hi, i have a 97 k1500 with the stock 5.7 and i have some small bolt ons on it but nothing major, well pretty much, im not happy with it and am looing to make it into a project truck, well i want to keep the 4wd so i can hook up when i need to but ive debated what i want to do for the engine, i know pretty much whatever i put in it, its going to have a pretty big *** cam in it, so i started off considering putting a LT1 in it but that doesnt really open up oppurtunities like i want so i kicked that idea to the curb, i tossed around some othe ideas but the one thats sticking right now is putting a LQ9 in it, i have a friend who have a 2004 sierra in it and it ran pretty well, now he has a escalade with the lower compression LQ4 in it and its a severe power difference so i think LQ9 is the way to go, anyone done anything similar? i need suggestions people, please give me any ideas you have

 

Question #1. Whats the budget?

Question #2. Is it going to be a street truck, trail truck or combo?

 

The LQ9 is only 30 hp less so not a huge differance.

I doubt an Escalade has an lq4 but I don't know all the vehicals with what motors they have but most of the high end ones have the lq9.

That all being said the lq9 is a better place to start because 30 hp is obviously a help. Problem is they are harder to find. You should be able to find a 6.0 with harness around $1500 and it is one of your best options for a swap. Huge aftermarket and great power to start.

 

its going to be a street truck with the occasional trip to the drag strip, and the budget isnt really set, just the more expensive the project the longer it would take but im up for anything, and the escalade is a 03 i think and i believe it was the first year they put it in there, and the same friend that has the escalade had the LQ9 seirra but it got stolen and he got the escalade from the insurance check, well the escalade is a lot heavier and is awd but is ALOT slower then the seirra so thats why i want to go with that motor

 

and im still in brain storming mode but at the moment i am going to through a cam in the LQ9 to give a nice power increase