'86 Big Blue and the 6.0 swap

[bigdnew]

Pics of big blue are forthcoming. In Dallas visiting family and picked up my new 25,890 miles LS2 6.0.

[nlped]

Sweet! Nice score.

[bigdnew]

I was able to get the motor, computer, dbw setup, everything i think i need for $1,300.00

[STOCKISH]

Great find. And at a good price to boot. Cant believe the valve covers are leaking at 25K though. Are they sure it's not 125K?

[bigdnew]

I checked my dad's '08 6.0. His truck has 36,000 miles on his and it looks the same.

[Driveway Dreams]

Congrats on the purchase! Seems like a good deal on it too.

[bigdnew]

Still no pics of truck, transmssion still has truck. I am not complaining, they are rebuilding my th350 for $250.00 and are going to beef it up to handle the 6.0.

I'm a little worried about using the trans after seeing some other post about the viability of using it instead of a 4L whatever. Still researching.

Got the harness off the engine and was able to get everything degreased and cleaned. It looks as if someone armoralled the engine and drove 26,000 miles on a dirt road. It was dirty.

Still took the valve cover off for peace of mind, pretty and gold. Awesome.

I saw on one build site that the oil cooler lines were removed and a block plate was installed. Is it ok to not run an oil cooler. More questions to come.

[Driveway Dreams]

Motor looks much better. You gonna paint it or just leave it like it is?

[bigdnew]

I don't know, I was going to paint the block and valve covers like Bob did with "Fred". However after looking at some other builds I may paint the block Chevy blue and use covers top side.

[thump16]

Good deal. I pick my 6.0l with harness and ECU up for $1400 next week.

[79gmc5.3]

Originally Posted by thump16

Good deal. I pick my 6.0l with harness and ECU up for $1400 next week.

Great news!! Don't forget to start a thread with lots of pics!!!!!!!!

[bigdnew]

congrats. what you are you putting it into.

[bigdnew]

I need some advice. What is your opinion with using a non elec trans when doing LS swaps. I was planning on using my th-350 since it has just been rebuilt and beefed up and to save some money.

[Pyrotechnic]

Do you want gas mileage ? These new engines, transmissions, and computers are well matched and tuned systems meant to give lots of power and gas mileage all at once. Most people use the matching electronic transmission because it's a cheap and effective way to get an overdrive transmission at a great price. You basically get the new truck power and driveability in your old truck.

In cases with 4x4 trucks where transfer case drop position, adapters, drive shaft lengths, etc come into play, it's much simpler and cheaper sometimes just to use the existing transmission.

There's nothing wrong with an older transmissions, it just means you lose some of the convenience and efficiency the newer transmission has to offer. If you are just cruising around town or going to the track, you probably aren't concerned about gas mileage or cruising RPM's.

I would ask the junkyard how much they want for the matching transmission. If it's a good deal, it may be worthwhile to go ahead and get it too.

[bigdnew]

I can get the 4l80e that was with this engine. I called him today and he still has it for sale, $600.00. As in my first post it is a 26,000 mile transmission.

Decisions, decisions. Trying to save a little money and the truck is not a daily driver. I just figured I could get more torque to the rear wheels using the th350.

[muthstryker]

LS2 out of what? ..Thats an Iron Block 6.0 none of the LS2s ever said Vortech on them. Nice score none the less. They are great motors looking for one myself. Post up pics and what parts you use.

[bigdnew]

Everything I have read states that the motor is an LS2 6.0 LQ4. I guess a little more research is in order if I am mistaken. Surely someone else on the board can weigh in to what I have.

[thump16]

6.0 is the iron block version of the ls2. I am putting my 6.0 in my 84 scottsdale.

[muthstryker]

Hope you didnt take what I said I knocking it or saying it wasnt, wasnt trying to come across that way. All LSX motors are aluminum blocks. With the iron blocks im pretty sure you can put LSX heads and intakes on them. not sure maybe some one can chime in. Anyways like I said post pics as you go want to check into this myself.

Hope on over to ls1tech.com you can get TONS of info off that site.

[Cherub]

Like they said your motors designation is LQ4 and came in 99-04 silverado, suburban, yukon, and hummer h2. LS2 has a different block, intakes, cam and internals, but they are both 6.0s and parts are interchangeable. they came in 05-07 vette, 05-06 ssr and gto, 06-07 cts-v and 06-09 Trailblazer SS. There was a nice article in DEC 2009 issue of Chevy High performance that broke down all the GEN 3 and 4 chevy engines. Its not that big of a deal here but go and say that on the LS1tech forums and prepare to be flamed. But Good luck with the build and cant wait to see more pics and updates.

[bigdnew]

so this motor came out of an '05 one ton. so it is an ls2 lq4 is that right. or, is it just a
lq4. also, i did not take anything personal we are all on this board to learn. in life if you stop learning, you stop growing.

[Cherub]

Originally Posted by bigdnew

so this motor came out of an '05 one ton. so it is an ls2 lq4 is that right. or, is it just a
lq4. also, i did not take anything personal we are all on this board to learn. in life if you stop learning, you stop growing.

If it didnt come from a 05-07 vette, 05-06 ssr and gto, 06-07 cts-v and 06-09 Trailblazer SS then its just a LQ4

[Jonboy]

Your engine is just an LQ4. That is the RPO designation given to the engine, and it is usually referred to by that. Like LT1, LS6, etc.

If the trans is available for $600, I would go that route. I think it would go together much better with what you have, and you would be happier with it in the long run.

[menace121978]

nice score man! i agree with Jonboy... if you can get the tranny for $600 jump on it! and they are correct on the motor being a lq4. the big giveaways are the intake is from a truck, iron block, and the throttle body on ls2's is a different design.

[79gmc5.3]

I concurr with the above. Sometime the LQ4, LQ9 are refered to as "iron block LS2s" The LQ4, LQ9 is setup for torque and the LS2 is setup for Horse Power. My personal opinion is if you are useing this for a truck and not a drag truck you are better off useing the LQ4, LQ9 for better towing and hauling. Thats just my 2 cents worth.