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I'm interested in a 2002 Escalade engine local to me. I've read that the lm7s had the gen 4 beffier rods in the 05+ engines. Is this the same case for the LQ9s? I've read posts saying all LQ9s had the gen 4 rods and then I've seen posts saying they upgraded in 04/05. Searching part numbers for the 2002 LQ9 Escalade rods, it brings up the part number for the gen 4 rods. Not sure if it's a mistake. Can anyone confirm or deny? Thanks.
2002 will be an LQ4, and will have gen3 Rods. I have one apart right now.
you got it out an escalade? I can go on auto trader right now and find 2002 escalades and look at their vin number. And the 8th digit is an N identifying it as an LQ9 from what I read on this site.
you got it out an escalade? I can go on auto trader right now and find 2002 escalades and look at their vin number. And the 8th digit is an N identifying it as an LQ9 from what I read on this site.
Denali...same lQ9 engine and vin decoding. The 02’ won’t have the beefier Rods. That started in 04’ lQ9’s.
Youre technically right, it is an lQ9, but has gen3 Rods. Only difference will be the flattop pistons, which you’ll likely change out anyway. Sorry about the confusion. I’m putting h-beam rods in this one.
I have seen the beefier "gen 4" rods in trucks and suburbans from the janesville plant as early as model year 2003. and found the "gen 3" rods in trucks from the silao plant as late as 2005. They likely just used what inventory they had available. the only 100% reliable way to know is to pull the pan and actually look at the big end of the rod.
keen eyes will spot 13mm valley bolts and 13mm exhaust mani bolts, but that is not 100% and I have spent several hours pulling a motor with all the right signs from head-on collision truck only to find "gen 3" rods.
I've also paid $50 for a sludge pig core and found the beefy rods
Denali...same lQ9 engine and vin decoding. The 02’ won’t have the beefier Rods. That started in 04’ lQ9’s.
Youre technically right, it is an lQ9, but has gen3 Rods. Only difference will be the flattop pistons, which you’ll likely change out anyway. Sorry about the confusion. I’m putting h-beam rods in this one.
The 2002 LQ9 had floating pin rod and was stronger than LQ4 press pin rod. LQ9 had floating pin a good 2 1/2 years before anything else in LS series . Late 2004 all LS were introduced to the floating pin rods across the board, that most call Gen IV rod . iirc the 2005 LQ4 rod and the LQ9 were not the same.
Seems like this thread has countering opinions lol. But thanks for the responses everyone. I should be getting a deposit down for the engine and picking it up when it's pulled.
The 2002 LQ9 had floating pin rod and was stronger than LQ4 press pin rod. LQ9 had floating pin a good 2 1/2 years before anything else in LS series . Late 2004 all LS were introduced to the floating pin rods across the board, that most call Gen IV rod . iirc the 2005 LQ4 rod and the LQ9 were not the same.
Seems like this thread has countering opinions lol. But thanks for the responses everyone. I should be getting a deposit down for the engine and picking it up when it's pulled.
Bumping my old thread. Finally starting on my project and pulled the oil pan off the engine I bought. Guy was parting out a 2002 Escalade he bought at an auction. 200k on the motor. Rods look like gen4.
Denali...same lQ9 engine and vin decoding. The 02’ won’t have the beefier Rods. That started in 04’ lQ9’s.
Youre technically right, it is an lQ9, but has gen3 Rods. Only difference will be the flattop pistons, which you’ll likely change out anyway. Sorry about the confusion. I’m putting h-beam rods in this one.
The Denali got the 325hp LQ4, not the LQ9. Only the Escalade and SS got the LQ9. That's why you didn't have gen4 rods.
LQ9 was never available on 2002-2006 Denali from factory. Only LQ4, no other options were available.
To double check your particular 6.0, were the pistons on this motor dished or flat tops?
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LQ9 Rods 
