6.0 iron block vs LS2 - Help with questions!

[BuddyP]

Hey guys, I have several questions here and hoping some of you guys can answer them... here's the scoop, I ran across a guy that has a 6.0 truck motor mated to a T-56, irronically that combo is what I've been brainstorming for the past few months. Motor has 20k miles and T56 is fresh. BTW this would be for a 1st gen Camaro.

1. how close does the 6.0 iron block truck motor compare to the LS2? Will intakes, heads, headers, ect. swap between motors?

2. What do I need to do for computer programming and harness?

3. Do the LS1 motor mount adaptor plates work with this block? Will by current LS1 tranny crossover member work with this motor/tranny combo?

4. What important componants do I need to look for on motor/tranny if I were to buy it?

5. What all in general do I need to make this motor run in my car.

6. I as of now don't know how long this motor has set since it has run last. What do I need to know or look for in that aspect? It would probably be a good while after I got it that I'd be able to make it run again. How critical is set time on these motors?

Thanks in advance!
Buddy P

[BuddyP]

Also, what this intake (or one like it) work with a iron block 6.0??

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/98-02-GM-Camaro-LS1-Typhoon-Intake-85-mm-Throttle-body_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ72Q3a1076Q7c39Q3a 1Q7c66Q3a2Q7c65Q3a12Q7c240Q3a1318QQ_trksidZp3286Q2 ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem250283087433QQitemZ25028308743 3

[merriman44]

Ok here goes.
1- Yes most everything will swap between all the lsx engines.
2-Call wait4meperformance or speertech for all your harness and ecm needs.
3-ls1 adapters work perfectly (I suggest carshop because they are cheap but very nice quality) you'll also need a new oil pan. Instead of the modified stocker I'd go with the Autokraft setup so you don't have to fiddle with a remote oil filter.
4-??? Try to look at a bunch of pictures of these motors so you know everything is there I guess.
5-adapters, a new fuel system, driveshaft etc
6-Not sure on this one but you could lay some wd-40 on the bores to keep off surface rust...

Anyone else have an idea on the shelf life of these guys?

Seriously man, use a search. Thats what its there for but this should get you started.

[merriman44]

And yes that intake would work unless you went with the ls7, ls3 or L92 (both the latter are the same essentially) heads.

[fast377]

Hey guys, I have several questions here and hoping some of you guys can answer them... here's the scoop, I ran across a guy that has a 6.0 truck motor mated to a T-56, irronically that combo is what I've been brainstorming for the past few months. Motor has 20k miles and T56 is fresh. BTW this would be for a 1st gen Camaro.

1. how close does the 6.0 iron block truck motor compare to the LS2? Will intakes, heads, headers, ect. swap between motors?

2. What do I need to do for computer programming and harness?

3. Do the LS1 motor mount adaptor plates work with this block? Will by current LS1 tranny crossover member work with this motor/tranny combo?

4. What important componants do I need to look for on motor/tranny if I were to buy it?

5. What all in general do I need to make this motor run in my car.

6. I as of now don't know how long this motor has set since it has run last. What do I need to know or look for in that aspect? It would probably be a good while after I got it that I'd be able to make it run again. How critical is set time on these motors?

Thanks in advance!
Buddy P

The iron 6.0l is very similar to the LS2. As far as external stuff (ie mounts) they are the same (different heads). There are also 2 different iron 6.0l...lq4 and lq9. They have different pistons. Iron block dropouts are dirt cheap, while the ls2 is still pretty high.

merriman44 answered anything else pretty well.

6. you would be surprised here. I had a LS1 sit for about 5 years before starting it. All I did was pour oil all over the crank, then before I started it, cranked it with the coil harness unplugged. Runs like a champ.

[Mike Norris]

Pretty much everyone has answered things for you. But you will not be able to use the factory truck accessory bracket setup with a standard LS1/ LS6, LS2 or FAST intake manifold as it will make contact with the bracketry. Most opt for a Camaro, Corvette or aftermarket front runner anyhow. If you decide to keep the stock truck braketry, then you will need to use the stock truck intake manifold.

Hope this helps.

Mike Norris

[BuddyP]

Pretty much everyone has answered things for you. But you will not be able to use the factory truck accessory bracket setup with a standard LS1/ LS6, LS2 or FAST intake manifold as it will make contact with the bracketry. Most opt for a Camaro, Corvette or aftermarket front runner anyhow. If you decide to keep the stock truck braketry, then you will need to use the stock truck intake manifold.

Hope this helps.

Mike Norris
What are you reffering to as bracketry?

Found out the motor doesn't come with intake (no bid deal), flywheel or electrical harness/ECM but sounds like everything else is there. It's been setting for about 2-3 but said they rotated it a couple times a year. He said $3k for a price for motor and tranny.

