'll haul a boat to the coast so that's where the extra power would be nice (I don't like dropping into 3rd gear trying to maintain 70 mph).

will the 4l60 work if I'm not drag racing??
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BrazosDog02
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In reply to Towns03 • 12:33p, 3/7/18
AG
Towns03 said:
SCHTICK00 said:
I used to buy a new truck every two years because I was convinced I couldn't afford the downtime. Then I bought a Jeep for my standby and drive them for 6. I'm way ahead and the jeep is fun on the weekends.
yep. I already have the back-up Wrangler TJ. A breakdown on a trip somewhere is what I'm trying to avoid.
Check out AAA.
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Silvy
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In reply to Towns03 • 2:29p, 3/7/18
AG
U rite, not on the same page.

Keep 5.3, 212/218 low lift cam w/ LS6 springs, Circle D 3000-3200 stall torque converter, vette servo, Tru-Cool 40k trans cooler, long tube headers, & 4.10 gears. There's your entire build and will probably gap a stock 6.2 truck.
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Boo Weekley
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In reply to CanyonAg77 • 3:03p, 3/7/18
CanyonAg77 said:
About 6 months ago, I found a Sierra crew cab, 2WD, SLE, under 60K miles, 8.1 engine, Allison tra ns, etc. for $13,000.
What year?
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aggiepaintrain
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3:08p, 3/7/18
AG
up the oil change intervals and drive the truck until it craps out, no need to replace the engine just cuz....

300k should be easy to get.
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CanyonAg77
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In reply to Boo Weekley • 3:15p, 3/7/18
AG
Boo Weekley said:
CanyonAg77 said:
About 6 months ago, I found a Sierra crew cab, 2WD, SLE, under 60K miles, 8.1 engine, Allison tra ns, etc. for $13,000.
What year?

2002. But then, I don't care about age as much as condition. Current family daily drivers range from 1998 to 2008 models. Work trucks 1972-2004. Projects from 1950 to 1975
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Boo Weekley
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In reply to CanyonAg77 • 5:10p, 3/7/18
CanyonAg77 said:
Boo Weekley said:
CanyonAg77 said:
About 6 months ago, I found a Sierra crew cab, 2WD, SLE, under 60K miles, 8.1 engine, Allison tra ns, etc. for $13,000.
What year?

2002. But then, I don't care about age as much as condition. Current family daily drivers range from 1998 to 2008 models. Work trucks 1972-2004. Projects from 1950 to 1975
Gotcha...the way my Chevy wore down over the last few years in general (not engine or tr@nny but most everything else), I can't imagine driving a 2002. Out at the ranch or in the country it would be no big deal at all...but in the city of Houston, with potholes and stop and go traffic everywhere and most of the time, I'd prefer something more modern as a daily driver.

When we're talking work or farm trucks, almost feels weird to use something too new/nice though.
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Salt of the water
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6:02p, 3/7/18
AG
These are only marginally more than your 6.0 idea and would pull the boat much much better.
https://texags.com/forums/50/topics/2937352

https://texags.com/forums/50/topics/2934160

And as mentioned before; when the half ton daily craps out you won't be pressured into a new vehicle or overpay for expedited repairs because you'll have backup wheels.

Edit to add:
Missed the backup TJ comment. My bad. Still think I'd rather get a $10k 3/4 ton diesel for towing than sink that into a half ton.
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