How do I find the right replacement engine??

Young Guy · Dec 15, 2024

Our 2007 Tahoe is starting to have engine issues on a regular basis, and I think it’s time to replace the engine.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND:

This Tahoe was actually given to me by a family member and thus has significant sentimental value. We’ve only owned the car for 4 years, but its been driven all over the country and fell in love with it. It has 287K miles, has strong a engine, and has given us very few problems. Lately, I’ve been dealing with more and more issues and I know the older it gets, the more repairs it’ll need.

THE PROBLEM:

I don’t understand the process of buying a used/remanufactured engine.

Questions:

*My biggest question is how do I verify the mileage, or quality of the new engine?

*Where do i buy replacement engine from?

I livein Atlanta if that matters.

Thanks in advance for you help.

Doubeleive · Dec 16, 2024

Young Guy said:
Our 2007 Tahoe is starting to have engine issues on a regular basis, and I think it’s time to replace the engine.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND:

This Tahoe was actually given to me by a family member and thus has significant sentimental value. We’ve only owned the car for 4 years, but its been driven all over the country and fell in love with it. It has 287K miles, has strong a engine, and has given us very few problems. Lately, I’ve been dealing with more and more issues and I know the older it gets, the more repairs it’ll need.

THE PROBLEM:

I don’t understand the process of buying a used/remanufactured engine.

Questions:

*My biggest question is how do I verify the mileage, or quality of the new engine?

*Where do i buy replacement engine from?

I livein Atlanta if that matters.

Thanks in advance for you help.

A replacement engine "should" come from a matching 8th VIN number vehicle. Doesn't matter what vehicle it comes out of as long as the 8 vin digit matches yours then it is plug n play, lots of them around. If the vehicle it comes out of was wrecked then it's a pretty safe bet that the engine was running when it crashed.
If you get a engine with a different 8th vin then you will need the ECM as well. otherwise you have to pay extra for a tune to make it work with your ECM

Marky Dissod · Dec 16, 2024

Young Guy said:
Our 2007 Tahoe is starting to have engine issues on a regular basis, and I think it’s time to replace the engine ...

This is actually pretty vague.
What kind of actual engine issues are you having? Describe in more detail, please.

That said, if you're going to replace your engine, why not upgrade?
If it had a 4.8L LY2, step up to a 5.3L LY5 or LMG.
If it had a 5.3L LY5 / LMG, step up to a 6.0L L76 / LY6 ... better yet, a 6.2L L92 / L9H, if you're feelin' froggy.

Unless you're already REALLY good at getting great gas mileage, you'll net roughly the same MpG with a larger engine,
'cause you'll just drive even more sedately.
Obviously this will require a tune, which you will NOT regret (unless the tuner is a schmuckdiotard).

If the replacement engine has V4 mode hardware, it goes without saying, delete that horseschidt, have a real V8.

mikez71 · Dec 16, 2024

If buying used, the recycler usually has the mileage from the odometer. No way to fully verify. I would pull valve covers, and look for clean internals. golden yellow good, brown means they didn't change the oil as often as they should. A compression test to make sure valves/rings are sealing well.

Or buy from a rebuilder with warranty. Then the V4 hardware can be deleted for you already.

Joseph Garcia · Dec 16, 2024

You can also purchase a motor directly from GM. It will be more expensive, but it will come with a warranty that no used motor seller can match. And, you don't have to have the motor installed by a GM dealer. If you have a quality local repair shop, there R&R charges will be much less than the GM dealer.

GMCChevy · Dec 16, 2024

If you're buying a used engine from a wrecker their software will tell them what engines are compatible to yours. You'd have to trust them on mileage and condition but to a point you can verify some of that before installing, like how clean it is under the valve covers, use a camera to check the cylinders etc.

Marky Dissod · Dec 16, 2024

GMCChevy said:
If you're buying a used engine from a wrecker their software will tell them what engines are compatible to yours.

Every 4.8L 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L or 7.0L has pretty much the same 'footprint' and casts about the same 'shadow'.
Hunt for a good deal on a 6.0L or 6.2L, delete the Engine Half@$$ stuff, stick it in, enjoy.
You're never going to get the best of the bunch from a junkyard,
but it's not hard to clean up a junkyard engine before installing it.

Young Guy · Dec 16, 2024

Doubeleive said:
A replacement engine "should" come from a matching 8th VIN number vehicle. Doesn't matter what vehicle it comes out of as long as the 8 vin digit matches yours then it is plug n play, lots of them around. If the vehicle it comes out of was wrecked then it's a pretty safe bet that the engine was running when it crashed.
If you get a engine with a different 8th vin then you will need the ECM as well. otherwise you have to pay extra for a tune to make it work with your ECM

Super helpful insight!! Thank you!!!

ReaperHWK · Dec 16, 2024

I know you said sentimental but good financial decisions should also be considered. How is the body? How is the trans? I’d lean towards getting a new truck but that’s me. You can fix that motor but in a year from now the trans could go.

2015+ trucks are getting pretty cheap now.

I have a 2006 f150 I bought new with 215k miles now. Once that engine goes it’s going to the junk yard. Has no value at that age.

Young Guy · Dec 16, 2024

Marky Dissod said:
This is actually pretty vague.
What kind of actual engine issues are you having? Describe in more detail, please.

That said, if you're going to replace your engine, why not upgrade?
If it had a 4.8L LY2, step up to a 5.3L LY5 or LMG.
If it had a 5.3L LY5 / LMG, step up to a 6.0L L76 / LY6 ... better yet, a 6.2L L92 / L9H, if you're feelin' froggy.

Unless you're already REALLY good at getting great gas mileage, you'll net roughly the same MpG with a larger engine,
'cause you'll just drive even more sedately.
Obviously this will require a tune, which you will NOT regret (unless the tuner is a schmuckdiotard).

If the replacement engine has V4 mode hardware, it goes without saying, delete that horseschidt, have a real V8.

Thank you!! Great information!

How do I find the right replacement engine??

Young Guy

TYF Newbie

Doubeleive

Wes

Marky Dissod

Full Access Member

mikez71

Full Access Member

Joseph Garcia

GMCChevy

Member

Marky Dissod

Full Access Member

Young Guy

TYF Newbie

ReaperHWK

Full Access Member

Young Guy

TYF Newbie

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