So I found a donor engine. It's at the junkyard in a 2004 Escalade. It's a 6.0L Vin code "N" so it is the 345 hp version. This will be my first swap. I'm finally taking the plunge. What do you guys think of this engine. Pics attached. Heads are 317. They want $380 bucks. I have to pull it. I'm a bit concerned with getting the harness out intact. My buddy says to get that engine and leave the harness. Hmm any help is welcome. I'm actually serious about this buy

 

Get it and the harness also. just take your time.

 

See the truck isn't badly wrecked if wrecked at all does that matter? Badly peeled paint on truck but all Florida truck though no rust It's a 2004. LQ9 I'mby Vin code so it's 345HP if I read correctly. A nice find if it isn't seized I was thinking of going back over to see if they will let me start it somehow but they are definitely not friendly fellas over there at all. I can drive back over there today and pay the cash for it if some of you guys approve the buy as I am now 100 percent invested in going LS with LQ4/9 because I bought LS headers from speed engineering for the third gen and with those 1 7/8" primaries I figured I would jump to the 6.0 from the 5.3 route. They want $444 for it all which is the engine, intake , coilpacks, harness and fuel rails everything but the tranny I can take for $444. I'm just wondering if it's seized because it's really not wrecked up it has bad paint and the interior is stripped but I mean no major accident has me wondering just a bit. That's why I'm reaching out here again so soon because I can get this but I always check here first. I'm invested because of the 300 I just spend on headers that only fit LS. But additionally, at the same yard there's a ls1 car it's a first run version with outer bolts 4th gen camaro there but it's a 1998 so I don't want that block at all but is there things I need from that too to make the swap of my 6.0 go easier into the third gen? The place is 10 minutes away to determine where exactly the harness is located. Im just hoping it isn't seized up.or total junk any surefire ways to check the LQ9 and make sure she isn't a total loss seized ? I also want to know I got the harness parts I need and any parts from that older ls1 in terms of swap parts. There is a giant fuse box on the fender and all the coil packs are hooked up still where's the actual harness, how much do I need? There's bundles of wires that go into the firewall too. Should I snip there?

 

I agree with your buddy, leave the harness and buy a new harness. The last thing you want to deal with is a nightmare of wiring issues with your swap. You can get harnesses fairly cheap these days. On the engine side of things a decent spring kit and better cam and you should be good to go

 

I own a 2004 Yukon XL Denali with the exact same engine and it rocks so I can imagine in a lighter 3rd gen it would be interesting! Check the dash mileage if the battery is still hooked and functionning. Most often people gets rid of these trucks because of a transmission failure which are cost effective to repair with the 4X4 and all related parts... If you have a booster pack bring it and ask them persission to start it 1st

The harness often sells on Ebay for 100$-150$ complete without any cut. If you could by the whole truck as a donor car it would be awesome too but it all depends on pricing I guess

 

Looks good to me. Since it's a junkyard motor you're rolling the dice on whether or not it's any good.

You'll get a better look at it when it gets home. Check out Sloppy Mechanics on the cam/spring swap method. If it were me I'd do that swap and get it running in the Camaro.

 

I'd buy it in a heartbeat for that price.

 

Leave the harness on the motor and pull it. And that price is too cheap, so grab it! I've gotten 1 grand or more for the couple lq4 motors I've sold with the harness and ecm. But i knew they ran

 

The harness is super simple to pull with the engine

Theres a dash connector under the glovebox thats tricky to get out. Pull that through and disconnect the fuseblock and pcm bundle. Drape all that over the engine and pull as a complete unit

It's ok if you leave stuff behind though as only the longblock from that engine is really any use in a 3rd gen

 

Man... you better buy that before someone else does! LQ9 has 10.1:1 compression ratio and the better Gen 4 style rods. Get the harness and computer also.