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Good morning Guys
im kicking around the idea of building either a LQ9 or 5.3 for either my 96 Z or 95 Sierra single cab (just had it painted too)
My goals are to build a strong fun weekend Cali smog legal toy. I’d also like to use as many GM factory parts are possible for the build.
Any good combos that you guys have used?
budget I’d like to be would be 3-5k
If you can find a decent LQ9, it would be a good engine for you. It is a higher compression 6.0 with a little better cam than 5.3. Use the dual converters used in whatever truck the engine came out of into a decent dual exhaust. That and a decent air intake will move that truck smartly.
Agreed, the 6.0L only place to start. For your application I'd be looking for the most complete " running when pulled" pull out I could find with a 2wd transmission attached to it. The only difference between the LQ4 and the LQ9 is the dish vs flat pistons worth only 1/2 point of compression so if you find a good deal on either one gets it and share with us what you find. The idea here is get the swap in the vehicle and All the wiring and all the annoying stuff out of the way first with as complete of a swap as possible to start with, get rid of all the squeaks and rattles first before you are talked into modify anything. However, since you like the idea of using OEM parts, I can relieve your peace of mind by telling you that the only aftermarket part that I'm aware of in all of my years of racing and beating on these things that you actually need to replace with a beefier component to possibly prevent a running failure are the hardened pushrods and that's only really if you plan on reving it to the moon and by moon I mean 6k plus with a raised rev limiter on a regular basis because you paid money to be there and your hot lapping it, otherwise the stock ones are just fine All the engines, even the performance ones come with the same pushrods from the factory. The LS6 valve springs are perfectly capable of handling All the aftermarket Camshaft you'll ever need in your clean California truck
I recently helped my brother swap a LQ4 into his 90 C1500 RCSB. I freshed up a 4L80e for core cost and rebuild kit. He was closer to the $5k mark doing all the work himself. Then his engine was bad, so he had to pay another $2500 to rebuild that. It's a pretty involved job actually. He hasn't done any AC work yet, so add some additional more money to your budget.
So for your lower end on your budget (at the bare minimum), the 5.3 is great value if you want a good reliable engine.
I did a 5.3/4L80e swap into my 99 Silverado NBS ECSB 2wd and spent about $2500 a few years ago. Engine was like $400 and that swap is much easier since those trucks already came with that engine. It's pretty straightforward swap and play. Truck is more reliable and much more fun to drive now.
I don't know anything about smog, so can't help there.
I have been surfing craigslist and offer up and lq4 & 9's are still quite expensive, I will continue to research and save money and hopefully prices drop here in Socal in the next few months
Often, it’s just a cheap…or cheaper…to buy the entire wrecked vehicle. The bonus there is that you get to be the one to carefully remove everything needed for the swap. And when you’ve used everything needed, you can part it out and make most of your money back. I have a subcontractor that works for me and he makes more doing that, than what he makes at his real job…and I’m not a cheapskate. Look for entire wrecked vehicles. Much easier to find, and you get to hear it run first also. Nice truck sir!
@Che70velle- Thank you for the compliment on the truck. I wish I could take the credit for the bodywork but that was my body & paint techs at work.
I was thinking on the whole wrecked car I just have to find where to store it while I make time to swap everything over.
Would the stock LQ or 5.3 front drive system work with my truck and also keep AC?
@Che70velle- Thank you for the compliment on the truck. I wish I could take the credit for the bodywork but that was my body & paint techs at work.
I was thinking on the whole wrecked car I just have to find where to store it while I make time to swap everything over.
Would the stock LQ or 5.3 front drive system work with my truck and also keep AC?
The truck LS AC compressor won't work on the GMT 400, unless you notch the frame (which some folks have done. just need an angle grinder to cut abd welder to weld some patch plates)
You can buy an aftermarket AC relocator bracket however.
Any factory AC set ups that will work without notching the frame?
5.3 engines are definitely more cost effective il keep an eye for both and hope for a great deal to come thru
Vince, the compressor can be moved as Strut mentioned. I didn’t consider location wen I posted, only that it would be compatible with the OBS controls. I apologize for mis-speaking there. I gave this truck away a couple years back. My dad bought it new, and I got it from him in ‘90. Cool trucks…..https://autohunter.com/Listing/Detai...500-Show-Truck
@Chev70elle gave good advice on buying a complete donor. The little things that need swap add up quickly in costs. I would also say swap the transmission that came with the LS because of the electronics comparability and the later LS transmissions were better from the factory vs what's in your truck. That's assuming the donor transmission is good of course.
The 5.3 I bought came from a Yukon XL with a blown 4L60e. It seems in my experience that SUVs are generally speaking better taken care of than trucks. Evidently, trucks (especially older ones) get delegated for work duties and tend to be more neglected and abused than family haulers. Not always the case, but probably something to keep in mind when looking for a donor. If the body of the vehicle is severely neglected, you can almost always assume the mechanical part was as well.
If the price is right, I would even consider swapping a little 4.8 in your truck. Those are the lowest demand engines on the list. With the right gearing on a regular cab truck should be pretty fun to daily drive. Once you do the swap, swapping into a 5.3, 6.0, 6.2 down the road would be a direct drop-in because all of the LS family of engines are pretty much the same. Just thinking out loud here.
My brother's BIL recently wrecked his 00 Silverado RCSB in the rain. He'd just bought it 3 months ago and it was in very good shape. They parted it out because the frame was badly bent. The 4.8 engine still ran and was not damaged. The transmission cooler ruptured and ATF leaked, so we told the guy transmission may likely need a rebuild. A guy swapping into a square body bought the entire truck minus the bed, bumper, seats, interior and misc. parts that were sold to other guys.
I you decide to go the wrecked truck route Co-Part.com always has tons of vehicles in locations all over the states. Locally they will let you inspect the vehicles prior to purchase.
You can't put a truck motor into a car, in CA. So yeah, a 6.0 for your truck; but it won't pass muster in any car.
I wouldn't put a 4.8 in anything that weighs more than about 2500 lbs. That's about 290 CID. Given that it's one of the LS motors, it can make PLENTY of HP, for its size; but low-end torque will be sorely lacking.
The whole accessory drive, water pump, crank damper, etc. will work in your older truck, with the possible exception of the AC compressor. It's mounted way down low kinda off to the side on a 6.0 or 5.3. Not sure out of my own knowledge whether that will clear your frame, I'll let others who have done that swap, speak to that (there are plenty... it's pretty popular). If not, there are aftermarket solutions for it. Visit performancetrucks.net for more info on that sort of thing, there's LOTS of truck-specific knowledge over there.
He's putting it in a truck, so the truck engine in a car isn't a concern here. He has nothing to worry about here in Cali with this swap as long as whatever he might do to the engine has CARB approval. And no messing with the tune. Zey heff veys to find out.....
He's putting it in a truck, so the truck engine in a car isn't a concern here. He has nothing to worry about here in Cali with this swap as long as whatever he might do to the engine has CARB approval. And no messing with the tune. Zey heff veys to find out.....
Get the 6.0L then especially if You can't fiddle with it, no point in putting in the smaller engine just so you can wish you had the bigger one
12-06-2023, 10:11 AM
LQ9 or 5.3 build advice 
