Identifying Engines

**ronnyinwaxhaw** · 10-15-2009, 06:57 PM

Hello to everybody, I'm new to your community. I'm 55 and live in NC. I've seen references to your forums in car magazines. Now that I have questions, I came here and signed on. I read the December issue of Super Chevy and became curious about these engines. The cover said "Every Engine Decoded" but I still have a lot of questions. I have a '79 El Camino, and I'd like to put a 6.2 in it. I have a first gen 5.7 that I was going to have rebuilt, but I'm curious about these new engines.This truck will be just a "cruiser" so I'm not looking for something that makes big power. I just want a lumpy cam and a carb to keep it simple. I get the feeling that these engines look pretty much the same without the plastic covers. How can a novice spot a LS3/L92/L99 or a LQ4/LQ9. Aluminum or iron block doesn't matter to me. What tells you what it is when you raise the hood? How can I tell it's not a 5.3 or 5.7? Like the old engines, is there a casting number that can be decoded?

**FORD RECOVERY EXPERT** · 10-15-2009, 08:36 PM

There are several ways to tell, a 6.2 is going to be harder to find than a 6.0...

Tell us exactly what your looking for, and we'll tell you what to be looking for.

**ronnyinwaxhaw** · 10-16-2009, 04:49 AM

I guess from reading the magazine my first pick would be an LS3 or L92. I like the accessory drive layout better, but the LQ9 would be OK too. I saw a picture of a Monte Carlo SS in Car Craft with an LS swap. That engine had the high mounted alternator, and they said the hood would close. I guess my question really was how do you recognize what the engine is once it's been removed from the vehicle, especially if the plastic cover is gone. If the guy at the salvage yard says he pulled it out of an Escalade, how can you tell?

I guess I did look for the bigger engines first. I was thinking about making a 383 out of my 350 at one time. I can probably buy a 376 from a salvage yard cheaper than I can build a Gen1 at the machine shop. The magazine listed all the engines by their alpha-numeric series and cubic inches, not by litres. The 6.0 you mentioned. is that a LY6? That looks like a good choice too.

I realize I am way behind the curve when it comes to these engines. Please overlook the lack of knowledge. I began my El Camino project years ago, and I've had the usual amount of trouble sticking to my original plan (don't we all?). Here I go changing my direction again. Like I said, I would change the cam, and go with an intake and carb, and probably the MSD controller. I have a 700R4 and a twelve-bolt. The twelve-bolt came from under a bigger car and will need to be narrowed.

**FORD RECOVERY EXPERT** · 10-16-2009, 09:24 AM

The 6.0's are usually LQ4 (325hp) or LQ9(345hp)

cast iron block, aluminum heads....

What kind of power do you want to make, and will it be n/a, N2O, s/c, or turbo?

**ronnyinwaxhaw** · 10-16-2009, 11:16 AM

I'm not really looking for big power, big cubes move a car down the road pretty good. No power adders are planned. Just a noticeable idle and good driveablility. I just want to look good and sound good at a cruise-in.

**FORD RECOVERY EXPERT** · 10-16-2009, 12:01 PM

LQ4 is the most common 6.0. 325 hp stock, throw in a lumpy bumpstick, headers and a good tune, should make at least 350, and sound very good.

**ronnyinwaxhaw** · 10-16-2009, 12:43 PM

Thanks. My question was how do I know what I'm looking at. If I'm standing at racks of engines at a salvage yard is there some way to positively say it's not a 5.3?

**SSnow** · 10-16-2009, 04:31 PM

Originally Posted by ronnyinwaxhaw

I guess I did look for the bigger engines first. I was thinking about making a 383 out of my 350 at one time. I can probably buy a 376 from a salvage yard cheaper than I can build a Gen1 at the machine shop. The magazine listed all the engines by their alpha-numeric series and cubic inches, not by litres. The 6.0 you mentioned. is that a LY6? That looks like a good choice too.

You realize that your going to have to modify your engine bay to accept this block? I think a rebuilt or crate gen II engine would be a more cost effective way to go. They are very available with all kinds of parts around to dress them up.

**T-Rexxx** · 10-16-2009, 04:58 PM

The '79 will take the capacity of a big block 454. The only thing mounting wise will be the motor mounts. The next problem you have to do is if you plan on being carbed or fuel injected. You can buy a carb kit, but you have to do a lot of mods. on the LS series but, it can be done if you don't mind your distributor being on the front of the engine.

**FORD RECOVERY EXPERT** · 10-16-2009, 07:00 PM

Originally Posted by ronnyinwaxhaw

Thanks. My question was how do I know what I'm looking at. If I'm standing at racks of engines at a salvage yard is there some way to positively say it's not a 5.3?

Stamped on block.

