L33 to LQ9 swap
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 51
Likes: 10
L33 to LQ9 swap Hello, I am new to forums and am hoping I posted this in the right thread. If not I apologize in advance. But I have a 2005 Silverado 1500 Z71 with the L33 from the factory. I managed to pick up a LQ9 with 110,000 miles for a really good price so I am going to swap it out. I heard it was mostly plug and play except for a flexplate and maybe oil sending unit, is there anything else that I would need to do? And I can’t seem to find the right flexplate, do any of you guys know of a specific one that would work? Thankyou very much, I appreciate the help
TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,190
Likes: 977
If the LQ9 is from around the same age as your truck, it's COMPLETELY plug & play. Flex plate and OPSU included AFAIK.
Z71 is irrelevant to the engine. It's only skid plates and shocks in your year. That's it; I don't even think they were changing springs or sway bars. Oh and of course GINORMOUS STICKERZZZZZZZ!!!!! Same as my 04 Av.
You'll need a tune.
Z71 is irrelevant to the engine. It's only skid plates and shocks in your year. That's it; I don't even think they were changing springs or sway bars. Oh and of course GINORMOUS STICKERZZZZZZZ!!!!! Same as my 04 Av.
You'll need a tune.
TECH Resident
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 860
Likes: 404
From: Texas
And to the original poster, you don't NEED a tune, but you won't be getting the most out of the engine without one.
Also, why don't you take the 799 heads off of your L33 and put them on the LQ9?
The ports and valves are the same, but the 799s have a smaller chamber, giving you a boost in compression; that's what I'd do.
(If you do that, DEFINITELY GET A TUNE. It will be a significant jump in compression, and you don't want to blow it up.)
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 51
Likes: 10
L33 was only offered in Z71 Silverados, so yes, it is relevant to the engine.
And to the original poster, you don't NEED a tune, but you won't be getting the most out of the engine without one.
Also, why don't you take the 799 heads off of your L33 and put them on the LQ9?
The ports and valves are the same, but the 799s have a smaller chamber, giving you a boost in compression; that's what I'd do.
(If you do that, DEFINITELY GET A TUNE. It will be a significant jump in compression, and you don't want to blow it up.)
And to the original poster, you don't NEED a tune, but you won't be getting the most out of the engine without one.
Also, why don't you take the 799 heads off of your L33 and put them on the LQ9?
The ports and valves are the same, but the 799s have a smaller chamber, giving you a boost in compression; that's what I'd do.
(If you do that, DEFINITELY GET A TUNE. It will be a significant jump in compression, and you don't want to blow it up.)
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 51
Likes: 10
If the LQ9 is from around the same age as your truck, it's COMPLETELY plug & play. Flex plate and OPSU included AFAIK.
Z71 is irrelevant to the engine. It's only skid plates and shocks in your year. That's it; I don't even think they were changing springs or sway bars. Oh and of course GINORMOUS STICKERZZZZZZZ!!!!! Same as my 04 Av.
You'll need a tune.
Z71 is irrelevant to the engine. It's only skid plates and shocks in your year. That's it; I don't even think they were changing springs or sway bars. Oh and of course GINORMOUS STICKERZZZZZZZ!!!!! Same as my 04 Av.
You'll need a tune.
TECH Addict
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,190
Likes: 977
Some 6.0 motors - not sure about the LQ9 specifically - were different in the earlier years. LQ4s definitely. Before 02 or some such, not sure the exact year, there was a different length crank, which of course affected the flex plate or flywheel. Later however they abolished that.
Looking for good ways to get rid of my Gov-Bomb... someday...
Looking for good ways to get rid of my Gov-Bomb... someday...
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 51
Likes: 10
Some 6.0 motors - not sure about the LQ9 specifically - were different in the earlier years. LQ4s definitely. Before 02 or some such, not sure the exact year, there was a different length crank, which of course affected the flex plate or flywheel. Later however they abolished that.
Looking for good ways to get rid of my Gov-Bomb... someday...
Looking for good ways to get rid of my Gov-Bomb... someday...
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
TECH Resident
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 937
Likes: 472
Ah I see, the LQ9 is out of a 2005 Escalade which is the same year as mine so sounds like this is about as simple as it gets for an engine swap. I’m excited to see where this goes, might end up throwing my 799 heads on it and a nice truck cam. Not sure if 11:1 will work well on pump gas as this is my daily and I believe that’s roughly the compression it’ll put out with that, be one hell of a DD
While you're adding heads and a tune, might as well upgrade with a baby cam. Something with an intake duration/lift of 204-206/.550-.560 and intake centerline of 110-112 would really compliment the extra head flow and compression.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 51
Likes: 10
It'd be fine, but you'd have to run it strictly on premium. Even the stock LQ9 recommended premium, but would run on 87 (with reduced performance and fuel economy). On the plus side, the extra compression should increase the efficiency to make up for the added cost of fuel so the $/mile would be a wash (just don't look at the bill). And you'd have even better performance.
While you're adding heads and a tune, might as well upgrade with a baby cam. Something with an intake duration/lift of 204-206/.550-.560 and intake centerline of 110-112 would really compliment the extra head flow and compression.
While you're adding heads and a tune, might as well upgrade with a baby cam. Something with an intake duration/lift of 204-206/.550-.560 and intake centerline of 110-112 would really compliment the extra head flow and compression.
I was looking into some stage 1 206 cams, would probably swap that in there before I put the motor in. God knows I’ll regret not putting a cam in it down the line after I have it all tucked away in the engine bay. I have heard several people say you can’t run 11:1 reliably on 93 but I don’t see why not, nothing a nice dyno tune can’t fix. My stock 4l60e will be begging me to stop everytime I get on it.