Help me prepare for my motor swap.

[tRidiot]

Motor is supposed to be shipped today, I am swapping from a 5.3L (L59) to a 6.0L (LQ9).

What parts am I going to need to be prepared? I think I want to replace my air conditioning stuff, too, while I'm at it. Compressor and such, since I'm going to be keeping this vehicle for another 100-200k miles or more. So help me pick out and pick up the parts I need to get this swap done.

The motor is a "long block" which should include the oil pump, has oil pan and timing chain cover, valve covers, etc. I'll reuse my old intake. I am told I should replace "all the sensors" - supposedly there are kits out there for this, but I don't know how to find them.

Going to RockAuto and looking up the sensors and wiring/connectors for them, it adds up to nearly $300 worth of stuff.
Knock sensors and harness/connectors
Camshaft position sensor (and connector)
Crankshaft position sensor (and connector)
Temperature sender/sensor (and connector)
Oil pressure sensor


All that stuff together comes out to $282 or so (all AC Delco parts when I could). Now, I used the Chevy 2500HD with the 6.0L motor to look these up, not my 5.3L - is that right? Or how do I make sure these are the right parts? Are they the same for the 5.3 and the 6.0? My computer has been reprogrammed, I sent it out to the builder and he put a stock Escalade tune on it to go with this motor. I've already done an electric fan swap on my Tahoe before all this, so I am hoping this will just plug and play.


New water pump, probably? There's an AC Delco Gold/Professional for $83 or so, and the AC Delco GM Original Equipment version for $147. Is the OE really better than the "Gold/Professional" version?


For the A/C I was thinking of THIS KIT - complete kit with compressor, condenser, new o-rings and such, as well as drier and orifice tube. Flush the tubing, hook everything up and it should be good, right? Of course, pulling vacuum, letting it sit, retesting, etc, all before adding refrigerant. I used my 5.3L to look up these parts, again, not sure if there's any difference. There is no option (on RockAuto) for AC Delco parts for this. It's about $240.


I'm sure I'm forgetting some things...

 

[1BADI5]

Offset box wrenches to get those torque converter bolts on the flywheel

 

[fasteddy]

That's a lot of A/C stuff.

Don't forget Sparkplugs! I don't know how your wires are.
Maybe a new serpentine belt.
Oil
Oil filter.

 

[tRidiot]

Yes I will be doing new plugs and wires. And I think my belt is ok, but it is only a couple years old and is a special belt - with triple alts I had to get a super long one.

 

[OR VietVet]

Get the work area ready. Get the tires and wheels off and get closer to the ground but still leave enough room for you and others underneath. Get all fluids drained out and the work area dried up after. Get a work bench area cleaned up and straightened so you can lay parts that will be unbolted and reused and place to lay all reusable bolts and nuts. Plus lots more you will forget.

 

[iamdub]

Motor is supposed to be shipped today, I am swapping from a 5.3L (L59) to a 6.0L (LQ9).

What parts am I going to need to be prepared? I think I want to replace my air conditioning stuff, too, while I'm at it. Compressor and such, since I'm going to be keeping this vehicle for another 100-200k miles or more. So help me pick out and pick up the parts I need to get this swap done.

The motor is a "long block" which should include the oil pump, has oil pan and timing chain cover, valve covers, etc. I'll reuse my old intake. I am told I should replace "all the sensors" - supposedly there are kits out there for this, but I don't know how to find them.

Going to RockAuto and looking up the sensors and wiring/connectors for them, it adds up to nearly $300 worth of stuff.
Knock sensors and harness/connectors
Camshaft position sensor (and connector)
Crankshaft position sensor (and connector)
Temperature sender/sensor (and connector)
Oil pressure sensor


All that stuff together comes out to $282 or so (all AC Delco parts when I could). Now, I used the Chevy 2500HD with the 6.0L motor to look these up, not my 5.3L - is that right? Or how do I make sure these are the right parts? Are they the same for the 5.3 and the 6.0? My computer has been reprogrammed, I sent it out to the builder and he put a stock Escalade tune on it to go with this motor. I've already done an electric fan swap on my Tahoe before all this, so I am hoping this will just plug and play.