**FORD RECOVERY EXPERT** · 10-16-2009, 07:07 PM

Here is LS1

**ronnyinwaxhaw** · 10-16-2009, 07:24 PM

That's what I wanted to know. From the photo that stamp looks like it's on the driver's side of the block. Can it be seen with the accessory drive installed?

**FORD RECOVERY EXPERT** · 10-16-2009, 08:20 PM

idk, but im 90% sure its on the back as well

**0rion** · 10-16-2009, 10:10 PM

that picture is of the rear.. I've never noticed it on mine as far as it being on the front but I've never looked for it either so it could be there.

**SeVeReDiStOrTiOn** · 10-17-2009, 02:42 PM

You could go by the haed casting numbers...they're easy to see even when between the fenders.

GM Head Guide
Casting Number 241
Head: 1997+ LS1 5.7 Litre Passenger Car
Material: Aluminimum
Part Number:
12558806 (1997-98)
12559853 (1999-00)
12564241 (2001-03)
Combustion Chamber Volume: 66.67cc
Compression Ratio: 10.1:1
Intake Port Volume: 200cc
Exhaust Port Volume: 70cc
Intake Valve Diameter: 2.00 inches
Exhaust Valve Diameter: 1.55 inches

Casting Number 243
Head: 2001 LS6 5.7 Litre Passenger Car
Material: Aluminimum
Part Number:
12564243
Combustion Chamber Volume: 64.45cc
Compression Ratio: 10.5:1
Intake Port Volume: 210cc
Exhaust Port Volume: 75cc
Intake Valve Diameter: 2.00 inches
Exhaust Valve Diameter: 1.55 inches

Casting Number 706
Head: 1999+ LR4 4.8 Litre Truck
1999+ LM4 /LM7 5.3 Litre Truck
Material: Aluminimum
Part Number:
12559852
12561706
Combustion Chamber Volume: 61.15cc
Compression Ratio: 9.5:1
Intake Port Volume: 200cc
Exhaust Port Volume: 70cc
Intake Valve Diameter: 1.89 inches
Exhaust Valve Diameter: 1.55 inches

Casting Number 373
Head: 1999-2000 LQ4 6.0 Litre Truck
Material: Cast Iron
Part Number:
12561873
Combustion Chamber Volume: 71.06cc
Compression Ratio: 9.5:1
Intake Port Volume: 210cc
Exhaust Port Volume: 75cc
Intake Valve Diameter: 2.00 inches
Exhaust Valve Diameter: 1.55 inches

Casting Number 317
Head: 2001+ LQ4 6.0 Litre Truck
Material: Aluminimum
Part Number:
12572035
Combustion Chamber Volume: 71.06cc
Compression Ratio: 10:1
Intake Port Volume: 210cc
Exhaust Port Volume: 75cc
Intake Valve Diameter: 2.00 inches
Exhaust Valve Diameter: 1.55 inches

Head: GMPP C5R
Material: Aluminimum
Part Number:
12480005
Combustion Chamber Volume: 38cc
Compression Ratio:
Intake Port Volume:
Exhaust Port Volume: 70cc

Head: GMPP C5R
Material: Aluminimum
Part Number:
12480025
Combustion Chamber Volume: 38cc
Compression Ratio:
Intake Port Volume:
Exhaust Port Volume: 70cc

Head: GMPP C5R
Material: Aluminimum
Part Number:
12480090
Combustion Chamber Volume: <30cc
Compression Ratio:
Intake Port Volume:
Exhaust Port Volume: 70cc

**SeVeReDiStOrTiOn** · 10-17-2009, 02:43 PM

Couldn't find the numbers for an ls3/l99 but you get the idea..

**FORD RECOVERY EXPERT** · 10-17-2009, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by 0rion

that picture is of the rear.. I've never noticed it on mine as far as it being on the front but I've never looked for it either so it could be there.

The LS1 is rear view, but is the 6.o?

**Hi-Po** · 10-17-2009, 08:48 PM

The 6.0 would be damn near impossible to see with the engine in car, its in the back. I actually looked for numbers on my block a few weeks ago, could only find the one.

**joedude02** · 10-17-2009, 09:21 PM

i recommend going by the head casting number. it won't be 100%, but you usually won't find upgraded or modded heads in the scrap yard. the head casting is at least the first identifier before looking any further in my opinion. some won't agree with me on this, but stock engines are a dime a dozen and i never waste any time if i can help it while being out in the muddy ass salvage yard.

**FORD RECOVERY EXPERT** · 10-18-2009, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by joedude02

i recommend going by the head casting number. it won't be 100%, but you usually won't find upgraded or modded heads in the scrap yard. the head casting is at least the first identifier before looking any further in my opinion. some won't agree with me on this, but stock engines are a dime a dozen and i never waste any time if i can help it while being out in the muddy ass salvage yard.

Some engines have more than one haed option, depending on year.... and MOST motors (of this caliber, and DFW area anyway) are pulled and on a rack in the shop already.