Differences in model years of LS motors

[Doppleganger]

I'm in the hunt for a 6.0 and 4l80e. Ones I thought I would get turned out to be...well, too thrashed for the $. Owner seemed to have amnesia too when asked about years, mileage. BTDT enough.

I see 99-02's.....and then just found a low mileage '11 in a 3500 van. Looked different (maybe just the cover?). Was anything different in these motors year to year....like some to avoid, or some that need a different, second ECU, injection setups, some that work with a certain head and others that dont, more wiring, etc? Maybe cost in rebuilding?

Sounds like a stupid question I know but the vehicles I've messed with the last 20+ yrs had several issues like that. There were 'sweet spot' years that played nice with any accessory or upgrade you wanted to swap, and then those that were year specific or had known design issues you avoided regardless of mileage.

Thanks fellas.

 

[Bextreme04]

I've also started looking. I've found several low mileage salvage titled vehicles(salvaged for body issues) for around the $2000 range. There are definitely an early year range and late range for the LS truck engines. I believe the AFM changes came in around 2008 or so. These gave variable valve timing and cylinder shutoff to the 5.3 and 6.0 engines after those years. The LQ4 and LQ9 that everyone tends to swap in are pre-AFM and were made between 1999-2007. The post 2007 6.0L has variable cam phasing and AFM. Those later years would also have a 6l80 or 6L90 6-speed auto rather than the 4L80 that sits behind the LQ4 and LQ9

 

[4WDKC]

https://sites.google.com/site/sloppywiki/everything-ls

 

[Doppleganger]

I know I dont want the variable timing......sounds like the 99-07's are the sweet spots I'm looking for.

6 speeds sound nice too but have heard they are big $$ when something goes wrong.

THANKS!

I also wondered if all the later LS motors had 4 bolt mains?

 

[4WDKC]

I know I dont want the variable timing......sounds like the 99-07's are the sweet spots I'm looking for.

6 speeds sound nice too but have heard they are big $$ when something goes wrong.

THANKS!

I also wondered if all the later LS motors had 4 bolt mains?

I believe none are 4 bolt mains, they are all 6 bolt mains.

 

[Bextreme04]

All LS motors have a 4 bolt main(actually kind of a 6 bolt since they have 2 horizontal bolts in each cap as well). The main caps on the LS motors are MUCH stronger than the previous Generations of SBC.

 

[Bextreme04]

I believe none are 4 bolt mains, they are all 6 bolt mains.

I believe they still only call 4 of the bolts "main bolts" and the other two horizontal bolts are just to accurately locate the cap. I agree that it is much simpler to just say they are 6 bolt caps. Or 6 bolt Mains

 

[dvdswan]

99-03 were throttle by cable TBC, 04 and up are throttle by wire TBW. so you will need to get the gas pedal as well for 04 and up.

 

[Doppleganger]

INVALUABLE info. Thanks fellas!

I kind of figured they were at least 4 bolt mains with the torque they all come with. 6 bolt is even better!

 

[Camar068]

as for the truck engines, I think '07 is when they went AFM. Double check before you buy just in case.

 

[ALL-OF-IT]

As far as crankshaft fasteners go. When people ask: "how many bolts per main?" Just tell everyone "Uhhh, I got 30 bolts holding it in place, if that helps."

To keep 'chit simple go with a GenIII, you won't have to worry about DOD/AFM- Can be identified by the Valve Lifter Oil Manifold (VLOM) Valley Covers... High pressure oil pumps (90psi+ kind of high pressure) that came in DOD engines. Small filters in the oil channels. Also Late Intake Valve Closure / Variable Valve Timing (LIVC/VVT) and the other 'chit im fogettin.

Ill drop a link to a RPO list that'll shed light on whats gen 3 or 4. Usually can find the VIN laser etched on the block and/or heads, if the vehicle isn't available to check the VIN

https://www.psiconversion.com/tech/ls_guide/identification.html

 

[ALL-OF-IT]

As far as crankshaft fasteners go. When people ask: "how many bolts per main?" Just tell everyone "Uhhh, I got 30 bolts holding it in place, if that helps."

To keep 'chit simple go with a GenIII, you won't have to worry about DOD/AFM- Can be identified by the Valve Lifter Oil Manifold (VLOM) Valley Covers... High pressure oil pumps (90psi+ kind of high pressure) that came in DOD engines. Small filters in the oil channels. Also Late Intake Valve Closure / Variable Valve Timing (LIVC/VVT) and the other 'chit im fogettin.

Ill drop a link to a RPO list that'll shed light on whats gen 3 or 4. Usually can find the VIN laser etched on the block and/or heads, if the vehicle isn't available to check the VIN

https://www.psiconversion.com/tech/ls_guide/identification.html

 

[Wskirvin]

Also another difference not mentioned already are on the head an intakes, older LS's are cathedral port and the newer models are square port.

 

[WFO]

99-03 were throttle by cable TBC, 04 and up are throttle by wire TBW. so you will need to get the gas pedal as well for 04 and up.

My 03 Z71 is throttle by wire. I wish it wasn't.

 

[dvdswan]

My 03 Z71 is throttle by wire. I wish it wasn't.

Interesting, my 03 engine was cable. It may just be the model. Mine is actually a LM7 from a Tahoe. Actual car engines may be wire.