LQ9 Swap in 1997 z71

lykaboss · May 29, 2015

Hello guys, got a question here i have a 1997 z71 extended cab, stock 5.7 liter engine. I want to do an LQ9 engine swap and found this site

http://www.lsx4u.com/

Here is a qoute from their site "LQ9 Vortec Max 6.0 (395 HP) REBUILT ENGINE $3995.95 Complete Long Block (No Harness or ECM included) or $4595.95 for a Complete Stand Alone Engine Package as pictured below!"

Now i am no mechanic, but what would be a rough dollar amount to have someone do the full swap for me? I know no one can give me an exact amount but a rough average would be nice. Would like to know what i am getting into

Chris · May 29, 2015

Well aan LQ9 is not 395 HP, it is 345. As for price, I paid $3000 out the door for engine, swap, and tuning.

BlackZ71Silverado · June 1, 2015

Chris has the correct information posted. The L76 Vortec Max is a little sronger engine at 367HP. Not sure where you got your numbers but they are inflated a little for the OEM spec LQ9 engine.

Unless the engine has some work done, the numbers are slightly off. Either way, it will be an improvement over your current set-up.

EDIT : I just read their description and they at least have an updated cam, that's where the higher numbers come from. Should be a strong powerplant that's for sure.

Chris · June 1, 2015

An LS6 cam in an LQ9 should gain about 25-30 crank HP. Also that much for a long block is outrageous

operator556 · June 1, 2015

Holy crap for the much dough I could buy a junkyard 6.0 and build it to 400+hp

BlackZ71Silverado · June 2, 2015

Holy crap for the much dough I could buy a junkyard 6.0 and build it to 400+hp

Sure can BUT all the work is already complete. It's got the LS6 cam. Also has new pistons, bearings, oil pump, timing chain and gear set, gaskets, valve job and heads, new valve springs. Not all that bad of a deal if you can't complete the work on your own.

The HP number they listed may actually be a little low.

operator556 · June 2, 2015

At this point I'm thinking about dropping an LS2 into my 99 Yukon. The 5.7 vortec is killing me

barry G · June 2, 2015

At this point I'm thinking about dropping an LS2 into my 99 Yukon. The 5.7 vortec is killing me

can't blame ya.

given the prices..

I'd try giving it the bigger throttle body at a minimum. there is also an intake gapper for $400 I have never seen or heard anyone try. That is an ingredient of the vortec max before it was called one.

Note: that gapper is not throttle body spacer, it is the whole darn intake, it is made of aluminum. Taylor something something makes it.

as with any v8, a cam will do it all..if the problems are that bad dig right in. Takes a day or less.

in contrast to a lot of discontent, the 5.0 vortec (my way) is a freakin' masterpiece with a manual tranny.

I reply giving a thumbs up to the original question.. that is a great buy, upgrades and all. That seems very nice from here.

added it to my favorites.

lykaboss · June 3, 2015

This comes from his pricing sheet

Remanufactured OEM 6.0L Gen 3 LS Iron Block

Reconditioned OEM 6.0L “24 Tooth” LS Crankshaft

New Main, Rod and Cam Bearings

New Rings

New Oil Pump

New Timing Set

42 PSI “Green Giant” Fuel Injectors

Stand Alone Engine Management Harness with ECM

STAGE 2 $4995 (Long Block version $4395)

Sealed Power Flat Top Pistons
317 Casting Aluminum Cylinder Heads (Reconditioned)
Dual Spring Valve Springs
“Nici” Camshaft - Specs 224/[email protected] .612/638 lift 115 LSA

Seems to be the one i would go with, It would be atleast 6 to 7 months before i could consider this, but its one of the first upgrades i want to do. I talked to another mechanic and he said... it really wasn't that bad of a deal. Labor to do the swap would be between 800 to 1000 dollars. There is no way i can do any of this myself, my mechanical skills extend to changing plugs and putting on a spare tire LOL

Blazerblitz · January 5, 2016

Hey Lykaboss,

Did you ever decide on anything? I did a swap - it wasn't too bad, but the price for that engine above (not even a complete drop) is way to much money. I got a 5.3, 4l60e, TC, and everything on it (with gas pedal and radiator fans) for $2k. The drivetrain was from a 2008 Tahoe with 68K on it.

Paying someone else will likely cost you between $6 to 9K, and you might not see your truck for 4 months or so.
DIY: $3 to $6 depending on what you get and what you need. I can be more specific if you like.
Not much of a mechanical aptitude - kind of sucks and will make this hard. You could always get a newer truck with an LS and build it up.