LM7 to LQ4 swap questions

yota · 09-15-2011, 10:00 PM

looks like im just going to be swapping my 5.3 out for my 6.0 lq4 myself due to various reasons... the main reason being that i just found out that i have to move to new york next month

i'm planning to do the swap the weekend of oct 1-2, probably starting on it that friday morning actually, so i want to start brainstorming and knocking any little snags that might come up out now, before i get elbow deep in this and find out that i'm in trouble lol

basically, i have a 2001 tahoe with the 5.3/4l60e... swapping in a 2001 lq4 out of a wrecked 2500hd... the donor engine is complete from throttle body to oil pan, including everything except for the coil packs, accessories, and starter... i'm assuming everything is a direct swap and from everything i've read seems to point to this being plug and play, just like swapping in another 5.3... is this correct?

other parts going in at the same time include a 2800 stall and a set of OBX stainless headers and y-pipe... anything i need to worry about with these parts? or is it just bolt them in and you're good to go? i think i remember reading something about plug wires with the headers due to the "hump" in one of the primaries... anyone know if this is an issue and what i need to get to make everything work if so? also, should i put wire socks on the plug wires or should they be fine without?

the only other thing i think i'm missing is that i'm sure it will require a tune to run optimally... will this thing still crank and run on the stock 5.3 tune though?

also, anyone who wants to help out and lend an experienced eye to the project is more than welcome... i will be doing it at the hobby shop at the weapons station hopefully and will offer a nice steak dinner to anyone who wants to come out and lend a hand

thanks in advance

BAD BOB · 09-15-2011, 10:12 PM

i would say you will def need a tune. i did a motor swap in my 04 and went one motor size up and needed to. even if you just put in a stock 6.0 tune but would be best to just have a tune done to compensate for the headers and stall. as far as the headers i dont know about the plug wire issue but i do believe hearing that they fit real good. and as far as the rest should be direct swap and should bolt up fine. give JP a call 843-608-8LSX(579) about the tune stuff and even questions about the swap. he messes with this stuff all the time. good luck

BAD BOB · 09-15-2011, 10:14 PM

and if you would like you could contact me at 843-200-3196 if you have any questions

PapaBear · 09-15-2011, 10:52 PM

Not sure about the truck 6.0, but with LS 2 in my truck, wires were necessary as stocks have straight boots on plug end. 45* boots at plug end needed to clear primaries. Wire socks were an added layer of security.

If I'm not workin (slim chance but possible), I could lend a wrench hand. The expertise part I do lack in, but I can turn a wrench with the best of em.

Good luck!

CoppertopT/A · 09-15-2011, 11:18 PM

Did the 6.0 short block swap in my trans am, I assume it is similar to that just bolted on all my old stuff and a new cam and intake. It started up just fine. Even ran fine for a day and had the tuner put a quick base map on it.

yota · 09-16-2011, 08:38 AM

cool deal... thanks for the info guys... sounds like ive got some work ahead of me but shouldn't be too bad... (famous last words hunh? haha)

yota · 09-16-2011, 08:39 AM

btw, here is the stock photo of my particular headers if it helps with the wire question...

yota · 09-26-2011, 11:23 AM

getting closer... going to pick up the engine this week and the swap starts friday... hope it all goes well

yota · 09-26-2011, 01:36 PM

where are y'all getting wire socks? having a hard time finding them on summit, jegs, etc... anyone have a link? trying to order them today...

BAD BOB · 09-26-2011, 01:52 PM

i seen them at advance this weekend sold 2 to a pack

PapaBear · 09-26-2011, 02:23 PM

Bought mine from pcmforless.com but they were kinda pricey. $55 for 8 I think.

yota · 09-26-2011, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PapaBear

Bought mine from pcmforless.com but they were kinda pricey. $55 for 8 I think.

thanks... going to go with those... everything i found on jegs/summit is close to $10/ea

PapaBear · 09-26-2011, 03:09 PM

Can't say enough about the products and service from them. Top notch, and u will have it in 2 days or less.

yota · 09-26-2011, 03:35 PM

cool deal... got them ordered so i should be good to go there... gonna try to use the stock plug wires with the headers... if thats a no-go, i'm sure i should be able to pick up a decent set from advanced or vato zone... going to pick up the motor and stall converter on thursday so need to get a uhaul lined up (unless someone has a small trailer i can borrow thursday/friday?) and hopefully that should be all i need other than plugs, and oil/filter

PapaBear · 09-26-2011, 03:38 PM

You could use mine but it got stolen about two weeks ago and I haven't replaced it.

yota · 09-26-2011, 04:10 PM

of all the luck!!! sorry to hear about that, that sucks! thanks for the offer anyway lol

yota · 09-27-2011, 06:37 PM

ordered the sleeves from pcmforless.com yesterday and they arrived today... talk about FAST shipping!

too bad ups came during the only 2 hours i wasn't here today and dropped it off at the office which is now closed...

yota · 10-01-2011, 09:51 PM

Fuckkkkkkkkk!!!!!

