LQ Motor Work?

**bull1112** · 10-05-2011, 09:35 AM

Sorry if this is the wrong section. I have a 01' WS-6 Trans Am M-6 that had the roller part of a lifter basically lose a 1/4 of it in the motor. Was wanting to save the motor if possible, but seems unlikely considering the amount of metal that has gone through it. I found an company that has several variations of LQ4 (or LQ9, not sure) motors, with HP varying from 405 up to over 500. I'm content with the 405 hp (iron block) and speaking with the rep, he says I'd need to drill a hole to mount the alternator and get a dyno tune, but everything else otherwise would bolt up and work.

Does this sound correct to you guys? Has anyone tried one of these motors in their cars before? I understand it is a truck motor (the LQ9) in the Escalade, but there's no replacement for displacement and that rating is pretty nice!

**tatertot91** · 10-05-2011, 10:02 AM

Shouldn't have to drill anything. Your accessories should replace those on the iron block to make it a fairly easy swap. Tune will be necessary though

**bluonblk99** · 10-05-2011, 04:58 PM

i have a 99 T/A that the lifter did the same thing but the lifter ate the lifter bore in the ls1. so i bought an lq9 which was a gm test engine. it only had 100 miles on it. there is a boss on the engine that you must drill and tap to mount the alternator but that is it. everything else is the same. my ls1 was stock and so was the 6.0 and the stock computer ran it fine.

**My00Z28** · 10-05-2011, 05:08 PM

Originally Posted by bluonblk99

i have a 99 T/A that the lifter did the same thing but the lifter ate the lifter bore in the ls1. so i bought an lq9 which was a gm test engine. it only had 100 miles on it. there is a boss on the engine that you must drill and tap to mount the alternator but that is it. everything else is the same. my ls1 was stock and so was the 6.0 and the stock computer ran it fine.

^thats correct i have an lq4 block sitting in my garage right now!!!

**bluonblk99** · 10-05-2011, 05:10 PM

but with 405 hp the motor at least has a cam in it so the computer will have to be tuned

**tatertot91** · 10-05-2011, 06:01 PM

Originally Posted by My00Z28

^thats correct i have an lq4 block sitting in my garage right now!!!

Didn't know that
learn something new every day

**bluonblk99** · 10-06-2011, 07:24 PM

you will have to use your stock oil pan too idk if the crate motor will come with a truck pan or not just thought i would let you know.

**Cutlass** · 10-06-2011, 07:39 PM

I've read there can be some issues with getting a T56 manual trans to work with some LQ4/LQ9s, but I can't find the exact info. I believe there is something different with the rear of the crank the doesn't work with the pilot bearing or something. Hopefully the company setting you up with the LQx knows this and is giving you the correct crankshaft that'll work with the T56

**My00Z28** · 10-06-2011, 07:41 PM

Originally Posted by Cutlass

I've read there can be some issues with getting a T56 manual trans to work with some LQ4/LQ9s, but I can't find the exact info. I believe there is something different with the rear of the crank the doesn't work with the pilot bearing or something. Hopefully the company setting you up with the LQx knows this and is giving you the correct crankshaft that'll work with the T56

^ this is ture but i think its only on the "older" LQ engines like 99-01 or something!

**bluonblk99** · 10-06-2011, 07:48 PM

that idk my motor is an 04 all i had to do was put a pilot bearing in and that was it so you might want to check up on that.

**bluonblk99** · 10-06-2011, 07:51 PM

i havealways heard the older 6.0s had issues but im not for sure what they were.

**Deviant LS1** · 10-06-2011, 10:19 PM

01 and earlier have a different length crank hub in the rear. You can't run a manual transmission behind it as the flywheel and starter will not align.

With an LQ4 and LQ9 you have to drill and tap a hole for your alternator. You have to run your LS1 oil pan and pick up on it along with the rest of your accessories and intake setup. Essentially you're just using the block.