6.2 swap thread

[ls1frc]

Hey all, doing a 6.2 swap in my 2012 5.3. Picked up a 50k mile L94.

Build plan
Eliminate DOD.
Ordered myself a custom Cam Motion 215/225 .600 .600 115+7 VVT cam
Adding .040 Cometic Gaskets
Likely will mill another .020 off the heads.
Already have 1 7/8" headers

Parts List

Valvetrain
Comp 5460 - Cam Phaser Limiter
BTR BTC-VS-LSHAT-KIT - Valve Seals
Cam Motion Cam - 215/225 .595/.595 115+7 VVT camshaft
PAC 1219 - Valve Springs

Exhaust
Magnaflow 52616 - 3.5" Mandrel Catted Y
Magnaflow 15111 - 3.5" Catback with resonator


Miscellaneous
Mr Gasket 3149G - .040 Head Gaskets
Mr Gasket 61015G - Timing Cover Gasket Set
Mr Gasket 61071G - Rear Main Seal
Mr Gasket 61032G - Rear Cover Gasket
Mr Gasket MRG-LSTC1 - Front seal installation tool
Mr Gasket LSRC1 - Rear seal installation tool

 

[ls1frc]

Today I began tearing down the engine. Still need to buy an engine stand and a hoist, but for now I just tore it down ontop of the crate it came on. I removed the topend as well as the wiring harness.

It came with an engine block heater, so I need to figure out what to do with that.

I also spun the engine over by hand and it seemed scratchier than other LS motors ive spun over when I pulled the heads, but all of those were inside the vehicle which may have hid some of the noise IDK.

I took a quick video after doing some initial cleaning/lubrication of the cyl walls

 

[01FormulaTA]

lookin good! it should be a strong runner with that cam...keep us updated

 

[ls1frc]

Today removed the flexplate. Engine now spins over silently. False alarm on the scratching noise.

Ordered new front and rear cover gaskets, rear/front cover alignment tools, and .040" mr gasket head gaskets.

On the fence about what I want to do about lifters. I have morel 6504 lifters in the 5.3 I was going to reuse, but I have the annoying clacking in the cabin at 1500-2500 rpms.

Was considering Johnson 2110. Had great success on my G8 with the johnson 2116. I may not have a choice anyway because the'yre out of stock everywhere. I wanna get this engine in the truck within a couple weeks.

 

[Dantheman1540]

If you don't mind me asking where did you find it and what did you pay for one with such low miles?

 

[ls1frc]

If you don't mind me asking where did you find it and what did you pay for one with such low miles?

car-part.com, searched 2012 escalade and equivalent models

I would sort by mileage. If I found something with a ballpark price, I'd search their reviews on google. MANY places have 1 star. Many places have surprise core charges. But I found one that was priced at around $3500 from Montana and the place had very good reviews. I called them up and the guy sounded very trustworthy. This particular engine had a core charge of $750 which the guy waived. I ended up getting it for $3600 total with liftgate freight right into my garage.

https://www.hansers.com/

 

[Dantheman1540]

car-part.com, searched 2012 escalade and equivalent models

I would sort by mileage. If I found something with a ballpark price, I'd search their reviews on google. MANY places have 1 star. Many places have surprise core charges. But I found one that was priced at around $3500 from Montana and the place had very good reviews. I called them up and the guy sounded very trustworthy. This particular engine had a core charge of $750 which the guy waived. I ended up getting it for $3600 total with liftgate freight right into my garage.

https://www.hansers.com/

Thats a nice deal! Should be a sweet motor with that cam.

 

[ls1frc]

Thinking about ditching headers/catback and getting a stock 6.2 system. It's not hard to find the mufflers, but finding the catted Y is proving difficult.

 

[swathdiver]

Thinking about ditching headers/catback and getting a stock 6.2 system. It's not hard to find the mufflers, but finding the catted Y is proving difficult.

Magnaflow 52616 for Federal Emissions.

Have you already swapped out the rear axle to a semi-floating 14-bolt or installed a Tru-Trac?

