How do I find the right replacement engine??

[Young Guy]

Our 2007 Tahoe is starting to have engine issues on a regular basis, and I think it’s time to replace the engine.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND:

This Tahoe was actually given to me by a family member and thus has significant sentimental value. We’ve only owned the car for 4 years, but its been driven all over the country and fell in love with it. It has 287K miles, has strong a engine, and has given us very few problems. Lately, I’ve been dealing with more and more issues and I know the older it gets, the more repairs it’ll need.

THE PROBLEM:

I don’t understand the process of buying a used/remanufactured engine.

Questions:

*My biggest question is how do I verify the mileage, or quality of the new engine?

*Where do i buy replacement engine from?




I livein Atlanta if that matters.

Thanks in advance for you help.

 

[Doubeleive]

Our 2007 Tahoe is starting to have engine issues on a regular basis, and I think it’s time to replace the engine.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND:

This Tahoe was actually given to me by a family member and thus has significant sentimental value. We’ve only owned the car for 4 years, but its been driven all over the country and fell in love with it. It has 287K miles, has strong a engine, and has given us very few problems. Lately, I’ve been dealing with more and more issues and I know the older it gets, the more repairs it’ll need.

THE PROBLEM:

I don’t understand the process of buying a used/remanufactured engine.

Questions:

*My biggest question is how do I verify the mileage, or quality of the new engine?

*Where do i buy replacement engine from?




I livein Atlanta if that matters.

Thanks in advance for you help.

A replacement engine "should" come from a matching 8th VIN number vehicle. Doesn't matter what vehicle it comes out of as long as the 8 vin digit matches yours then it is plug n play, lots of them around. If the vehicle it comes out of was wrecked then it's a pretty safe bet that the engine was running when it crashed.
If you get a engine with a different 8th vin then you will need the ECM as well. otherwise you have to pay extra for a tune to make it work with your ECM

 

[Marky Dissod]

Our 2007 Tahoe is starting to have engine issues on a regular basis, and I think it’s time to replace the engine ...

This is actually pretty vague.
What kind of actual engine issues are you having? Describe in more detail, please.

That said, if you're going to replace your engine, why not upgrade?
If it had a 4.8L LY2, step up to a 5.3L LY5 or LMG.
If it had a 5.3L LY5 / LMG, step up to a 6.0L L76 / LY6 ... better yet, a 6.2L L92 / L9H, if you're feelin' froggy.

Unless you're already REALLY good at getting great gas mileage, you'll net roughly the same MpG with a larger engine,
'cause you'll just drive even more sedately.
Obviously this will require a tune, which you will NOT regret (unless the tuner is a schmuckdiotard).

If the replacement engine has V4 mode hardware, it goes without saying, delete that horseschidt, have a real V8.

 

[mikez71]

If buying used, the recycler usually has the mileage from the odometer. No way to fully verify. I would pull valve covers, and look for clean internals. golden yellow good, brown means they didn't change the oil as often as they should. A compression test to make sure valves/rings are sealing well.

Or buy from a rebuilder with warranty. Then the V4 hardware can be deleted for you already.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

You can also purchase a motor directly from GM. It will be more expensive, but it will come with a warranty that no used motor seller can match. And, you don't have to have the motor installed by a GM dealer. If you have a quality local repair shop, there R&R charges will be much less than the GM dealer.

 

[GMCChevy]

If you're buying a used engine from a wrecker their software will tell them what engines are compatible to yours. You'd have to trust them on mileage and condition but to a point you can verify some of that before installing, like how clean it is under the valve covers, use a camera to check the cylinders etc.

 

[Marky Dissod]

If you're buying a used engine from a wrecker their software will tell them what engines are compatible to yours.

Every 4.8L 5.3L 5.7L 6.0L 6.2L or 7.0L has pretty much the same 'footprint' and casts about the same 'shadow'.
Hunt for a good deal on a 6.0L or 6.2L, delete the Engine Half@$$ stuff, stick it in, enjoy.
You're never going to get the best of the bunch from a junkyard,
but it's not hard to clean up a junkyard engine before installing it.

 

[Young Guy]

A replacement engine "should" come from a matching 8th VIN number vehicle. Doesn't matter what vehicle it comes out of as long as the 8 vin digit matches yours then it is plug n play, lots of them around. If the vehicle it comes out of was wrecked then it's a pretty safe bet that the engine was running when it crashed.
If you get a engine with a different 8th vin then you will need the ECM as well. otherwise you have to pay extra for a tune to make it work with your ECM

Super helpful insight!! Thank you!!!

 

[ReaperHWK]

I know you said sentimental but good financial decisions should also be considered. How is the body? How is the trans? I’d lean towards getting a new truck but that’s me. You can fix that motor but in a year from now the trans could go.

