Wasn’t sure where to post this so I am posting it here. I am more than interested in doing my first LS swap. I know none of them are “easy” but I was going for a good project to dive into. My initial plan is to rebuild a 6.0 (LQ4 or LQ9) and drop it in a regular cab 1500 truck such as a 2005 or 2006. I am assuming finding a V8 truck would be easier to swap than a V6 truck but I am open to all advice on which direction would make the most sense as far as time, cost, weight versus horsepower, etc. My end goal is to learn a lot in the process as well as end up with a peppy truck to drive when it is nice outside (~400whp)

 

Post 2000 era swaps became much more complex

The nuts and bolts of dropping a LS in is still just as simple as a 70's classic, but electronics are substantially more involved. It's not as easy as unplugging V6 and plugging in V8

If you want a relatively simple swap to cut your teeth on, try an 88-95 OBS truck/SUV. Common truck LS engines drop in complete, no mix/matching. Simple fuel system. Simple chassis electronics. Analog gauges, etc. 96-98 OBS electronics became slightly more complex but nothing crazy

 

I appreciate your input! Were all Silverados/Sierras trucks OBS's from 88-95?

 

You find a V8 mid 2000's truck that 6.0l LQ4/9 is a direct install, nothing complex about it. Engine in and done so yea that post above is bullshit.

Anything pre-1999 will be more complicated because that will take some wiring changes. You need to upgrade the Fuel System as well as use specific Sensors for it to work right.

Done a few..dozen..

 

Thank you for the reply. I’m not sure if they made them, but if I can find say a 2000-2006 short bed regular cab 2WD 1500 with auto trans say with a 4.8L/5.3L, I can directly swap the 4.8L/5.3L out and in with the 6.0L? Would that be the ideal route to take?

 

TONS of those made. Yes, that's the ideal route. It will all plug in if the 6.0 is Gen III

 

Great thank you! Seems pretty difficult for me to find one for some reason, especially a short bed and or 2WD! But I will keep looking! and yes GEN III 6.0, hopefully I can locate a LQ9

 

Yup, Gen III 6.0l is a direct install and they are out there. Guy I know had one with a 4.8l, we put a T56 in it and a blower on it. That got fun.
Pull out the 4.8l or 5.3l, drop in the 6.0l as a Long Block, everything else bolts back up. You end up with a LQ4 or the LQ9 slap some 243 Heads on it with a decent Cam, Convertor in it and it'll get fun. Look into an Eaton TruTrac Posi instead the stock GovLoc one.

 

I like the sounds of all of that. Time to start hunting for a truck and a LQ9

 

The LQ9 mostly came in Caddy Escalades to help narrow your search.

 

When looking for core LS engines I use car-part.com. You search locally or nation wide. It's also a gauge of what the 6.0's going for price wise.

 

To help further. look for these trucks-
02-06 All Caddy Escalades
03-07 Chevy Silverado SS & HO Edition
03-07 GMC Sierra HO Edition
06-07 Chevy Silverado/ GMC Sierra 1500 Vortec MAX.
The LQ9 came ONLY in the above vehicles
Don't be dead set on just LQ9s. The LQ4 can also be made to run quite well with very few mods.
All 99-07 gas 3/4 and 1-ton trucks and some 1/2 tons had those.

 

3/4 Ton Vans had a 6.0l LQ4 in them too.

 

Thank you all! My plan is to find a 5.3 truck and already have a 6.0 built and ready to swap into it. I plan on building a Gen III 6.0 LQ4/LQ9. Hoping to aim for 400 whp. I know I will have a decent amount of money wrapped up in the 6.0 LQ4/LQ9. Bang for the buck, is this the optimal route that most would take?

 

The setup I built for my MCSS is a 2006 6.0l LQ4, 243 Heads from a 2006 GTO, LS6 Intake, Thunder Racing 230/236 Cam. Under Drive Pulley, 1 7/8" Long Tube Headers, 3" Dual Exhaust.

Car is 3500lbs full tank of gas without me in it. T56 6spd Manual car, 1/8 mile 7.9x, 87mph, 1.93 60ft on street tires. Never put it on a Dyno but it makes power.

 

I’m running an iron block 6.0 from a 99 2500. It has seen 9 lbs of boost for the last 4 years and it’s still running strong. It was a high unknown km (low 400 000 I think). I paid $600 Canadian dollars for it. You don’t need to spend a lot to have a lot of fun!

 

wow that thing sounds like too much fun. If you don’t mind educating me, what does MCSS stand for? Also, what is the benefit of an under drive pulley?

 

very true! Have any threads on your setup, etc?

 

The Under Drive Pulley spins the Belt slower so less power loss on the front of the Engine.

MCSS = Monte Carlo SS. One of these..

 

The look of your MCSS never gets old. It is, to me, a classic look!