H3 New Engine Swap!!

[SC_Hummer_Guy]

So I have decided to pull the trigger and get an engine and tranny swap for my 06 H3. I have many mod ideas I wanna put on it and the 3.5L I feel just isn't gonna cut it. Plus I wanna be able to use my low range like it should be designed for.

Kinda let me know why you guys would like what your picking too, being a rather inexperienced engine guy I am gonna run your ideas by my roommate who is a mech. I'm more of a fab idea guy haha!

So the burning question is what do you guys feel the best combo would be or just best idea for one or the other is? Ultimately I will pick something I like but I figured I would ask my fellow Hummer Addicts and Experts! So let the madness begin!


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[06 H3]

If I was ever to do it I would use a 6.0 or a 6.2L. The 6.2 in stock form is running over 400 horses but I have seen them tuned with well over 500. it also has over 400 lb-ft of torque too. Im not sure on the tranny but I would contact monster transmission.

 

[skeptic]

Personally, I'd sell the '06 and buy an Alpha.

 

[cgalpha08]

Personally, I'd sell the '06 and buy an Alpha.

What he said.

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[SC_Hummer_Guy]

Personally, I'd sell the '06 and buy an Alpha.

That will never happen. I have far to many memories in my truck.


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[M22KLARS]

Personally, I'd sell the '06 and buy an Alpha.

I agree. I hate to say it but... I have read far too many horror stories of engine swaps to ever want to try to pull one off in a newer vehicle.

Sure it can be done but at what cost? Does anyone remember that guy with the 3T that put that 6.2 in it? Anyone remember how much he spent on that to get it done right?!

If you're actually serious about this stick a diesel in there. You don't need massive amounts of HP for off roading. You need to be able to crawl.

 

[Hans3T]

Look at Mash Motors and check out some of their conversions. That might help inspire ya!

http://www.mashmotorsinc.com/

 

[06 H3]

I agree. I hate to say it but... I have read far too many horror stories of engine swaps to ever want to try to pull one off in a newer vehicle.

Sure it can be done but at what cost? Does anyone remember that guy with the 3T that put that 6.2 in it? Anyone remember how much he spent on that to get it done right?!

If you're actually serious about this stick a diesel in there. You don't need massive amounts of HP for off roading. You need to be able to crawl.

My biggest fear is just that...Reliability. Reliability always has and always will be #1 on my list. What good is something if it leaves you stranded or stuck on the side of the road. I am, by no means, saying it cant be reliable but it needs to be done by someone who is an expert. I am a DIYer, I will try and fix and make anything before anyone else touches it but even this I would send off to a pro. I would choose motor mash. I know their prices basically need a warning "heart attack may occur when price is shown" but it would be done like factory. So with that being said, I say go for it if you want but I would recommend having a pro do it.

In my eyes, getting stranded off road isnt a big concern for me. A front diff blows up, I can pull it out and be home in 4HI locked, I can change halfshafts, rear axle shafts, pull out a carrier in the rear end and do most anything to get me home without a tow truck(except for that damn tie rod last year :gaah but if one wire was installed incorrectly on that motor swap and it shorts out there is no way in hell I am gonna find that one small wire out of the thousands of wires in the engine bay.

Do it right, do it once even if that means you gotta get raped by prices.

If it makes you feel any better a HEMI swap is about 25k for a JK and motormash will do it for only 18,500!!

 

[cgalpha08]

Another option is to save up for the alpha. Youll get the proper set up of a bigger engine with all of the correct components, etc. And then later on down the road, do a swap in your 06 when you have the cash to do it right and not worry about reliability

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[SedonaBound]

Another option is to save up for the alpha. Youll get the proper set up of a bigger engine with all of the correct components, etc. And then later on down the road, do a swap in your 06 when you have the cash to do it right and not worry about reliability.

+1
The stock drivetrain in the 06 won't take much more torque, which seems to be the OP's priority. He's talking about almost doubling the power on a drivetrain that has enough issues with the modest 3.5. He'll end up pouring a ton of money into an orphan rig. Buying an Alpha with a drivetrain designed for the 5.3 V8 will be a comparative bargain.

 

[SC_Hummer_Guy]

Whatever engine I chose to have put in I am having it installed here at the dealership where my friend works, or a local one that knows their stuff about hummers. That way it will be totally covered by them. Also they will know of any components that may have issues and therefore be able to fix that at the same time. I'm not taking this engine swap to someone to just throw in and not do it right. I know the cost and what issues may arise out of this, an I'm prepared for that. I have a rather large gift of mod money as a present from the gf and her family so I plan to pay and give it to someone who knows what's up!