New water pump, probably? There's an AC Delco Gold/Professional for $83 or so, and the AC Delco GM Original Equipment version for $147. Is the OE really better than the "Gold/Professional" version?


For the A/C I was thinking of THIS KIT - complete kit with compressor, condenser, new o-rings and such, as well as drier and orifice tube. Flush the tubing, hook everything up and it should be good, right? Of course, pulling vacuum, letting it sit, retesting, etc, all before adding refrigerant. I used my 5.3L to look up these parts, again, not sure if there's any difference. There is no option (on RockAuto) for AC Delco parts for this. It's about $240.


I'm sure I'm forgetting some things...

LQ9- nice! You do know that the LQ9 requires 91 octane or higher, right?

Good job on having an Escalade tune and electric fans already done.

IIRC, there were a couple different options (maybe just two) for the A/C compressor. So, be sure you get whatever's compatible with whatever you get. Really, you could get whatever is stock replacement for your L59 as it'll all bolt up and operate as normal on your LQ9.

Using your LC9 intake manifold would mean you'd have the FlexFuel injectors, so you have more than enough volume to feed the LQ9 even if you were to mod it later.

The only sensors to really be concerned with are those that are difficult to access later. Unfortunately, this is most of them. The coolant temp, MAF and and MAP sensors are the only ones easily accessed later should one fail. All others should be replaced, and with ACDelco or Delphi. Don't forget the knock sensor harness and use a little silicone under the flaps to seal them to the valley pan.

I don't believe there are any differences between the L59 or LQ9 in the sensors or the wire harness.

After myself and at least one other very recent story just on this forum of aftermarket water pumps failing in short order, I'd strongly advise you get an OE water pump. "Professional" is supposed to be "good" aftermarket, but it's still aftermarket. How often do you hear of OE pumps failing short of 200K miles? If you have to replace that Gold/Professional pump within a few years, you'd have $160+ invested into the water pump, not to mention replacing the coolant, the hassle and the risk of the cheaper pump failing at an inconvenient time. That $147 should be a "one and done" investment.

About all I can input on the A/C is that you could be downgrading with those components. Really, if your A/C is working fine now, I'd say to just reattach it to the new motor and let it ride. It's not like it'll be any easier or harder to service with it installed and in service. But, if you insist, I'd recommend that you at least not cheap out on the heart- the compressor. I have a soft spot for the Denso option as far as a factory compressor goes.

 

[tRidiot]

Ok, point taken... best water pump I can get. We have a lift to do the job, so we'll be up and down between motor and trans, but it should be ok.


So I've heard there is a kit or package that includes these sensors and/or harnesses and connectors, but I can't find anything like that. I picked out the parts I could find on RockAuto, like I said above, this came out to about $300 - is there somewhere else I should be getting them that is more economical, or can someone point me to the replacement 'kit' somewhere? I tried looking on Summit and can't find anything like this, but I don't really know what to search for.

Should I get a motor mount kit and do those too, while I'm at it? The ones a RockAuto have 2 motor mounts and a transmission mount. I can't see that it would hurt to do this, they shouldn't be too hard to change if the motor and trans are out

 

[OR VietVet]

Yes, do the mounts while you are apart.

 

[Greg Kulbick]

Don't forget to take the old one out.

 

[tRidiot]

Can anyone point me out a better place than RockAuto to get my parts? As @fasteddy told me the other night, on a motor swap you get "hundred dollared to death" - every time I turn around, it's another C-note for something or other. If I can save a couple, it'll help a lot.

 

[OR VietVet]

Using the discount codes at RA, along with their great prices is great but there will be a time when you need a part asap and have to do the "hundred dollar to death" walk, whether you like it or not. That is why this thread is great because now you have others helping you prepare for this swap. IMO, the tune parts, all fresh gaskets and seals, mounts, hoses, belts, clamps, filters, fluids, available harnesses and wear items all should be swapped out.

 

[iamdub]

Ok, point taken... best water pump I can get. We have a lift to do the job, so we'll be up and down between motor and trans, but it should be ok.


