LM7 to LQ9 Engine Swap Thread?

[Boomer73]

Is there an authoritative thread somewhere for this swap, either on this forum or elsewhere? I understand its fairly simple including the fact that the LM7 wiring harness and ECU work just fine on the LQ9 (but need a retune to be optimal). I'm seeing some things on PerformanceTrucks.net but its not Tahoe/Suburban specific. Suggestions anyone? I know there's guys here that have done it. How about a How To sticky? Also an idea of what the real world all inclusive cost is would be great. I'm estimating it at about $3600 right now doing the swap myself and buying a remanufactured LQ9 with no core deposit.

-B

 

[Nickleahy23]

shit man..i spent 700 on a motor and then MAYBE another 100 on fluids and other parts..how do you get to 3600?

everything is identical...pull the motor, replace it, hook everything back up and your done..you can even run the 6.0 on the old tune until you get a retune....Took me a weekend to do the motor and trans..I had problems with the trans and motor being stuck together, so that set us back quite a bit..put the shift kit in and new motor and all was well..

 

[Boomer73]

My numbers were based on a 0 miles remanufactured motor with no core charge. I figured while I was doing it, I wasn't going to swap over accessories from the LM7 that had 100K+ miles on them so I was figuring in the the price of a new water pump, alternator, A/C compressor. The cheapest price I've been able to find for the reman motor is $2500. I figure a dyno tune would be about $300 locally. Given all this, I thought I was being conservative with the cost estimate. I didn't factor in new motor mounts, or converting over to the 2005+ electric fan, or a CAI. All of which I would probably do while I was in there.

I assume the $700 was a used motor? If it was reman 0 miles motor, please let me know where you got it. That would be awesome.

-B

 

[hoe]

Yea, it was used. As thats the price they go for 700-1300 depending on mileage. You can get a used 1 and reman it yourself with 0 miles for alot less as well. Full rebuild kit maybe couple hundred bucks. Thats if you had a good machine shop or could do the work yourself. These drivetrain come with a 100k mile warranty from dealer. The engines are solid all the way to 300k really. An 100k used engine is now getting broken in IMO. I would reman a used engine myself and build a 408 for the cost of less than you listed...

408 can make from 500hp-700hp N/A easy with about 11.5.1 compression. Prob the route I go once my LQ9 has it... but its a hell of a motor with 75k I picked up for 700$. Compression was solid on all cylinders, and runs like a champ on stock tune. Its getting dyno tuned on the 30th. You should read my thread of my swap, you can learn alot, its very intresting. I did not do a full writeup as of yet. Link: http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9881

 

[Boomer73]

Skills and equipment I have, but while money is always a consideration, it is time that is really at a premium. I would pay a little more to save me some time. I have time to drop one in on a Saturday, but any more than that I would have to turn it over to my indy shop. So I was thinking of getting an reman LQ9 and putting a mild 7-8psi supercharger on it and dropping it in a Suburban. I think 500hp should be pretty easy that way and the Burb ought to step out with that under the hood. If its a simple swap, I think it makes sense. I'm just about done with my '05 Tahoe project and I'm going to sell it. Gotta do a full detail and polish/wax tomorrow, then I will post pics. After that, I'm looking for a new project.

I'll check out the thread - thanks for the link.

-B

 

[sanddperformance]

You could almost put a late model 6.2 in it for $3600