Going to look at a few 6.0's
 

I am going in the next few days to look at 6.0's at local salvage yards. Im deffinately going wtih an lq9. Aluminum heads and probably iron block(doesnt matter whcih to the best of my knowledge, just probbaly be cheaper. I just want a few things to look out for.

Im hoping to come home with one under 50k miles NOT BUrnt, complete longblock.

Plans then will be a cam, heads, intake manifold, and pending onfunds in the next few months a set of forged pistons(can I just change pistons or would i have to hone the block?), and of course rod bolts and the few cam goodies that go along with a cam install. A

Im just looking for a few things to look out for while looking at the motors. Oh yah MUST BOLT TO A 4L60E. That would be an lq9 correct? and on the block what is the vin number/letter to tell if it is an lq4 or lq9?

THanks ahead of time.

If it matters this will be in a 2000 rcsb with 2700 stall, full bolts on and 4:10's.

There are no aluminum block 6.0's for trucks, all are iron.

The only difference between the LQ4 and LQ9 is the rods and pistons. Vin code U is the LQ4, vin code N in the LQ9. LQ9's are only in Silverado SS and Escalades.

You can bolt any of the engines to any of the trannies by changing the flexplate. I will have a stock LQ9 flexplate for sale soon if you end up needing one.

All LQ9's are iron blocks

You REALLY should hone the block if you swap pistons...it *may* not be necessary but it's ALWAYS a good idea

All 2002+ LQ4/9 motors should bolt to a 4L60e without a problem.....99-01 6.0's had a longer crank flange and would not bolt to a 4L60e without a crank swap

There are no external markings to determine whether you are looking at an LQ4 or LQ9....pulling a spark plug and checking the piston (you're looking for a flat-top in the LQ9) is the only real way to tell

Careful there.....there ARE crank differences in the early 6.0's that will prevent a 6.0 from being bolted to a 4L60e, if you use a wide-flange crank with a 4L60e it will push the converter into the tranny pump and cause it to fail pretty quick

Good point, I was thinking that since he was looking for something with aluminum heads he wouldn't have to worry about the crank issue since it would have to be a newer engine. I should have specified that.

Do the 01's have aluminum heads and the longer crank flange?

alright well it seems all I can find are LQ4's.

Bore/stroke are all the same corect? Only difference are pistons one flat top and other dished?

The LQ4 being flat top?
LQ9 dished with higher compression?

So yall are stating if I get one iwth aluminum heads the crank will be the "shorter" crank and will bolt to my 4l60e with no problesm correcT?

thunder550: *some* '01's have the aluminum heads and wide flange...it's kind of a crap-shoot with the '01 motors

onebadrubi: LQ4=dished piston (on *most* of them, I've discovered at least two people on here with flat-top'd LQ4's), ALL LQ9's have flat-tops

NO....ALL '02+ LQ4/LQ9 motors will bolt up to a 4L60e without issue, '01 LQ4/LQ9 motors are a crap-shoot because some have the wider flange and some don't...it all depends on the application, ALL '99-'00 6.0 motors have the wider crank flange for the 4L80e

If you have the actual vehicle there "N" is LQ9 and "U" us LQ4.