 

[avalonandl]

I think the factory Y pipe for the 6.2 is decent.

 

[ls1frc]

Magnaflow 52616 for Federal Emissions.

Have you already swapped out the rear axle to a semi-floating 14-bolt or installed a Tru-Trac?

Ok I'll check it out. The header ticking ruins the vehicle for me. Definitely adds power, but it's a part throttle type vehicle. I don't want to go WOT all the time to enjoy it. I've owned a few LS cars and don't recall ever hearing the headers this much in the cabin. I think it's because the Y pipe connection is right by the firewall instead of further back if it were a car. Its fairly quiet outside, but you really hear it when the windows are up and A/C is low/off.

 

[ls1frc]

Thinking Magnaflow 52616 into Magnaflow 15111. I'd rather get the SS magnaflow than get a rusted out stock exhaust for $300-$400.

 

[swathdiver]

Ok I'll check it out. The header ticking ruins the vehicle for me. Definitely adds power, but it's a part throttle type vehicle. I don't want to go WOT all the time to enjoy it. I've owned a few LS cars and don't recall ever hearing the headers this much in the cabin. I think it's because the Y pipe connection is right by the firewall instead of further back if it were a car. Its fairly quiet outside, but you really hear it when the windows are up and A/C is low/off.

Yep, I replaced my original Y-pipe a few years ago with the Magnaflow, flows better and not any noisier than stock. You can add more sound deadening or run shorties but that the thing with long tubes, they add more power only at WOT for a street motor.

 

[ls1frc]

Yep, I replaced my original Y-pipe a few years ago with the Magnaflow, flows better and not any noisier than stock. You can add more sound deadening or run shorties but that the thing with long tubes, they add more power only at WOT for a street motor.

Yeah I'm done with them. They've always been a nuisance on every vehicle I have owned. I have to idle for long periods of time while dropping off/picking up my son and it's a bit embarrassing the noise + the smell. High flow cats clean up the smell ok but it's not like factory.

 

[swathdiver]

Yeah I'm done with them. They've always been a nuisance on every vehicle I have owned. I have to idle for long periods of time while dropping off/picking up my son and it's a bit embarrassing the noise + the smell. High flow cats clean up the smell ok but it's not like factory.

That too! I had forgotten how smelly our cars can be without cats until one of the member's here brought his SSV over to the house a few months ago and he has long tubes on it. Phew! Glad I kept the Y with cats! Muffles the noise and mine makes 307 hp at the wheels. And if you have ethanol stations nearby and can use it, it'll smell even better, like fries!

 

[ls1frc]

That too! I had forgotten how smelly our cars can be without cats until one of the member's here brought his SSV over to the house a few months ago and he has long tubes on it. Phew! Glad I kept the Y with cats! Muffles the noise and mine makes 307 hp at the wheels. And if you have ethanol stations nearby and can use it, it'll smell even better, like fries!

Ha, mine are catted but I've had catless headers before and it will stick to your clothes all day.

High flow catted cleans up most of the smell but you still get a whiff.

 

[ls1frc]

Updated OP with parts list

 

[iamdub]

+1 for cats if you don't mind having them. Catless is LOUD.

 

[ls1frc]

+1 for cats if you don't mind having them. Catless is LOUD.

Catless is the worst. People who say they can't smell it have an issue with their nose.

Ordered the magnaflow y-pipe and the magnaflow catback with resonator. I am ditching the headers + corsa setup. The power gains from the 6.2, bigger cam + vvt should make me not miss my headers.

 

[mikeyss]

With your cam, I think you may miss your headers, unless you plan to run a turbo in the future. I have run long tube headers on many vehicles, and you don't have to be WOT to feel the difference in the power they make across the entire RPM range. I ran cheap long tubes on an old 99 F150 5.4 and it was crazy the amount of power long tubes made, and I never got it tuned. I am about to add a cam similar to yours in my L9H, and run 1 7/8" ARH long tubes to my stock cat back