Brismo7

iTrader: (3)

sorry for the newbie question. I should know this by now.

But i was wondering if I could tell the year of an engine via any of the castings on the block.

Im picking up a used shortblock and was wondering about the year.

Thanks!!


If there is a link, please direct me.

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

Don't know about the numbers, but you can look at the oil gallies at the front of the block. The early blocks will have two holes down the block while the later year blocks (I believe '00-'04) had a window opened up between them.

Just the holes:
http://image.gmhightechperformance.c..._ls1_block.jpg

Window:
http://www.tpis.com/catalogimages/Short_Block.jpg

Also the LS6 block will have an extra main window for better oil windage.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...y-to-bay-1.jpg

Brismo7

iTrader: (3)

Thank you for the informative answers. Im actually checking out an LQ4. Do you know if the above applies to the iron 6.0's?

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

AFAIK, all LQ4/9 blocks are identical.

180ls1

iTrader: (4)

some of the years will have different pistons for the 6.0's also some of the earlier ones dont mate up to the t56 without some conversion thing i believe. I am too lazy to look it up but try a search.

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

LQ4's have dished pistons (~9.4:1 CR) and LQ9's have flat top pistons (~10:1 CR). I believe the something like the '01 or '02 and later LQx blocks is when a single crank was cast and a spacer was used for an auto trans and no spacer for a T56. Allowing the T56 to bolt right up.

180ls1

iTrader: (4)

^ ya that is right, i know he was looking for info on the block but if he is buying the whole shortblock i figured that would help him.

djsanchez2

iTrader: (14)

There is a serial number on the block itself. The last 2 digits denote the year. Mine says xxx03 Thus it is a 2003

Brismo7

iTrader: (3)

Sanchez, awesome blossom! Thanks for the great info.

Also, yes i just found out that the 99-00 LQ4 Cranks wont adapt to the T56 (they are too thick) I called the guy and he assured me That the LQ4 im buying has the smaller Crank. yay.

One lassssssst question. Im going to be using my 853 heads(non LS6, camero style). Will i need to mill the heads down? or will this depend upon my head gasket thickness? What Compression ratio should I be shooting for? Im doing just a NA shortblock swap for now. No FI is planned for the future.

Im off to search the Ls1tech archives now...

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

No you don't need to mill the heads. The LQ4 has the lower compression dished pistons but have 72cc heads. Just bolting on a pair of stock chambered LS1 heads will raise the compression ratio back up to ~10:1 which will be close to stock LS1 compression. If you are using a LQ9 block with flat top pistons, the compression ratio will be ~11:1. Which is better for a NA build. (Approximately 1 point in CR increase = 3% overall power gain) Either way it will be fine for a NA build. You can choose your head gasket thickness to squeeze more compression out of it.

Brismo7

iTrader: (3)

lmao. Sorry. When ever i read CamAro, all i see is Mullet Mullet Mullet. LMAO. Totally Joking!!

Thank you for the straight up answers!!! I really appreciate all the help guys. West section FTW!

Brismo7

iTrader: (3)

A cool website with a compression Calculator:
http://www.dmperf.com/compression.htm

Lots of stock Specs!
http://www.smokemup.com/tech/ls1.php

180ls1

iTrader: (4)

you know you can find stock #317 6.0l heads for cheap and they flow the same as 243 ls6 heads except they have more cc's so you would want to mill them unless you are going to run a boosted setup.

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

You have to mill them A LOT to bring up your CR from what it would be with 72cc combustion chambers.

djsanchez2

iTrader: (14)

I'm using 5.3 heads (cut for the larger LS1 intake valves/midly ported & shaved to 59cc) to bring my compression ratio up to 10.9:1 with the stock MLS gaskets. They compress to .051 fyi, if you wanna run it through a calculator in the future.
Oh and the deck clearance is -.008 and the dish in the LQ4 pistons is -4cc

I use this calculator it takes a couple more variables into account.

http://www.csgnetwork.com/compcalc.html

Brismo7

iTrader: (3)

This is great info fellas.

Im really excited to have 6 liters and a 4inch bore at my disposale. The future looks bright

So I shouldnt really see a difference in power with my new CR to be at Roughly 9.93 vs the stock 10.1 (http://www.smokemup.com/tech/ls1.php)

Does anyone have any advice with the upgrade? Is there any thing that is super hot right now. I remember back a few months ago the thing was L76/L92.

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

That hasn't gone away. If you can get a hold of a L76/L92 combo I wouldn't hesitate to install them. You just have to know what cam will work well with L92 heads, because they are picky with what works and what doesn't.

180ls1

iTrader: (4)

check out this l92 combo that makes great power with a smallish cam.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...p-446rwtq.html

I say go for it you know you are going to wish you had more power after a few months.

ss.slp.ls1

iTrader: (36)

^^^Exactly...very impressive. That's basically going to be my car one day, but with an iron block. I don't think the extra 100 lbs up front will phase me one bit. 460rwhp!!! Not to shabby...

djsanchez2

iTrader: (14)

Yeah the L92 heads are what i have planned for a future upgrade when i haver the $$ for a forged bottom end.

L92 heads, Vic Jr. intake, 850 Holley, and a HEALTHY cam set-up for a good 200hp shot.