Vortec 6.0 cost
 

Does anyone have an idea of what a salvage yard (or private sale) Vortec 6.0 with a 4l80 trans plus accessories should be worth in 2023? I'm looking at yards and other sales sources but the price range is quite large. I'm trying to find something to put in my '67 GMC and I haven't found any info about price on this site yet. Thank you all in advance.

Re: Vortec 6.0 cost
 

well, i can tell you one thing for sure...prices will be all over the place depending on location, mileage, condition..etc etc..
the 6.0s are more sought after than the 5.3s or 4.8s..so that means prices are gonna be higher..then step up to the 6.2s and they get even crazier..
but i gave $1200 for mine over 10yrs ago.. from what ive seen lately id be suprised to find a complete 6.0 without trans for under $2k

Re: Vortec 6.0 cost
 

My 6.0 complete minus transmission was $1600 about 3 years ago. Private seller.
car.part is showing anywhere from $4k to $1k depending on condition for gen3 stuff.
Look at LKQ for an idea too.

The folks back east have rust as an advantage in this situation. They can buy rotted out runners for relatively cheap and part them. Not so much on this side of the country.

Re: Vortec 6.0 cost
 

I always say a good source for LS engines is whole vehicles bought through insurance auctions in your area. Gen IV stopped in 1/2 tons 2014 but were still used in 3/4 tons and up for quite a few years beyond that, often 6.0's. Also watch for vans and cutaways, which are also good trans donors being 2wd.

Re: Vortec 6.0 cost
 

I bought a 2002 Silverado 2500 with a Utility Body at a local Auction. Not wrecked, nor an insurance auction like Copart or IAA. Just a local auction selling a truck.

It had about 160,000 miles. This was before truck/car prices went crazy, but in 2020 I think. Came with no key, but that wasn't a big deal to me. I had bought a Suburban from copart that came with no key so I knew how to bypass. I actually took a different path with the Silverado and got the key cylinder out and took it to a locksmith who cut a key by feel.

Truck ran and drove great. But, the AC didn't work and the Heater core was bypassed. I paid about $2700 for the truck all in. I figured if the AC and heat worked it was worth $4000+. I bought the truck because I wanted the engine and trans but felt like I overpaid. So I figured I might try to sell it whole, or If I could sell enough parts off it to make the engine and trans cheap I'd part it. Was able to sell the Utility Body for $800 and that made up my mind to part it.

Sold a few other parts and then some guy wanted a fender, then a door and then he said how about the whole thing. I said come get it.

I figured I ended up with just over $1000 in the Engine, Trans, Harness, Computer, etc....

I completely resealed the engine and put new cam, lifters, push rods, rocker arms, water pump. Cleaned and painted it.

Took the trans and had it rebuilt for $1500, re-builder said it had lots of wear. I was thinking I probably didn't need it rebuilt since it rand and drove fine and probably would have lasted a long time in my swap vehicle without doing so.

Re: Vortec 6.0 cost
 

If you have time and don't mind gambling then the Pick-a-parts run holiday specials sometimes. Ours has Escalades and HD2500s with 6.0s from time to time. Probably vans too. They get roughed up pretty fast, but that is a cheap source if you have patience.

Re: Vortec 6.0 cost
 

Around me 6.0L are generally $1200-$2500 which is a pretty big premium over 4.8/5.3's. The kicker is the 4L80's. It's winter here 4+ months a year so hardly any 2wd trucks. The 2wd 4L80's go for as much as the 6.0L's or more. It has me thinking 5.3/TH400 for my own truck.

Re: Vortec 6.0 cost
 

I certainly wouldn’t pass up a 5.3 if I was looking, these trucks generally had barely 200 hp from the factory. A stock 5.3 is close to double that.

I recently found a 2004, 5.3 with a 4 x 4 4L60 and all the accessories and hoses and mounts and battery cables for $3000 shipped from Pennsylvania to my door. I know there are cheaper options out there but this also only had 88,000 miles.

Re: Vortec 6.0 cost
 

Try car-part.com. You can search locally or nation wide.

Re: Vortec 6.0 cost
 

I've been looking myself too. 2003 and newer services vans are a good place to look. GMC Denalis and Cadillac Escalades too for just the 6.0. The SUVs had 4l65's with AWD, so you'll have to hunt down a 2wd trans.

Re: Vortec 6.0 cost
 

That's what I struggled with is finding a 2wd 4L60E as a core for rebuilding. Here in central MN 99% of the trucks are 4wd. Not many 2wd's around of any type. Local salvage yards wanted $900 for a "used" 2wd 4L60E with many miles on it. 30 day warranty.
My local tranny guy buys 2wd cores from somewhere for about $300 and then upgrades them as needed.

Re: Vortec 6.0 cost
 

Don't forget the box trucks too. My 6.0 came out of an Isuzu box truck. Comes with 2 wheel drive and the f-body oil pan and manifolds.

Re: Vortec 6.0 cost
 

It isn't a big deal to convert one. Ebay sellers for the output shaft and the extension housing. The most difficult part about the conversion is not looking at the rest of the transmission, for issues, when you have the pump out.
Cheers.