[fast377]

Bracketry as in accessory brackets...alternator, ps pump, etc. Truck accessories are a pain to work around in swaps. In my opinion, the fbody accessories are the better choice and are a little more abundant than corvette accessories.

Personally, I think 3k is a bit high for that...not a "bad" price, just on the higher end (especially since the motor is basically just a long block). But I suppose the T56 is what jacks it up. I've always gotten 6.0L complete dropouts for around 1500. But it has become increasingly difficult to find a stock T56 used for under 1200.

[BuddyP]

That's what I figured on the bracketry. I would be offering in the mid/high $2k range if I were to take it.

How big of deal is it to get electrical (PCM, harness, coils)? The motor has no electrical. I can get a complete motor off ebay for just under $2k. And I still would have to get a flywheel. As far as intake and such goes, I'd be replacing that along with the heads anyway.

[JYD]

That's what I figured on the bracketry. I would be offering in the mid/high $2k range if I were to take it.

How big of deal is it to get electrical (PCM, harness, coils)? The motor has no electrical. I can get a complete motor off ebay for just under $2k. And I still would have to get a flywheel. As far as intake and such goes, I'd be replacing that along with the heads anyway.

is the motor an LS2, or iron 6.0?

[BuddyP]

iron 6.0

Any help on electrical would be great. Found a LQ9 complete for $1400 with very low miles, came out of a hummer.


And yes that intake would work unless you went with the ls7, ls3 or L92 (both the latter are the same essentially) heads.
If I were to go with L92 heads, what do I need to look for in regards to an intake?

[TY69SS]

Welcome to the "Club"
I installed an LQ9 6.0 W/ 4L80 trany in a 69 Camaro, it's not rocket science.
Here's my recipe,
-'05 motor & trany, 19K miles - junk yard $1,500 (complete)
-LSx oil pan - by Autocraft $429.95
-hooker 2288 1HKR coated headers - Summit $649.95
-FAST LSX Intake manifold $874.50
-Wilson LSX 90mm throtle body $382.50
-Aeromotive LS1b fuel rails $207.99
-Motor mount adaptors -American Touring Specialties (ATS) $125.00
-Polyurethane Mounts-ATS $58.00(on stock big block frame brakets)
-Trany cross member - modified stock $0.00
-Weldon 600A fuel pump $375.00
-Fuel flters, hoses & Misc fittings +/- $500.00
-Computer, engine harness, w/ tranny controler-Big Stuff3 $2,320
-I used the stock accesory system but needed modifications to accomidate the 90 mm TB

GOOD LUCK!!!!

[meenaggie]

Good info, nice install. Did you have any issues with subframe interference with the stock A/C compressor mounted low?

[trapin]

iron 6.0

Any help on electrical would be great. Found a LQ9 complete for $1400 with very low miles, came out of a hummer.


If I were to go with L92 heads, what do I need to look for in regards to an intake?
Buddy, jump on that LQ9...that's a good price.

For the L92 heads you need to look at the L76 intake kit.

I think GM Performance Parts has discontinued selling the L76 Intake kit but another vendor has picked it up. I just can't remember which one. If anyone else here remembers, jump in.

[TY69SS]

Good info, nice install. Did you have any issues with subframe interference with the stock A/C compressor mounted low?
Yeah, I had to notch-out the sub frame about 1" down & 4" back - I think I got some pics if you need them.

[DIK069]

TY69SS,

They start off as one ugly engine


Nice install, I like the coil packs behind the firewall. Is there any prob running them that far away ?

[TY69SS]

how much hp do you think it will have

[WS6]

If I were to go with L92 heads, what do I need to look for in regards to an intake?

The stock intakes on all L92s are lower profile but the car ones are even lower than the truck ones still. GM has the L76/LS3 intake that will fit the L92/LS3 heads no problem. A complete intake from GM isn't expensive. There are aftermarket sources as well that will work. Do you want to use a plastic stock style intake or carb style aluminum intake?

[meenaggie]

TY69SS, thanks for the response. I have seen the BRP modification but thought maybe there was a way to make it work without notching the subframe. Just trying to decided to run the stock as-is, relocated stock A/C, or aftermarket front accessories.

[BuddyP]

And yes that intake would work unless you went with the ls7, ls3 or L92 (both the latter are the same essentially) heads.
What is the reason it won't work with L92 heads? Would this intake work with any aftermarket head or is this only setup for stock heads?


The stock intakes on all L92s are lower profile but the car ones are even lower than the truck ones still. GM has the L76/LS3 intake that will fit the L92/LS3 heads no problem. A complete intake from GM isn't expensive. There are aftermarket sources as well that will work. Do you want to use a plastic stock style intake or carb style aluminum intake?
Stock style intake, no carb. Would be nice to have a polished alum. intake though.