So I've heard there is a kit or package that includes these sensors and/or harnesses and connectors, but I can't find anything like that. I picked out the parts I could find on RockAuto, like I said above, this came out to about $300 - is there somewhere else I should be getting them that is more economical, or can someone point me to the replacement 'kit' somewhere? I tried looking on Summit and can't find anything like this, but I don't really know what to search for.

Should I get a motor mount kit and do those too, while I'm at it? The ones a RockAuto have 2 motor mounts and a transmission mount. I can't see that it would hurt to do this, they shouldn't be too hard to change if the motor and trans are out

I did my engine job on a lift 100% by myself and everything rode it up and down every time with no problems. A/C compressor and power steering pump on the accessory bracket were both tied to the sides with mechanic's wire. I also found the new balancing point of mine with the engine out so it'd be that much safer on the lift.

I'd just source the parts individually. I can't say I've ever seen a "kit" for all the sensors and harnesses. Usually, kits are put together with cheaper aftermarket components. You're paying for the convenience of ordering everything in one click, but buying bigger chances of unexpected failures that'll likely cost you more than just getting the good stuff the first time around. The time you spend searching for a "kit" probably takes longer than just ordering the parts separately. I get a list of parts I want and search each part number. I get the part's price, including shipping and either back out of that site or save it in a cart, notate on my list where I want it from then repeat for the next part. If that next part is from the same place as a previous part, I add it to the cart and see if the shipping changes. Sometimes a part is just cheap enough to source it exclusively from one place. You don't need very much- just, like, 5 to 7 sensors. The only harness you need is the knock sensor harness.

Definitely replace the mounts while you have it out. With the engine out, their bolts on the engine block are as accessible as lug nuts. It's not a kit, just order two of the same part number for the engine mounts. The same applies here- aim for OEM. Avoid the cheaper parts store brands such as Duralast and Anchor. The transmission mount is certainly cheap enough and should be replaced as well to ensure your entire drivetrain is secured and aligned as intended from the factory.

 

[fasteddy]

I would and will use OEM gm motor mounts.
I've cheaped out on these before and regretted it.

On the sensor parts I've used dorman and ACDelco.....never really had an issue.
ACdelco in past few years has gotten kinda expensive and I swear with everything coming from China it all looks the same.
Same part, just a different brand.

These guys have pretty good prices.
https://www.gmpartsoutlet.net/oem-parts/gm-motor-mount-25828247
61.04 per

The same Genuine GM Part,motor mount, at Rock Auto is
77.79

That's a 27% price difference....big spread. Great businesses have been made on a 27% margin.

I've found summit has good prices too.

Just gotta make a list and shop around.

 

[fasteddy]

Last time I did this dorman made a kit with cam, crank, temp and oil pressure sensors in it.
I have yet to find that kit again, but still looking.

 

[tRidiot]

Yeah, that would be nice.

 

[Fred34]

Get the work area ready. Get the tires and wheels off and get closer to the ground but still leave enough room for you and others underneath. Get all fluids drained out and the work area dried up after. Get a work bench area cleaned up and straightened so you can lay parts that will be unbolted and reused and place to lay all reusable bolts and nuts. Plus lots more you will forget.

One thing that I always used to do while I worked in the HVAC field working on huge centrifugal chillers was to put all your screws, nuts, bolts, etc, into separate zip lock bags as you take them off, and LABLE THEM as to exactly what they are so that you can reassemble it a LOT easier. LABLE them as YOU think the part is, to make it easier on you. Same goes for hoses, and other parts as well, just use larger bags. Good luck !!!

 

[tRidiot]

I have an intake gasket kit in my cart, with intake manifold gaskets and a separate valley pan gasket (both Fel-Pro)... do I need any other gasket kits? Besides the water pump gaskets, which come with the pump.

 

[fasteddy]

Can you see this?
Amazon List of 6.0 sensor parts.
$180

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/dl/invite/6oQpRGT?ref_=wl_share

 

[fasteddy]

And you need this.....to crank up the power!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/3338997704...uijWSaeJVMQiClLfO4uBoi2kubP4pYnQaAnkSEALw_wcB

 

[OR VietVet]

Can you see this?
Amazon List of 6.0 sensor parts.
$180

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/dl/invite/6oQpRGT?ref_=wl_share

Great idea but use AC Delco or GM parts for replacement. Dorman is junk.