General LSX Automobile Discussion - LQ9 6.0 build thread: johnzSS

So my previous set up went BOOM! spun a bearing..First build thread click here (http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/general-lsx-automobile-discussion/1210755-my-first-build-thread-enjoy.html)

After having the car in the garage for like 6 months now, collecting parts, and reading up on what I should do next, Ive decided on doing a iron 6.0 build. Such a great motor and not to mention a great price to start off with I couldnt resist! :chug:

To kick things off... heres what I bought, 2006 Escalade LQ9 long block with 45k miles.

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_8948.jpg
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_8955.jpg

Broke everything down to the short block... all the parts except shortblock is for sale BTW.

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9085.jpg

So fresh and clean!
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9113.jpg
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9114.jpg

New Fbody pick up tube, oil pan, windage tray, ls6 oil pump, ls2 chain, powerbond pulley, and some fresh black paint.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9115.jpg
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9126.jpg

and I have to say, this is too easy with the motor on a stand!

What did that motor set u back? Trying to decide where to get one and what it is going to cost me?

Looks good, what are the heads/cam going to be?

TSP 1 7/8 LT came in today..
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9182.jpg

Im running 5.3 heads. MS3 cam.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9161.jpg
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9099.jpg

Here is the only "fitment issue"... i guess a small head bolt will do the job..
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9192.jpg

Are these the two bolts LQ6/LQ9 guys/gals leaving out? I read everyone does it but im just afraid the alternator might slide off the bracket?
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9175.jpg

more pics of the LT... so much better looking than my non coated pacesetters...
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9190.jpg
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9189.jpg
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9187.jpg
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9185.jpg

Ready to drop this thing on the k-member. Still in the air on what i should do with my NGK TR6... what gap for my NA set up??? 35?
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9196.jpg

New BMR k-member
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_8921.jpg

got rid of my speedline C5 Z06s... now im sittin on 28s
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9203.jpg

On the oil dipstick tube, I used one of the locator roll pin things that go in the block to locate the heads as a space...looks good and spaces it out far enough. For the alternator, people use one bolt up front and the one on the side. I had my block drilled and tapped so I could get the bolt on the outside on the front too. I feel better about it, but people say they run without it all the time with no issues.

Nice, can't wait to see it in person

On the oil dipstick tube, I used one of the locator roll pin things that go in the block to locate the heads as a space...looks good and spaces it out far enough. For the alternator, people use one bolt up front and the one on the side. I had my block drilled and tapped so I could get the bolt on the outside on the front too. I feel better about it, but people say they run without it all the time with no issues.

Yeah, i was looking for one of those spacers in the garage but couldnt find one, i end up using a coil spring. As far as the alternator goes, if others got by with two, im up for the risk. But i would love to have the piece of mind but too lazy to go drill and tap.

Yea, I wasn't going to but that guy that was assembling my bottom end offered too so I wasn't going to pass it up. Hope you enjoy it. I've got ~160 miles on my 6.0/rebuilt trans and have loved every minute of it so far. Just waiting for it to be fully broken in lol

good to hear bro! Im looking forward on this new set up, i know it will be bad ass

painted the engine bay. satin black.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9263.jpg

Motor going in tomorrow.
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9272.jpg

a bunch of stock ls1 and lq9 parts for sale thread is here....
parts for sale (http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/parts-classifieds/1336448-bunch-ls1-fbody-parts-lq9.html#post13931802)

B&B billy boat stainless steel exhaust tips for sale... B&B exhaust (http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/parts-classifieds/1336814-b-b-billyboat-exhaust-tips-pics.html#post13936444)

Finally got the motor back in! and new wheels too!

http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9418.jpg

Ass shot
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9407.jpg

Freakin sick! Everything looks so clean.

Looks real good. Why did you go with PRC heads? The L92 heads flow better & are cheaper too.

Freakin sick! Everything looks so clean.
Thanks! That purple degreaser mixed with new parts was the secret.

Looks real good. Why did you go with PRC heads? The L92 heads flow better & are cheaper too.

Because i already had these heads from my old set up. Just got them cleaned up with some new valves. Im sure theres better H/C combos ive could have done but im content with what I got. thanks for the comment!

wow looks really nice :) wish its as easy as it looks. my car hit the 125K last week am drooling for a rebuilt or a new engine. any idea what kinda power your putting?

wow looks really nice :) wish its as easy as it looks. my car hit the 125K last week am drooling for a rebuilt or a new engine. any idea what kinda power your putting?

