What's an LS6 worth these days
 

Hey guys,
Just wondering what LS6 motors dressed (all acc. ECU and wiring) are going for nowadays because other than fleabay, I can't find any for sale anywhere.

Looking for either an LS6, or LS2/LQ4/LQ9/LY6 to drop into my 69 GTO. It's going to be a cruiser, so I really don't care about top end HP; I just want a solid motor that'll let a 3400lb convertible take off when I want it to.

I've read up on the LS6 vs. LS2 arguments and agree with most of them. The truck motors are similar arguments but adding 80lbs.
LS2's are still pretty expensive. Truck motors are heavier but a lot cheaper.

At what point does an LS6 become worth it? Assume the only mods I'd be doing to any of these motors is custom headers and a tune, leaving everything else stock.

Basically, I've got a chance to get an LS6 for cheap and am debating whether I think it's worth it; wanted some "expert" opinions.

thanks
Jim

how 'cheap' are we talkin that you can get the ls6 for? cuz it might also be cheaper to find a lq4 short block for sale and bolt on a set of stock l92 heads and a ls3 manifold or a msd carb victor jr set up (no need to buy a harness 4 a fuel injection set up so its easier) if you want to keep it carb. which would make some great power. just food for thought.

I want to keep everything fuel injected. And I know the L92's make crazy power, but they give up low end torque compared to the 317 heads, and I'm trying to keep costs down. If I don't end up getting this motor, I'll most likely get a LY6 (VVT AND L92 heads).
By cheap, we're talking around $3k. At what point does the LS6 make more sense, $2500? That's what I"m trying to figure out.

yeah doing a gen3/4 swap and carbing it is almost pointless...you can get the same power from a gen 1

efi made easy is one of the best reasons

Is there a point where the LS6 makes sense? Can I build a LQ4 (with less than 100k miles.. I'm not planning a complete rebuild) for under, say, $2500 reliably? Like I said, no numbers really in mind... prefer the low end torque, but with the LS6, I won't have to touch the motor except for a tune.

Just looking for some opinions on the true benefits of the gen IV motors vs. the best gen III.

well a local guy around here has a 6.0 truck motor with 241 camaro heads in his foxbody with a carb and an ms3 slid off in it and he only has about 1200 or so tied up in the whole motor

You can get full crate LS6 engines all day for $3000 from SDPC and others but you would have to find your own accessories. I have the LS6 and love it, no real difference than the LS2 if you plan on leaving it stock. For 3400lb you don't need more torque than the LS6 puts out, so since its about $800+ cheaper than an LS2 just go with the LS6. The only difference is .3L displacement, but the cam from the 04+ LS6 is better so power is the same at 400-405. LS6 would be more gas miserly in the lower rpm's in theory.

So if I can get a LS6 with low miles for, say $2700 with all accessories, ECU, and wiring, you'd say it's a good deal, and it would take a good amount of time to find the parts and build up a 6.0 truck motor for comparable money?

I know the LS6 is better on gas. My 05 GTO has an LS2 and it's not anywhere near f-bodies w/ an ls1 ( i know my car is a pig in the weight dept.)

The advantages I see for the LS6 are: low miles, complete, no need to modify (head and cam swap), cable driven TB (I hate DBW) and the big advantage is the accessory drive setup as it's going into a 69 A-body.

Truck motor advantages: dime a dozen, much cheaper up front cost, could eventually go to L92, better low end torque. I can basically put into it what I want.

Looking for any and all opinions

Thanks for the input guys
Jim

Do you have a part number on the crate for 3k? Is that long block - intake and all?

That LS6 setup ready to drop in looks like a killer deal to me... Good luck!

Anyone else have any thoughts about getting an LS6 vs. a newer truck motor or LS2 if I could find it cheap enough.

Figure the goal is $3,000 complete (accessories, ECU and harness) to drop into a 69 GTO convertible, will eventually be mated to a T56. I'd like over 350rwtq from 3k on.

What about just a LS1 for a little cheaper than a LS6 and use the money left over for a set of used 243 (LS6) heads and maybe a 224 cam or LS6 cam?

I can't get an LS1 for what I can get this LS6 for, with that mileage.

My real question is how much better are the Gen IV engines? I know the L92 heads are awesome and the LS3 is ridiculous, but if we're talking very small mods (intake and exhaust, no head or internals work) which engine would be best for my needs? Just looking for a little incite

thats weird because I'm looking at it right now and its about $6K


If you can score the LS6 for $2K+ then get it.