My truck is getting up there on mileage but I would like to buy a sports car first before I get a new truck, so I am going to keep my truck for at least another 5-6 years. I am at 135K miles now ant when i get around 175-200 (or sooner) i will want to replace the motor. My first inkling is a 6.0L lq9 as that would be the easiest with just reusing my computer with updated tuneing. I'm not looking for high Hp, just reliability and extra pep.

my plans would either to buy a crate motor, find a used one with 50-120K miles and have it rebuilt locally or get a re-manufactured long block. I would most likely used my intake and accesories on either the local rebuild or re-manufactured long block. I take it I would have to use my sensors if i got a 03-06 LQ9, or would my sensor cables plug right in. I know it would be cheaper to get a motor rebuilt or buy a remanufactured one then getting a crate motor, but which is better, a re-manufactured or a locally rebuilt one.

I was thinking about a ls6 longblock, but i have read that the LQ9 would be better. Mainly I am looking for an engine that will go right in the place of mine without having to really change anything other then an intake and maybe a sensor or two. my biggest issue is my TB is cable actuated. also will my injectors on my stock inake work on the 6.0L? any changes to the water pump needed?

Lastly I was thinking about a L92, but i know at the very least the reluctor ring would need to be changed, and I couldn't use my stock intake because of the cathedral ports vs. the square ports, but what else? sensors? and what would i do for a TB?

thanks

 

If you go with an LQ9, all of your sensors, accessories, intake, etc. will swap right over. As far as which is better, reman or local built, it all depends on the builder or reman company. New crate motor would be best but also the most expensive, personally I'd be more comfortable with a low mileage used engine that hasn't been whored up, but that's just me

 

Going the LQ9 would be the easiest route and a good one, but unless you pick up a used motor or have one built you may have a tough time finding one. The LQ9 has been discontinued new, but Scoggin Dickey digs up a few here and there. It was a month or two back they were trying to unload a shipment of them and you could give them a shout, but eventually the well is going to go dry on them.

 

Yea, I know that they're no longer available new, last time I checked SDPC's website for the heck of it they didn't even have them listed. Does GM still have the Target motor program?

 

yeah i would like to LQ9 crate motor but cost is an issue, I have seen a few of a few websites but i figured they would have been discontinued soon if not already. Also that was part of my reason for looking at reman or get a junk yard one and having it rebuilt. I have seen some with 100K for about 1100 and one with 45K for 1200, but I am trying to put money away for another car, home, and general savings, plus mine is running ok now, but i know eventually it will need a rebuild and id rather put more power in then just the 5.3

 

You could probably find an LQ4 cheaper than an LQ9, then get higher compression depending on which heads you go with or by having the LQ4's 317's milled...

 

there are certain lq4 to stay away form right? like 99-00 or something

 

Yes, stay away from the '99/'00 models due to the long crank and iron heads. Actually the blocks from those two years will work fine as they are the same, but if your wanting to use the rotating assembly as a whole they won't do you any good. If you can't find a LQ9 for your rebuild, I would start with a '05 thru '07 (GM says '06/'07) if you can get one reasonably as they also come with the LQ9 rods with floating pins, The '03 and up LQ4's also came with the coated piston skirts so that would be my next choice and then if all else fails a '01 or '02 model. But really all that is a mute point if you are planning on a complete rebuild as any of the 6.0's will work just fine and LQ4 rods hold up to most abuse, so it's really only good info if your planning on running the motor as you pick it up.

 

my other thing is i want to take my headers off and put the stock manifolds and Y back on, Mainly to have cats again< i am so tired of the smell. but maybe i can post a pic and someone can help me plan out a Y for the headers with cats.

 

not to to thread jack ,but how do you tell if you have a lq4 or lq9, whad they come in?