6.0 is in the engine bay, for now……

09-15-2011, 10:00 PM	#1
yota Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Va Posts: 1,049	LM7 to LQ4 swap questions looks like im just going to be swapping my 5.3 out for my 6.0 lq4 myself due to various reasons... the main reason being that i just found out that i have to move to new york next month i'm planning to do the swap the weekend of oct 1-2, probably starting on it that friday morning actually, so i want to start brainstorming and knocking any little snags that might come up out now, before i get elbow deep in this and find out that i'm in trouble lol basically, i have a 2001 tahoe with the 5.3/4l60e... swapping in a 2001 lq4 out of a wrecked 2500hd... the donor engine is complete from throttle body to oil pan, including everything except for the coil packs, accessories, and starter... i'm assuming everything is a direct swap and from everything i've read seems to point to this being plug and play, just like swapping in another 5.3... is this correct? other parts going in at the same time include a 2800 stall and a set of OBX stainless headers and y-pipe... anything i need to worry about with these parts? or is it just bolt them in and you're good to go? i think i remember reading something about plug wires with the headers due to the "hump" in one of the primaries... anyone know if this is an issue and what i need to get to make everything work if so? also, should i put wire socks on the plug wires or should they be fine without? the only other thing i think i'm missing is that i'm sure it will require a tune to run optimally... will this thing still crank and run on the stock 5.3 tune though? also, anyone who wants to help out and lend an experienced eye to the project is more than welcome... i will be doing it at the hobby shop at the weapons station hopefully and will offer a nice steak dinner to anyone who wants to come out and lend a hand thanks in advance __________________ 1999 Trans Am 2007.5 Dodge Mega Cab Cummins

09-15-2011, 10:12 PM	#2
BAD BOB Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SUMMERVILLE Posts: 3,681	i would say you will def need a tune. i did a motor swap in my 04 and went one motor size up and needed to. even if you just put in a stock 6.0 tune but would be best to just have a tune done to compensate for the headers and stall. as far as the headers i dont know about the plug wire issue but i do believe hearing that they fit real good. and as far as the rest should be direct swap and should bolt up fine. give JP a call 843-608-8LSX(579) about the tune stuff and even questions about the swap. he messes with this stuff all the time. good luck __________________ IM BAD BOB

09-15-2011, 10:14 PM	#3
BAD BOB Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SUMMERVILLE Posts: 3,681	and if you would like you could contact me at 843-200-3196 if you have any questions __________________ IM BAD BOB

09-16-2011, 08:38 AM	#6
yota Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Va Posts: 1,049	cool deal... thanks for the info guys... sounds like ive got some work ahead of me but shouldn't be too bad... (famous last words hunh? haha) __________________ 1999 Trans Am 2007.5 Dodge Mega Cab Cummins

09-16-2011, 08:39 AM	#7
yota Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Va Posts: 1,049	btw, here is the stock photo of my particular headers if it helps with the wire question... __________________ 1999 Trans Am 2007.5 Dodge Mega Cab Cummins

09-15-2011, 10:52 PM	#4
PapaBear Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2,809	Not sure about the truck 6.0, but with LS 2 in my truck, wires were necessary as stocks have straight boots on plug end. 45* boots at plug end needed to clear primaries. Wire socks were an added layer of security. If I'm not workin (slim chance but possible), I could lend a wrench hand. The expertise part I do lack in, but I can turn a wrench with the best of em. Good luck!

09-15-2011, 11:18 PM	#5
CoppertopT/A Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 192	Did the 6.0 short block swap in my trans am, I assume it is similar to that just bolted on all my old stuff and a new cam and intake. It started up just fine. Even ran fine for a day and had the tuner put a quick base map on it.

09-26-2011, 11:23 AM	#8
yota Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Va Posts: 1,049	getting closer... going to pick up the engine this week and the swap starts friday... hope it all goes well __________________ 1999 Trans Am 2007.5 Dodge Mega Cab Cummins

09-26-2011, 01:36 PM	#9
yota Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Va Posts: 1,049	where are y'all getting wire socks? having a hard time finding them on summit, jegs, etc... anyone have a link? trying to order them today... __________________ 1999 Trans Am 2007.5 Dodge Mega Cab Cummins

09-26-2011, 01:52 PM	#10
BAD BOB Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SUMMERVILLE Posts: 3,681	i seen them at advance this weekend sold 2 to a pack __________________ IM BAD BOB

09-26-2011, 02:23 PM	#11
PapaBear Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2,809	Bought mine from pcmforless.com but they were kinda pricey. $55 for 8 I think.

09-26-2011, 03:09 PM	#13
PapaBear Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2,809	Can't say enough about the products and service from them. Top notch, and u will have it in 2 days or less.

09-26-2011, 03:35 PM	#14
yota Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Va Posts: 1,049	cool deal... got them ordered so i should be good to go there... gonna try to use the stock plug wires with the headers... if thats a no-go, i'm sure i should be able to pick up a decent set from advanced or vato zone... going to pick up the motor and stall converter on thursday so need to get a uhaul lined up (unless someone has a small trailer i can borrow thursday/friday?) and hopefully that should be all i need other than plugs, and oil/filter __________________ 1999 Trans Am 2007.5 Dodge Mega Cab Cummins

09-26-2011, 03:38 PM	#15
PapaBear Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 2,809	You could use mine but it got stolen about two weeks ago and I haven't replaced it.

09-26-2011, 04:10 PM	#16
yota Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Va Posts: 1,049	of all the luck!!! sorry to hear about that, that sucks! thanks for the offer anyway lol __________________ 1999 Trans Am 2007.5 Dodge Mega Cab Cummins

09-27-2011, 06:37 PM	#17
yota Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Va Posts: 1,049	ordered the sleeves from pcmforless.com yesterday and they arrived today... talk about FAST shipping! too bad ups came during the only 2 hours i wasn't here today and dropped it off at the office which is now closed... __________________ 1999 Trans Am 2007.5 Dodge Mega Cab Cummins

10-01-2011, 09:51 PM	#18
yota Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Va Posts: 1,049	Fuckkkkkkkkk!!!!! 6.0 is in the engine bay, for now…… __________________ 1999 Trans Am 2007.5 Dodge Mega Cab Cummins