LQ9 swap (w/ CA smog)

[87blackblazer]

After some very helpful replies in a separate thread, I've decided to focus on the engine/trans at this point and work on the other stuff later. Pretty sure I want a 6.0L swap, but it has to pass CA smog. It seems that the LQ9/4L80E may be the best option b/c that combo came in a light duty truck (Silverado SS). Did the LQ4 come in any 1500 series trucks (not HD)? This is a requirement for the swap.

Anybody have any suggestions for shops to do the swap (I'd love to do it myself, but I'm in Japan and need the job completed by my return in July)?

 

[K85 Octane]

location in CA?

and you'll need a smog referee to go over the truck before he gives you a new smog sticker and makes it legal. With the swap, you need to retain all the new smog equipment from the engine and whatever came in the truck originally (aka: the same CAT found on the newer truck, smog pump, manifolds, egr, all that good stuff)

 

[supermotard750]

The LQ9 came in the SS , the HD pick ups , escalade,and a few other high end suv's the. The LQ4 lower compression less HP 6.0 came in the non HD pickups and tahoe's

 

[87blackblazer]

location in CA?

San Diego

The LQ9 came in the SS , the HD pick ups , escalade,and a few other high end suv's the. The LQ4 lower compression less HP 6.0 came in the non HD pickups and tahoe's

My understanding is that the LQ9 did not come in HD pickups - only SUVs and HO pickups. On the other hand, the LQ4 only came in SUVs and HD pickups - not LD pickups. To pass the referee inspection, the donor vehicle has to be LD.

Here's what I believe to be the applications of each engine, please tell me if I'm wrong (or interpreting it incorrectly):

LQ4
Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana
Chevrolet Silverado 2500 Pickup, 3500 Pickup, Crew Cab, and Chassis Cab/GMC Sierra 2500 HD Pickup and Crew Cab, C3, Denali, and 3500 Pickup and Chassis Cab, 1500HD Crew Cab
Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Yukon XL Denali
Hummer H2 SUT
GMC Yukon Denali

LQ9
2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade
2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade EXT
2003-2006 Cadillac Escalade ESV
2003-2007 Chevrolet Silverado SS
2004-2005 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Vortec HO Edition Only
2006-2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra VortecMAX Option

 

[buefchris]

Whats a LD? You can put any of those engines in so long as they pass the ref inspection and smog.

 

[4X4HIGH]

Whats a LD? You can put any of those engines in so long as they pass the ref inspection and smog.

The referee DOES NOT allow the use of heavy duty engines in light duty trucks.

 

[buefchris]

All of these engines mentioned above are exhaust controlled. What they are saying is you can't put a carbed 572 or a detroit671 in a smoged controlled vehicle.
\If he has a commercial reg on that K-5 in the eyes of the state, thats a pick-up.
I've been down this road a few times and as long as you understand the rules,you'll never have a problem.
Plus, when you start dealing with these "refs" ,you'll realize your not working with a mind thats capable of spliting the atom.

 

[drew4x4]

my understanding - not from california, never been, never will - is that you ain't allowed to put a larger engine then the vehicle came from with factory, because the larger engine increases the smog... unless your blazer came from the factory with a 400sbc (which would be 6.6 liters) there is no way you could put a 6.0 in it and pass emissions. EVEN if a 2002 lq4 or lq9 produces MUCH less emissions then an 87 350sbc.

 

[buefchris]

I've installed 350's in trucks that have had 305 with no troubles.
The cubic inch difference that this guys' dealing with is a non issue.

 

[4X4HIGH]

All of these engines mentioned above are exhaust controlled. What they are saying is you can't put a carbed 572 or a detroit671 in a smoged controlled vehicle.
\If he has a commercial reg on that K-5 in the eyes of the state, thats a pick-up.
I've been down this road a few times and as long as you understand the rules,you'll never have a problem.
Plus, when you start dealing with these "refs" ,you'll realize your not working with a mind thats capable of spliting the atom.

Blazers are registered as a passenger vehicle (usually as a station wagon).

my understanding - not from california, never been, never will - is that you ain't allowed to put a larger engine then the vehicle came from with factory, because the larger engine increases the smog... unless your blazer came from the factory with a 400sbc (which would be 6.6 liters) there is no way you could put a 6.0 in it and pass emissions. EVEN if a 2002 lq4 or lq9 produces MUCH less emissions then an 87 350sbc.

In California you are allowed to swap engines as long as it is the same cubic inch size or LARGER and you must use ALL of the emissions equipment that was on the donor engine.

 

[K85 Octane]

Wait, in another thread the OP mentions this truck will be built here and then shipped to another state.

What are the laws in the other state? Don't build it to CA standards, that's stupid (says the guy from CA)

 

[4X4HIGH]

After some very helpful replies in a separate thread, I've decided to focus on the engine/trans at this point and work on the other stuff later. Pretty sure I want a 6.0L swap, but it has to pass CA smog. It seems that the LQ9/4L80E may be the best option b/c that combo came in a light duty truck (Silverado SS). Did the LQ4 come in any 1500 series trucks (not HD)? This is a requirement for the swap.