Thank you! yeah i wish it did too lol. 450-480? I'll know for sure soon!

Great build and awesome pictures. What wheels are those?

Great job! I did my outter tire rod ends the other day and when i was laying under the car i was thinking about this lol. My Z has 177,958 on it and runs like a top with no leaks but i'm drooling over a similar setup as yours!

thanks everyone! I'll post up videos and DYNO numbers next. and maybe some track times if weather permits

The car had some issues starting up, higher C/R maybe. But also notice the ground cable near the alternator side got so hot it fried itself into two pieces. Got some thicker gauge battery cable and it did the trick. I must say, the 6.0 is something else lol. I should have went this routh over my previous set up.. o well

oh yeah, I am on the hunt for a Wolfe 6 point bolt in cage with swing outs. Located in California if anyone knows of someone selling it. New, used, it dont matter as long as its clean.

Selling my track set up to fund for some different parts..Prostars (http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/parts-classifieds/1338342-weld-prostars-mickey-thompson-tires.html#post13952660)

^ Prostars are sold.

Heres a sound clip of what the car sounds like. Taken at the muffler shop to get everything aligned.

HD sound clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0RMwzEcHz4&hd=1)

sounds very nice. Your car is one of the few I like with that stripe package. Good overall taste.

^^ oh man! jealousy is killing me here :lol: please dont post vids like that or something really bad will happen to her :P j\k seriously awesome am loving this build in every way:) enjoy it and what tires are those? and what exhaust is on it sounds insanely loud

sounds very nice. Your car is one of the few I like with that stripe package. Good overall taste.

haha cool! Glad to be one of the few!

^^ oh man! jealousy is killing me here :lol: please dont post vids like that or something really bad will happen to her :P j\k seriously awesome am loving this build in every way:) enjoy it and what tires are those? and what exhaust is on it sounds insanely loud

MH racemasters, 28" tall. The cut out was open thats why its so loud. Im getting the B&B put back on Friday if the shops not swamped.

Any plans for boost or nitrous? Or are you staying N/A

nope. keeping the car N/A. Im content with the power it has now. Just a few other things I want to get for the car. Maybe a cage, a new hood, dynamat. Its a lot more torquey than my old ls1 H/C set up so I am VERY pleased!

Here is the only "fitment issue"... i guess a small head bolt will do the job..
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9192.jpg

Are these the two bolts LQ6/LQ9 guys/gals leaving out? I read everyone does it but im just afraid the alternator might slide off the bracket?
http://i832.photobucket.com/albums/zz249/johnzss/IMG_9175.jpg

No. You drill and tap the block for the upper bolt. The one under the idler is left out.

g

Forgot to update this thread but the car end up making 461/418. Heres the video. enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EydHbGmGTPc

Excellent build! Thinking of the same sort of build for my V6 Camaro, just need to sell off a lung and kidney:D

Nice numbers!

Congrats everythings looks very clean!!

thanks for the comments!

Very nice car. Congrats!

I am doing almost the same thing. Except my car was a V6. Can you give me a few pointers? Where are all of the vacuum lines supposed to go. I do not have HVAC so I believe that eliminates one of them. I know that my LQ9 has a hole on the drivers side valve cover where the brake booster vacuum usually goes on the trucks. What valve covers did you use. Any help would be appreciated!!!

I am doing almost the same thing. Except my car was a V6. Can you give me a few pointers? Where are all of the vacuum lines supposed to go. I do not have HVAC so I believe that eliminates one of them. I know that my LQ9 has a hole on the drivers side valve cover where the brake booster vacuum usually goes on the trucks. What valve covers did you use. Any help would be appreciated!!!

There are a ton of other builds that have LOTS of info about this swap, search or just look around the conversion/hybrid section or the internal sections. Good pics to look at as well for help IMO. I would use stock fbody valve covers as you wont see them anyways if using stock coil packs in stock location and they should be cheap to find. Good luck!:chug:

^ agree. Tons of info on tech. Without tech I will be broke paying for labor lol. GL

I have looked and looked for this info. Couldn't find anything. Trust me. I look first, then ask.

Nice, how are those tsp 1 7/8 working out? Coating holding up up?

thanks! The LT are holding up real nice. still nice and shinny!