So I got a LQ9 for $300.00 from a buddy. It's out of a 04 Escalade and had a 106,000 on the clock. So here's the deal the owner replaced it because it was making one hell of a noise. However my buddy found out when he got it that the serpentine tensioner was toast.

So the motor appears to be in good condition. He pulled the heads and and everything was in good shape except there was a slight lip at the top cylinder bores. Everything turned over nice, no shavings ,oil was real clean,cylinder walls were in good shape.

I was thinking of getting push rods, a gasket kit and new head bolts and running it the way it is. Or am I being dumb? Should I at least do a full stock rebuild? I'm thinking this thing has a lot of life left before it needs a rebuild.

Thoughts?

 

First, let me begin by telling you how jealous I am of you. I've wanted an LQ9 for quite sometime now.

IMO a motor should have a full rebuild around the 200k mark. I don't know how much driving you do, but if I had that motor pulled and torn apart already, it wouldn't even be a question for me. Preventative maintenance is the key to a healthy little girl.

 

And WELCOME!!

 

Thanks. You'll be seeing more of me. Especially now that I have a LQ9 transplant in my future.

 

Hell if you find another one be sure to let me know!!!

 

I would just slap it back together and run it.

 

 

I guess that would depend on what you're working on. I would personally drop a cam in there and do some internal damage since it's already torn apart...that is if you are shaking too much because you just STOLE AN LQ9!!! But personally, I would build up the motor before even putting it back together and dropping it in. Yeah, it's got 350+ @ the crank already, but why not make it 400+ at the wheels the first time? Just my thoughts.

 

i would say it depends on funds. if you got the money it would be alot easier with the engine out and pulled apart. id order a complete cam set, gaskets and lifters too.

 

I would at least flip it and throw in a set of rod and main bearings
it's so easy to do it now. also cheap insurance.