Anybody have any suggestions for shops to do the swap (I'd love to do it myself, but I'm in Japan and need the job completed by my return in July)?

Wait, in another thread the OP mentions this truck will be built here and then shipped to another state.

What are the laws in the other state? Don't build it to CA standards, that's stupid (says the guy from CA)

Better recheck his post.

 

[K85 Octane]

Since I can't do it myself (still living in Japan), we're looking for a reputable, reasonably priced shop or shops to do it for us. Any suggestions? The truck is currently in San Diego, but I'll be shipping it to Charlottesville, VA as my daily driver in July. Since it's going across the country anyway, the restoration shop(s) need not be in a particular state/region.

I dunno

 

[87blackblazer]

Wait, in another thread the OP mentions this truck will be built here and then shipped to another state.

What are the laws in the other state? Don't build it to CA standards, that's stupid (says the guy from CA)

The truck is currently in San Diego (and registered there as my wife's truck). I am moving to Charlottesville, VA for 10 months. Since I'm in the military and a resident of WV, I could register the K5 in CA, VA, or WV. However, I will likely retire to CA in a few years and don't want to rebuild to CA requirements then.

 

[87blackblazer]

The referee DOES NOT allow the use of heavy duty engines in light duty trucks.

I agree this is the state of the law. However, what is defined as a "heavy duty" truck? Is it defined according to the manufacturer such that everything up to and including a GM 3500 is considered light duty (4500 is considered by GM to be medium duty)? Or is it defined by the state?

If it's defined by the state, is the K5 defined as a "light duty truck"? If so, where does the "light duty truck" classification stop? 1500? 2500? HD classification?

For example, the L92/6L80E came in a 2009 Silverado 1500. Can that go in an '87 K5?

Here are some bullets from the CA Bureau of Automotive Repair website:

Classification
Don't mix engine and vehicle classifications which will degrade the emissions certification standards. For example, a heavy–duty engine cannot be installed in a light–duty exhaust–controlled chassis even if they have the same displacement. Non–emissions controlled power plants such as industrial or off–road–use–only engines may not be placed in any exhaust–controlled vehicle.

Computer Controls
If a computer–controlled engine is installed in a non–computerized vehicle, the "CHECK ENGINE" light, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) diagnostic link, and all sensors, switches, and wiring harnesses needed to make the system fully functional must also be installed.

Emission Control Configuration
Mixing and matching emission control system components could cause problems and is generally not allowed. Engine and emission control systems must be in an engine–chassis configuration certified by the California Air Resources Board (ARB) or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The engine must meet or exceed the requirements for the year and class of vehicle in which it is installed.

Engine Modifications
No internal or external engine modifications (cams, pistons, intakes, etc.) may be performed unless the parts are ARB–exempted or EPA–certified for use in the installed engine.

Original Equipment
The installed engine and host chassis must retain all of their original emission control equipment. Diesel–to–gasoline conversions must have all gasoline engine and chassis emission control systems installed (such as fillpipe restrictor, catalytic converter and evaporative emission system).

 

[buefchris]

All of these engines mentioned above are exhaust controlled. What they are saying is you can't put a carbed 572 or a detroit671 in a smoged controlled vehicle.
\If he has a commercial reg on that K-5 in the eyes of the state, thats a pick-up.
I've been down this road a few times and as long as you understand the rules,you'll never have a problem.
Plus, when you start dealing with these "refs" ,you'll realize your not working with a mind thats capable of spliting the atom.

\
Not that it matters much but, how is yours registered?
Remember that these also came with a 379 cubic inch diesel,the same size engine that came in a 1 ton truck.

 

[87blackblazer]

\
Not that it matters much but, how is yours registered?
Remember that these also came with a 379 cubic inch diesel,the same size engine that came in a 1 ton truck.

Not registered as commercial.

 

[87blackblazer]

L9h/6l80e/mp3023

Alright, I think I'm getting close to a decision. Looks like I'm going to swing for the fences and drop in a 6.2L L9H out of a 2011 Silverado 1500, and the 6L80E from the same truck.

My question is about transfer cases. The drive train I'm buying comes with the MP3023. Is there any way to use that in the swap? Truthfully, I'd rather have a manual t-case. Any suggestions?

 

[drew4x4]

you won't be able to use that transfer case. That'll be a driver side drop, while your solid front axle will be a passenger side drop.

Advanced adapters makes an adapter that will allow you to bolt your 6l80e up to an NP205, which is the strongest transfer case, passenger side drop, that came in these trucks.
Thats what I'm using to bolt an NP205 up to a 4l60e.

 

[Mkuhn138]

Put the GMPP Erod LS3 in. That's what I would've done if money wasn't an object. . The whole package is CARB certified