I'm a subscriber to the mag, so when I saw yet another LSx article in the April & May issues, I just groaned, rolled my eyes, & moved to something else. Later though, I was bored (or maybe on the throne ), & took a look through them. I'm really beginning to think that all of the time I've taken to carefully match up parts for my "*****-out 383" may have gone out the window...

First off, here's the link to the 1st article. In the 2nd article (May), they threw a Comp XR281HR cam & a set of GM L92 heads on it, & (according to the article) made 550 horsepower. Further, they claim to have done it for just under 5k. Does this seem realistic to you guys?

If that's the case, then I'll be selling the AFR 195s that I bought in December (that took me 3 yrs to save for), as well as my HSR - neither of which have even been installed yet... A bit later this year, I should have a few K that I can put towards my GTA, & I'm giving this some real serious thought. If I can perform a basic swap for around $10k US, this is going to be REALLY tough to resist...

FWIW, I'm planning on needing headers, a K-frame, some kind of engine control module... What else? Will the TPI fuel pump/lines be sufficient? I'm planning on retaining the stock EFI setup, as I don't think that there's much to improve on there...

Thanks guys.

EDIT: Just saw this thread, seems to answer several of the questions I've had. Sorry if this has been covered a million times already, just wanted to see if the magazine articles were at all plausible...

 

I believe it!! This is the same swap I am doing except I will use a LS6 intake, MS4 cam and I am still trying to decide which heads. Hopefully I will be around the same power or more.

 

Urslo,
I see you're in Texas, how are you going to pass emissions if you put an LS1 engine in? I am coming home to Texas in a few years and from everything I have read I have to stay emission legal at least visually?

 

Most states tend to more-or-less follow Kalifornia's lead, meaning that "same year or newer" swaps within the same engine family are OK, as long as all emissions equipment (for the later-year engine) is retained. While I lived in TX for a year, I never registered my car down there, so I don't know specifics/can't say for sure.

(It'd be nice though, if this thread didn't devolve into an emissions-related discussion...)

 

Trick is scoring an inexpensive low mileage LSx to start with. They're kind of expensiveish to rebuild.

 

To pass inspection in Texas, all you need to do is know of a "friendly inspector"

 

Red92RS is 100% correct. It really is not hard at all to pass inspection.

ACCLR8N is correct also. You can find those engines dirt cheap. The smart thing to do, now since I had to learn the hard way is to go buy a block for about 400-600 and start from there and buy the components you want. Because you can use the accessories or intake so why pay all that extra money. Wish I had thought of that earlier, but engine my engine is coming along now good. Hopefully I can do the mock up for it next week and then have it painted. So the plan is to up and running by the middle of next month.

Yes rebuilding can be pricey. The engine I had bought had to be rebuilt and I had to pay an unexpected bill for that.

 

Hmmm. I was quoted $3000 for a complete 6.0L truck engine (LQ4), complete with harness & computer. You're saying that it'd be better to just get a block & add all the stuff (pistons/rods/cam/heads/etc.) to that??

I could see all of that coming to well over $3000...

 

I just scored a nice fresh built 346(5.7) motor for $1200. Has a nice set of CNC ported heads, notched pistons and a stout "little" 597/605 camshaft installed with new springs and retainers. The deals are out there if you have the patience to look. Oh, and this motor made 418rwhp and 381tq with a little smaller camshaft and EFI with a little tune. I'm going carbed and it should pick up a little with a performer RPM and a 750 mighty demon. The LS will school the LT1 and it just plain looks cool!! Good luck on the swap.

 

I was saying that it would be just best to just get the block with the 317 heads and rotating assembly (sorry), because you can't use the intake, oil pan and accessories. You can use the harness but I just ended up buying a stand alone because it would look better. 3k is kinda expensive. You should be able to find one cheaper than that. You can buy a LS1 (5.7) for less than that. Just keep searching around.

 

Dude, my local LKQ quoted me $1,400 for a complete tested and warrantied LQ4. $3K you're getting ripped big! If it were an LQ9 that came with a tranny then MAYBE if it has super low miles.

Personally, I was going to go 6.0L LQ4/LQ9 iron block with L92/LS3 heads and an L76/LS3 intake. Now because I want VVT to stay ahead of the game, I'm going to grab a 6.2L L92/LS3 block and piece almost everything together from scratch and still run the L92/LS3 heads and an L76/LS3 intake. I may end up buying an LS3 crate and adding the needed VVT parts from an L92 but I doubt it, there's no way I'm going to tear apart a new crate motor and I need to be able to piece it together anyway since I'm horrible at saying money Buying parts every paycheck is the only way it's gonna happen for me, lol. Plus I can run a 4" stroke and gain some ci's I otherwise wouldn't get with the crate motor.

 

Interesting - it was LKQ (via their toll-free number) that quoted the $3,000 price - and it wasn't quoted to me, it was quoted to a bud of mine that has a shop... I'm still going to call them as a private party to see if there's any price difference.

I'm thinking that maybe I'll look around locally, I guess...

EDIT: I called LKQ today (as a private party), & they quoted me $2800 for an '02 6.0L with 75,--- miles on it - no mention of ECM or harness...

 

Check these links out. The deals are out there. You just have to check the engine out to make sure everything is good.

http://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=706194

http://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=705329

 

this is true...i know at least 5 guys that will slap on a sticker without ever looking at my car

 

I passed in Austin no problem, didn't even need a friendly inspector. They put in my VIN, stuck the sniffer in the tailpipe, blew the numbers (which were WAAAAAAY lower than needed) and I got my sticker. No AIR, no SMOG, only Long tubes, single hiflow cat, and muffler.

 

i've never had the sniffer.

 

Ok, color me stupid, what is the L92? I'm not up to date on the LSX motors. Sorry for hijacking the thread.

 

You're not hijacking the thread, you're just pulling it back a little bit from the guys who want to make this an emissions discussion...

Anyway, the L92 is essentially the same thing as the LS1/LS2, except that it's an iron block with a 4.000" bore (which means that it's a 360 cid engine, rather than the 346 cid of the LS1) that is original equipment for GM trucks.

Does that help?

 

Wrong, sorry. What you mentioned is the LQ4/LQ9.

The L92 is the aluminum 6.2L cousin to the LS3. Only difference is the intake, VVT & DoD, along with different valves and a few other tiny details. The L92 and the LS3 use the same block, rotating assembly, and heads. Buy an L92 crate motor, swap on an L76/LS3 intake and upgrade the valves and you have, IMO, a better version of the LS3 because you gain VVT and DoD if you go for that option since DoD is only available on some L92's if optioned that way.