2015+ trucks are getting pretty cheap now.

I have a 2006 f150 I bought new with 215k miles now. Once that engine goes it’s going to the junk yard. Has no value at that age.

 

[Young Guy]

This is actually pretty vague.
What kind of actual engine issues are you having? Describe in more detail, please.

That said, if you're going to replace your engine, why not upgrade?
If it had a 4.8L LY2, step up to a 5.3L LY5 or LMG.
If it had a 5.3L LY5 / LMG, step up to a 6.0L L76 / LY6 ... better yet, a 6.2L L92 / L9H, if you're feelin' froggy.

Unless you're already REALLY good at getting great gas mileage, you'll net roughly the same MpG with a larger engine,
'cause you'll just drive even more sedately.
Obviously this will require a tune, which you will NOT regret (unless the tuner is a schmuckdiotard).

If the replacement engine has V4 mode hardware, it goes without saying, delete that horseschidt, have a real V8.

Thank you!! Great information!

 

[Doubeleive]

If you're buying a used engine from a wrecker their software will tell them what engines are compatible to yours. You'd have to trust them on mileage and condition but to a point you can verify some of that before installing, like how clean it is under the valve covers, use a camera to check the cylinders etc.

"there software" is the 8th vin digit, that is all there is too it, that's what they use
any online seller will list the vin digit with there motor offered any worth there salt anyway
for instance vin c, vin z, vin t, vin f, etc
for instance here is 2,300 VIN C (L83) motors listed they can go in a pickup or a suv doesn't matter as long as the vin digit matches

Pardon Our Interruption...

 

[GMCChevy]

"there software" is the 8th vin digit, that is all there is too it, that's what they use
any online seller will list the vin digit with there motor offered any worth there salt anyway
for instance vin c, vin z, vin t, vin f, etc
for instance here is 2,300 VIN C (L83) motors listed they can go in a pickup or a suv doesn't matter as long as the vin digit matches

Pardon Our Interruption...

There's also a year range that's compatible. In this case looking up used engines they only list 2007 and 2008. They used the same 8th digit vin letters beyond compatible years.

 

[swathdiver]

Our 2007 Tahoe is starting to have engine issues on a regular basis, and I think it’s time to replace the engine.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND:

This Tahoe was actually given to me by a family member and thus has significant sentimental value. We’ve only owned the car for 4 years, but its been driven all over the country and fell in love with it. It has 287K miles, has strong a engine, and has given us very few problems. Lately, I’ve been dealing with more and more issues and I know the older it gets, the more repairs it’ll need.

THE PROBLEM:

I don’t understand the process of buying a used/remanufactured engine.

Questions:

*My biggest question is how do I verify the mileage, or quality of the new engine?

*Where do i buy replacement engine from?




I livein Atlanta if that matters.

Thanks in advance for you help.

An engine from a salvage yard like LKQ will provide you with the odometer reading on the vehicle when it came into their possession. This does not necessarily mean that the engine has those miles after all these years. Could be more, could be less.

The salvage yard engine will have a warranty of some kind, read the fine print.

The 5.3 LMG engine was changed slightly in 2010. So if you wanted the same engine that yours came with, look for 2007-2009 engines. You can also run the lighter LC9 engine from 2007-2009 in place of your LMG.

So my question to you is, if it has a strong engine, why does it need to be replaced? How mechanically inclined are you?

 

[Doubeleive]

There's also a year range that's compatible. In this case looking up used engines they only list 2007 and 2008. They used the same 8th digit vin letters beyond compatible years.

the 8th digit is the engine code that was installed at the factory, this code means any matching 8th digit code vehicle engine is a direct swap, no ecm needed.
this does not mean that you could not swap any other engine, it is simply what is used for anyone that just needs another 100% compatible engine and that's all they want.
the 07-08 6.2l (vin 8) is a l92 and the 09-14 6.2l (vin f) is a L94 the vehicles will have a different 8th vin digit, although yes you could slap a l92 into a l94 vehicle (or vica-versa) but the ecm would need to be tuned or the original ecm would be needed. they are not plug n play

and to clarify yes certain year ranges have the same engine code, that has nothing to do with it. a vin 8 is a vin 8 regardless of the year, all you have to worry about is the 8th digit

 

[GMCChevy]

the 8th digit is the engine code that was installed at the factory, this code means any matching 8th digit code vehicle engine is a direct swap, no ecm needed.
this does not mean that you could not swap any other engine, it is simply what is used for anyone that just needs another 100% compatible engine and that's all they want.
the 07-08 6.2l (vin 8) is a l92 and the 09-14 6.2l (vin f) is a L94 the vehicles will have a different 8th vin digit, although yes you could slap a l92 into a l94 vehicle (or vica-versa) but the ecm would need to be tuned or the original ecm would be needed. they are not plug n play

and to clarify yes certain year ranges have the same engine code, that has nothing to do with it. a vin 8 is a vin 8 regardless of the year, all you have to worry about is the 8th digit

