So as you all know I went to the junkyard today in search of a LS engine. Specifically looking for a LQ4/9 or a LM7. I found a LQ9 with 317 heads (might sell these heads to someone with forced induction and get some 243s but...) They want 300 for the LQ9 unknown running condition, any idea how to see if it's seized or not? And I have to pull it from the 2004 Escalade truck it's in. The harness is there but I'm unsure how much of it I need. There is a huge fuse box attached to the front quarter and all wires / fuel rails/ connectors/ coil packs, are in unmolested shape. I posted three pics of it on my previous post. I gladly would like some advice before I get it as I'm sure it might sell soon. But they also have a first generation ls1 (1998) so I'm not interested in the engine. But I am interested in knowing if there is anything I should grab from that car that would help me in my ls swap. It is complete with all accessories. All of its pulleys and the intake are intact. I know it's a first gen ls1 because of the valve cover bolt position. Plus it's a 98. So should I grab the computer, harness, radiator, accessories, mounting brackets and pulleys....can I use them in my LQ9 6.0 in the third gen or do I not need to pull from that car too, just the Escalade? I already ordered a set of headers from speed engineering for my LS and was planning on using a new Holley oil pan regardless. Is there anything I need from the fourth gen camaro with the 1st run ls1 that will help me get the lq9 iron 6.0 into my car? Would you please help describe in detail what I should pull from the Cadillac Escalade (harness, etc is it in the fuse box?) And also what do I need from the Camaro to help complete my 6.0 transplant into the 1988 Camaro (originally 305 car)

 

Read the swap guide

 

Seriously scooter? I've read it countless times. I know the truck accessories don't fit under a stock Camaro hood but with the alternator relocation bracket I've seen it done. I know thanks to the swap guide what I need in terms of mounting the LS in my car, the neccesary fuel upgrades, etc I'm not asking how to identify a LQ4 vs a LQ9 I've done that with the Vin. It's a Vin "N" so it's the LQ9 I've read the guides and am on here for hours daily reading. I just want to make sure I'm not getting a seized engine since the truck doesn't seem that wrecked if at all. That's not in the swap guide man.

 

Do you really need to create two threads to discuss the same thing you've been talking about since the last five threads you created? It's one thing if you post something in the same thread and don't get an answer in a few days to bump the thread or create another thread for a specific question, it's another to start a nearly identical thread an hour later. It's the same topic.

If you don't know how to find out if an engine will run, or if it'll turn over, you shouldn't be trying to pull an engine, or swap an engine. Not trying to be hard on you, but you aren't going to go out and run a marathon when you can't walk. You seem really determined to do things the hard way, so you should definitely buy it, try to get it out, and take it home before you know if it's locked up. Don't worry about the millions of miles it probably has on it either, or why it ended up in a junkyard if it isn't wrecked. That can't possibly be relevant since you're taking the engine.

If you ask nicely, junkyard staff will usually hook up the giant fork lift loader to the engine and just jerk it while cutting stuff with the torch until the engine pops right out. Saves a lot of time over doing it on your back.

 

I'd consider my previous threads not related at all.

I like many had the original dilemma of determining whether I was going Gen 1 or GenIII/GenV thanks to the help of the forum I've decided on an iron block 6.0 LQ4/9 for my conversion.

Secondly I asked questions regarding several engines for sale on Craigslist and other markets to come to the Grand conclusion that Craigslist is full of scammers and to avoid entirely.

Advice taken.

Then I buy a set of speed engineering headers for my LS swap to actually to put one tiny foot and $300 forward into my LS commitment.

I now am in the process of finding a qualified donor engine that has a 6.0 so naturally I'm asking about truck engines. I have read the truck engine swap guide as well. Don't bash me for moving forward. It's better than what I was doing dreaming.

 

P s I know I can crank it over by hand with a ratchet and breaker but don't exactly do this thing everyday. No need to make me seem dumb when I'm not. I'm actually getting quite educated in little time on things. And it's important to me.

What really sucks is when I get a notification for a reply to my thread and get my hopes up for wholesome advice like most members provide, only to get a one liner or a bash on my mechanic skills. This like it or not is going to be the way I get my hands deep into mechanics and I will succeed. Partially because I know there are folks on here who are tremendously helpful and they can remember back to what times were like before they were master techs. Gotta start somewhere!


Many members know I'm not going at this alone. The swap part. My dad is a master tech. He is in Pennsylvania I am in Florida. We are doing the swap up there when the weather is good. And I am to find the engine. So don't assume I'm some dummy just trying to wing it with no skills. I'm going to learn as we go. But admittedly need plenty of help choosing a lq4 or lq9 because it means a lot to me.

 

Sure. But you have to understand, the forum doesn't owe you anything. The forum isn't going to come over and bail you out when you screw up. The forum giveth, and the forum taketh away. It's just as annoying to people viewing the forum when they click "New Posts" and there are two nearly identical threads in the list, or when they read a thread and it's referencing a previous thread and there isn't a link posted to that thread, so a person literally has to search your user history to find the thread you're talking about. It's a two way road.

 

You can turn the crank pulley using a long breaker bar and 27mm 12-point socket. Or you can carry in a jump-start battery and use the starter motor (if it works). Definitely take the harness and engine computer with the engine. Even if you don't use it (which you will) then you can sell it for profit.

Nothing inherently wrong with a '98 Camaro LS1 engine, but the engine controller and harness are different from other years. The harness can be used by moving some wires around. The accessory drive (brackets, bolts, & accessories) are VERY desirable from a fitment standpoint into most old cars. The F-body brackets have been out of production for many years causing the junkyard prices to skyrocket. Take home those accessories for sure if you can get a good deal on it. Even if you don't use it (which you will), then you can sell it for profit. Heck, I might buy the brackets from you if you have all the bolts and everything.

I don't know what LS6 intakes sell for these days. The LS6 intake is the best factory intake for a LS1 type engine and there weren't many made, so the rarity of it has driven up prices to ridiculous levels. They were commonly at $350 not too long ago, but that might have changed with Dorman making LS2 style intakes now.

LQ9 is the most desirable 6.0L truck engine. $350 is a great deal if the engine is worthy. It's already at 10:1 compression with the 317 heads at 72 cc chamber volume. Be careful swapping to 243 heads because compression ratio might go way high out of control. Depends on the cam and fuel, I guess.

 

By my calcs the compression will bump up to 11.0. That even gives you a little extra room for a thinner head gasket to tighten up quench, assuming you're using the right cam.

 

Sure would be nice if you could get the f body accessories and intake. Everything you need to know is out there though. Google and YouTube can answer an questions.

For wiring, it depends on if you’re comfortable modifying a factory harness or if you’re just gonna buy an aftermarket harness for swap. If you’re going to use a factory harness look on YouTube. I know when I started to contemplate the ls swap I watched vids from:

Agearhead4life

and

ucandoit2


also lt1swap.com has all the schematics for ls wiring

 

I’d skip the intake from the LS1, assuming it’s original, it won’t be an ls6 intake as that didn’t come out at all until 2001.