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[Mr_Rich]

Are you hampered by smog laws in your area? That may limit the choices that you have. Maybe the easiest swap would be the upgrade to a 3.7L I5. In reality that 6.2L swap wouldn't be practical. The rest of the drivetrain wouldn't survive a hot foot. That Mash Motors link referred to an H2 swap and does not compare to an H3.
I'd like the simplicity of a Chevy 4.3L V6 compared to the complexity of a 3.7L I5. They don't compare in horsepower stock, but there are some HO parts available for the 4.3L. I like the size of the engine and it would probably fit well in an H3 engine compartment. The 4.3L V6 is not a complicated engine to work on in comparison to an I5.
I've done engine swaps and my most recent completed project was installing a new LS6 and T56 in my '98 Firebird. I'm throwing some ideas out there in regards to your H3.

 

[Hans3T]

Just out of curiosity...how many miles are on your current powertrain?

 

[SC_Hummer_Guy]

Just out of curiosity...how many miles are on your current powertrain?

Right now I think I hit 77,700 yesterday at some point. If not within 50+/- miles.

And now all you guys have me wanting to do an alpha swap. I'm not all about HP I want something I can use to wheel and wheel well at that. I don't want to buy an alpha and sell mine, my truck has a certain sentimental value to it I wouldn't expect you all to understand fully. Hence why I wanna keep it and just swap out!


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[4speedfunk]

572 crate motor with ram Injection. Stand alone wiring harness. Mash it to the floor and watch drivetrain parts fly out from under it!

 

[SC_Hummer_Guy]

572 crate motor with ram Injection. Stand alone wiring harness. Mash it to the floor and watch drivetrain parts fly out from under it!

I'll think about that if I ever decide that I don't give a sh*t anymore! Till then I'll stick to having a truck that I love for more than a few reasons! Thanks!


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[06 H3]

I can relate to the sentimental value you have with ur rig...if I didn't id have a 2010 alpha f/r lockers and a 4:1 all factory still with a warranty!

There is one and only squeaky!!

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[kflips]

Wiring harness would be a challenge I will bet. I have a raptor trans with monster sun shell - just have to get free time to wheel.
wouldn't the space in the engine compartment limit your options? I think there have been a number of threads on this in the last year

 

[5gn-h3t]

I'm fairly certain that almost any gen IV V8 with the appropriate PCM could be used. You WILL have some issues that will take time to resolve. I'd use an aluminum block engine and use a car intake.

There's only one way to find out for sure...

 

[SC_Hummer_Guy]

So it seems the best way to go about this is to simply do a swap to equal out to an Alpha. Still a GM Engine and well it's been done ever since 2008 in the factories. I guess my question is besides an update on engine to a 5.3 and trans to a 4:1, and I believe suspension upgrade (which I'll get with my rancho lift) what am I really missing that needs to be swapped? Updates on the PCM, different harness, and what not are a given.

Lord have mercy if it's a long a$$ list!


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[06 H3]

suspension you want the alpha torsion bars, they have a higher spring rate to accommodate for the added weight. Not sure on the electronics. Personally I say go for the 6.2. The power would be insane but just know that your gonna have to be easy on the skinny pedal and also be ready to make future powertrain upgrades.

 

[SC_Hummer_Guy]

suspension you want the alpha torsion bars, they have a higher spring rate to accommodate for the added weight. Not sure on the electronics. Personally I say go for the 6.2. The power would be insane but just know that your gonna have to be easy on the skinny pedal and also be ready to make future powertrain upgrades.

Thanks Chris. And yeah I looked at the 6.0 from Mash Motors that Hans suggested and where as the power is awesome and I could use it in Mud around here, I don't tow things as often any more and I want to keep as little "potential" problems out of it as possible. Hence why an alpha swap might be a tid bit easier.


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[06 H3]

yea the alpha swap I would probably say is the "safest." For mud I would say the 6.0/6.2 would be good. I feel like the powertrain wouldnt take as much of a beating seeing everything is slick and will have some give. Out in so cal especially the rocks or in moab once the tire grips it will just eat parts. for the rocks Id rather find a way to gear down the front diff or find a company like monster transmission to make a lower gear ratio in the t case or tranny for first gear. While you are still getting more power to the ground with gearing down it will be more at an idle instead of at higher rpms. I can go on forever but I am just gonna stop...lol

 

[JonBishop]

just throw a 6.6 duramax in it :wink:

 

[alrock]

If I recall correctly, F5 indicated that GM made changes in for the 2008+ models to the firewall and/or tunnel to accommodate the 5.3 so some sheetmetal work may be required.