In search of LS1 swap

[Pootis]

LS2's were 6.0 Aluminum Blocks. Escalade motors were LQ9's which is a high compression 6.0 iron block

[f4tj0n]

The LQ9 out of an Escalade is an iron block, as well as the 4.8/5.3. All of the LS motors are aluminum minus the LSX block.

[marshallnoise]

I was kind of right and kind of wrong. The 6.2 L92 that is in 2007 and up Escalades have aluminum blocks.

[jon volk]

The L33 and LM4 are aluminum 5.3's. Out of those, the L33 has better heads.

[flyboyx]

i hate to offer advice on a sellout engine swap, but here is all you have to do:

1) spin the crank shaft over with a wrench. feel the compression on all cylinders. if it feels good, go to step 2 below.

2) roll it upside down or on its side and take off the oil pan. see what it looks like inside. if its full of sludge and gook, pass on that one. if it looks clean and has had regular oil changes, take a look at the cylinders from the bottom and see if you can see scoring or wear. pull off the thrust bearing cap and see what the shell looks like. if it looks good, buy the engine and stop being such a waffles.

[Q8y_drifter]

I don't quite understand your fixation with the LS1. They're all the same architecture and almost everything is swappable between them. It really doesn't matter that much unless you have a specific goal in mind that warrants a specific engine (i.e must be iron block for reliable boost).
5.7 LS1s are the cheapest LS-based engines over here (we have a shit ton of 2000-2006 Chevy caprices here) which is why I went with it. A 4.8/5.3 vortec would've been double the price.

[djjerme]

The LSx motors are fairly cheap around here. Like I said, my Saab 9-7x has the first version of the all aluminum 5.3. It also had that dreaded cylinder deactivation.

I picked it up at auction with a collapsed lifter and 110k. After pulling the heads and throwing in New lifters and the updated LOMA, used a tuner to defeat the cylinder deactivation and firm up the shifts. Runs great now..

If the motor ever goes, I'll swap it out for a 6.0 (these did come factory with them starting in '07.)



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[lukeADE335i]

A couple of weeks ago I was looking at a 60K 2003 Corvette powertrain everything minus the transmission for $3200. The engine was already out so I couldn't hear it run and they basically said it ran great before it was pulled but would not offer me at minimum a start up warranty.

I am not asking for the moon but if I am spending the money I wanted some kind of assurance I was getting what I paid for.

That motor sounds a good buy - people are too paranoid these days. Just buy the thing - or save the pennies and buy a new crate motor with warranty.

If you're swapping it in to something that wasn't originally an LS1, I wouldn't give you a warranty on a used engine either - I'd have no idea what you're going to do with the cooling system etc. that might screw up the motor and then try to blame the seller for selling you a 'dud'.

[rzerob]

Thank you to everyone for the advice. Most of the engines I am finding that seem to be what I am looking for are 6hrs+ one way so I am not physically there to inspect the power train. If I do happen to find one within a reasonable driving distance I will take flyboys advice in the checking of the engine.

I have been burned before and I know quite a few other people who have been burned because they put trust in someone they didn't know. So I am hesitant in pulling the trigger when I think I find a good deal.

That is mainly why I posted in here for advice on where to purchase a power train. Hoping that a fellow member had a good experience with a company or personally knew someone who did. And if they could give me a phone number, email address or website I could expand my search.

[Heitzke]

Have you looked at copart? Look for pure sale auctions, and/or ones that have 'start guarantees' or that 'lot run'. Depending on the state, you may or may not need a license to purchase salvaged vehicles.

Your pool is also pretty limited with the drivetrain package you need from a t/a, camaro, gto. Finding a motor/trans package in a running car is about the only guarantee you'll be able to find.

Budget-wise, i have to second/third/forth the sentiment that a 5.3 is the way to go. Ported LS6 heads (or hell, even drop on) and a baby cam, and you won't miss any of the displacement.

[flyboyx]

2002-03 x5 came with a 4.6 liter m62 that was about 350hp. just sayin.......

[marshallnoise]

2002-03 x5 came with a 4.6 liter m62 that was about 350hp. just sayin.......

Vanos....boo.

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[flyboyx]

^an s62 has vanos. would you kick that engine out of your bed? i only see it as a little bit more wiring work. as long as you get the original dme, its still plug and play. for that matter, an m50, m52, s50, s52, s54, and every other modern bmw engine has it too.

[marshallnoise]

I guess I have trepidation over vanos like I would for Lexus's VVTi. Lexus uses many more sensors just to get the thing to work.

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[gazellebeigem3]

Vanos....boo.

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boo vanos, yay pooshrods?