Im kind of new to the LS engines but i've been researching and looking around and i have a couple of questions. First of all i can now get a excellent deal on a 2000 engine 6.0 lq4 with iron heads and block (longblock for 500). i would like to rebuild it but i am wondering if it will have the famous piston slap issues, or if there is anything that can be done during the rebuild to prevent this (aftermarket pistons?) i dont want to spend a fortune doin the swap and then have the motor start knocking after 15k. i'll most likely bore the engine .030 to freshen up the block so i'll be replacing rods/ pistons anyway, will this take care of the issue?

Second, my friend just upgraded his LS1 to Ls6 top end, and i can get the LS1 intake and heads and cam for dirt cheap and i know they are good. I want to know if these heads are better then the truck heads and if they are worth rebuilding/ swapping or should i look for ls6's? i assume they'd give me a little more compression? how about the ls1 intake? i would go with a new aftermarket cam.

thanks a lot!!

 

those iron headed 6.0's also had the long crankshaft output journal, and won't work with a 6spd. so you're basically buying a $500 engine block, and you might be able to reuse the connecting rods, and that's it...seems like not such a good deal. i'd keep looking.

 

Ditto to the above. Look for a 2001 and newer aluminum headed motor.

 

thanks for the heads up guys, really appriciate it! i'll keep looking, so when was the piston slap issue fixed?

 

01/02?

 

It will work with a 6 speed (LT1 years) or any older trans without the need for a spacer

You do not need to replace the crank or the rods (forged from factory) just the rod bolts new pistons definatly you can get a set of 317 heads cheap or get a set of l92 heads with a showroom stock cam

http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...arts_list.html

it has a parts list prices and 475 hp

ditch the iron heads they arent worth a penny but scrap

 

alright, another engine has popped up for sale. its from a 03, its a 6.0 from a 2500 HD pickup. I will try calling again shortly, but i believe its everything complete and running for $700. wonder if it has aluminum heads? also concerned about the piston slap issue so will a bore and new pistons permanently fix it?
the reason im so worried about piston slap is because i currently have an 03 5.3L in my envoy with this issue and it sucks, feels like a time bomb.

input greatly appriciated guys, thanks!

 

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Book-H...V-8s,5954.html

Pick up this book. It tells you everything about ls engines. Very useful material in there

 

will do sir! *update i was just talkin to the guy who owns it and i believe it does have the slap issue. he said theres a slight ticking on startup only. but its complete running engine with harness and computer for 700 delivered to me. it has aluminum heads.

so will bore/ new pistons solve the piston slap?

 

You shouldnt be having piston slap issues on an 03 engine. My 5.3 swap was an 03, and my tow rig is an 04. None had issues from slap

 

If you bore it and have the right piston to cylinder wall clearances, it should fix all slap issues. A good machine shop that can make round holes helps alot to keep clearances tight

 

Useful book for sure, but most of the information is old (but then again, it's not like LQ4s/LQ9s changed since the book came out ) and already in every sticky on here and on 'tech.

One book that I can't possibly recommend enough though, is this one:

I'm following it step by step for my build (and y'all just thought I was smart!) and it's absolutely incredible.

 

Both my '00 and '01 LS1's slap pretty good. Even when warm. I beat on them at the track mercilessly, it hasn't changed from the day I first got them running.

The piston slap thing is over-rated. Don't fret over it.

 

Yep i have that one too and I agree, its a great book

 

A 6.0L could be an LQ4 or an LQ9. The LQ4 has lower compression ratio with larger dishes in the piston. They have good heads. The LQ4 and LQ9 come with ~72cc combustion chamber and otherwise the heads are same as LS6 heads.

LQ9 is a little more desirable because you can just have the heads ported and slap them back on and fly with a big cam. LQ9 also has the right pistons to work well with L92/LS3 heads which put you in rectangle port heads. The LQ4 compression ratio is lower then you really want so what people tend to do is sell the heads to the turbocharging guys and buy a set of LS6 heads (243 castings) with ~64cc combustion chambers to bring compression ratio up. After that it will fly like the LQ9. I guess my point is, if you can find an LQ9 it will save you a little effort but both engines are easy path to a fast car.

A stock 6.0L, good heads, and a decent cam can put a car in the high 10's if set up right. My 2000 Camaro has a stock LQ4 block, Patriot heads (243 casting), MS3 cam, and an intake. It trips 11 seconds on every day street tires.

 

i agree 110%. my truck (2000 silverado) has the same noise, especially when it's cold outside. i've put over 30k on it in the last 22 months and probably 40% of that is towing my camaro. i've never once had an issue.

 

 

Dont worry about the piston slap. It sounds like **** for a minute then it goes away. My 2002 GMC 2500HD has the LQ4 with 102,000 miles. Runs and sound like new and the oil pressure is the same since new. Does not loose or burn any oil either. Althugh I have always changed my oil @ 2500 mile intervals. I have used 10w30 since new even though it calls for 5w30

 

okay so i bought the 2003 LQ4 c/w harness and computer. so i guess now i need ls1 intake, basepan, and accessories? would i be better off buying the 92 or 96mm typoon intake on ebay? i can get an ls1 intake locally for cheap so not sure what to do?


are the stock internals strong? i think i'd still like to freshen up the block with a .030 bore an new pistons but wondering if its worth it to buy new connecting rods?

 

Any particular reason you want to punch it out directly to .030? If the cyl walls look fine, then give it a fresh hone and run it

 

I agree. I wouldnt touch the block. Theres people into the 10's and 9's on the stock rotating assembly. Why would you want new connecting rods?

 

Rod bolts, timing chain, and a nice ported oil pump. Otherwise, you're good to go. These aren't the tired old smogger era small blocks we're all used to dealing with.

 

ok guys anyone on here tell me what is the best setup-parts needed to run a carb set up? i have a choice of either 6.0L-5.3L from a 05 up truck aluminum heads, I dont want anything to do with fuel injection, love the look of carb lol. thank guys

 

Hah, I was just the opposite. I couldn't wait to ditch the carb and go fuel injection!!! Check the LS1tech.com carb section for advice.