[TY69SS]

DIK069,
I used MSD 8.5 mm wires, and I've had no problems. The coils are mounted right behind the fire wall, so the distance is not that much.

[WS6]

polished aluminum will soak up heat so I don't recommend them but professional products makes what you're looking for. You can have your plastic intake powder coated for a better look.

[BuddyP]

polished aluminum will soak up heat so I don't recommend them but professional products makes what you're looking for. You can have your plastic intake powder coated for a better look.
I went into their site but only see the "Typhoon" intake, which is the same intake I have the link to earlier in this post. That is cast alum right?

[BuddyP]

Ok, talked with the guy that has the LQ9. He said he has a harness for a T-56, irronically the other guy that has the T-56 F/S does not have the harness. I need to be schooled hear... what all do I need for mating the T-56 to the 6.0 LQ9? He did note that I could use a '98-'02 5.7 oil pan on the 6.0 so that the T-56 bolts up. Does this sound right?

Also, do I need the LQ9 electronics and harness or will I be buying a whole new "setup"?

What I do know is that I won't use the manifolds, intake, heads or accessory bracket.

I just want to have full knowledge of this thing before I go get it. Want to have an idea of what my build will consist of.

Thanks!
Buddy P

[WS6]

The gen 3/4 motors get some of their rigidity from the oil pan. The bell housings also bolt the oil pans at the very bottom. You'll most likely need to swap to an Fbody oil pan for ground clearance which is no problem as it's a direct swap. Just be sure to get a new windage tray and oil pick up tube for an Fbody.

You can cut and modify the LQ9 harness to work and to work with the T56 or you can spend the money for a new harness from SpearTech. he also will modify your existing harness. So grab it if you can. It won't take much to make it work correctly.

Fbody clutch setup should be all you need, hydraulics too as the Gen3 T56s are hydraulic only.

Yes, the Preffsional Products intake is cast aluminum. I didn't realize you had linked to it already.

[BuddyP]

Well, I went and picked up the motor, came very close to taking the complete one just because the history and milage was known, but I went ahead and grabbed the "burnt" motor. Motor has heads, valve covers and oil pan, crank pulley, waterpump and power steering pump and bracket (PS came off a different motor, wasn't in the fire). Looks like most of the heat/fire stayed up on top of the motor. Am in the process of getting the holes all covered up and am going to go have it blasted and primed, then tare the heads and pan off and have it speced out.

As far as bracketry, so I can just buy a LS1 bracket setup and bolt it right on?

[TY69SS]

Buddy P, Check out the pics of the bracketry modifications. The object of the mods was to provide clearance for the 90mm TB.

[spsengines]

Hey guys, I have several questions here and hoping some of you guys can answer them... here's the scoop, I ran across a guy that has a 6.0 truck motor mated to a T-56, irronically that combo is what I've been brainstorming for the past few months. Motor has 20k miles and T56 is fresh. BTW this would be for a 1st gen Camaro.

1. how close does the 6.0 iron block truck motor compare to the LS2? Will intakes, heads, headers, ect. swap between motors?

2. What do I need to do for computer programming and harness?

3. Do the LS1 motor mount adaptor plates work with this block? Will by current LS1 tranny crossover member work with this motor/tranny combo?

4. What important componants do I need to look for on motor/tranny if I were to buy it?

5. What all in general do I need to make this motor run in my car.

6. I as of now don't know how long this motor has set since it has run last. What do I need to know or look for in that aspect? It would probably be a good while after I got it that I'd be able to make it run again. How critical is set time on these motors?

Thanks in advance!
Buddy P

1. Blocks are pretty much exactly the same on the outside, different heads, cam, intake and front drive kit. (Note: the LQ9 and the LS1 share the same cam)

2. You will need a new computer program and wiring harness that has been built for an LQ9. LQ9s and LS2s have different reluctor rings 24 tooth vs 58 tooth so you need to make sure that you have the correct harness and ecm.

3. You mounts should interchange.

4. It all depend on what you want really. Your front drive kit is important. Check to damage on a used engine and if you can check the engines compression.

5. Engine, Trans, Wiring Harness, ECM with Programming, Reture Fuel Filter, ect.

6. OIL, you don't want to fire up your motor with any dry spots.

If you were to decide to go with a new Turnkey setup then we have a LQ9/LS2 Coversion Package with 450HP... that looks just like a LS2 other then the cast iron block. It is available with or without Polished Accessories.

Check it out here:
http://www.southernperformancesystems.com/spseriespackages_vortec60_ls2.html

Of course we also have the parts that you might need if you already have an Engine.

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