Just because the 8th digit and engine code is the same doesn't mean the engines are. The 8th digit for LMG never changed for example yet the engine did. So much so that there are cam profile and power differences as well as variants with and without VVT. You need to get the proper year range of engine if you don't want to deal with compatibility issues. Its why yards and even sellers on ebay list specific year ranges with the engines.
The 8th digit can make all the difference by year. J for 2007-2009 was a 5.3. For 2010 it changed to 6L hybrid. Then it changed again to 6.2L. Without knowing the year you don't know what engine you're dealing with only going by the 8th digit.

 

[Doubeleive]

Just because the 8th digit and engine code is the same doesn't mean the engines are. The 8th digit for LMG never changed for example yet the engine did. So much so that there are cam profile and power differences as well as variants with and without VVT. You need to get the proper year range of engine if you don't want to deal with compatibility issues. Its why yards and even sellers on ebay list specific year ranges with the engines.
The 8th digit can make all the difference by year. J for 2007-2009 was a 5.3. For 2010 it changed to 6L hybrid. Then it changed again to 6.2L. Without knowing the year you don't know what engine you're dealing with only going by the 8th digit.

ok, well your throwing hybrids into the mix, of course there's going to be a difference and it's not a 5.3
if you call a yard and say i'm looking for a vin j 5.3l there not going to give you either one of the examples you gave above.
there are only 26 letters in the alphabet and 0-9 of course there's going to be repeat codes over time
same if you were looking for a vin j 6.2l (that's a l86) that started with the k2's, completely different generation engine, unless your a dumbkoff and just completely ignore what you are ordering then I guess you get what you get, common sense has to kick in at some point
if you were to call and order a motor for a 2000 yukon you could end up with the completely wrong motor
same if you ordered one for a 2007 silverado
or anything else that they changed mid-year or produced both a old style and a new style, for instance a 2019 silverado LD (last design, technically it's a 2018)
of course the year is going to matter but more importantly the engine size
that's why I bought my 2012 because I know I keep my vehicles for a long time and I know the 2012 has one of the widest availability of crossover parts
had I bought a 2007 I knew I would be limited to 2 years of crossover engine/transmission and 3 years on some interior parts
with my 12 I have 5 years engine/transmission and 4 years interior

it was a no brainer for a poor person like me that might not have the money buy a new transmission when it goes out, having a wide range of available used parts is a wise decision

 

[GMCChevy]

ok, well your throwing hybrids into the mix, of course there's going to be a difference and it's not a 5.3
if you call a yard and say i'm looking for a vin j 5.3l there not going to give you either one of the examples you gave above.
there are only 26 letters in the alphabet and 0-9 of course there's going to be repeat codes over time
same if you were looking for a vin j 6.2l (that's a l86) that started with the k2's, completely different generation engine, unless your a dumbkoff and just completely ignore what you are ordering then I guess you get what you get, common sense has to kick in at some point
if you were to call and order a motor for a 2000 yukon you could end up with the completely wrong motor
same if you ordered one for a 2007 silverado
or anything else that they changed mid-year or produced both a old style and a new style, for instance a 2019 silverado LD (last design, technically it's a 2018)
of course the year is going to matter but more importantly the engine size
that's why I bought my 2012 because I know I keep my vehicles for a long time and I know the 2012 has one of the widest availability of crossover parts
had I bought a 2007 I knew I would be limited to 2 years of crossover engine/transmission and 3 years on some interior parts
with my 12 I have 5 years engine/transmission and 4 years interior

it was a no brainer for a poor person like me that might not have the money buy a new transmission when it goes out, having a wide range of available used parts is a wise decision

I just threw that in because you said a vin 8 is a vin 8 regardless of the year, all you have to worry about is the 8th digit.

If you call a yard and say you need a vin whatever engine the first thing they'd ask is what year.
There you go year is important, i think that might be the bigges issue with newer vehicles how certain parts can change so fast.
The price people want for used engines is shocking too when most are at around typical mileage.. its like you're paying good money to buy an engine with similar mileage to the one you're replacing when it has problems... but I guess that becomes a whole different conversation

 

[Marky Dissod]

All this effort to teach how to wind up with the same engine as before.
Too bad we didn't spend more effort teaching him how to upgrade his engine ...

 

[Doubeleive]

All this effort to teach how to wind up with the same engine as before.
Too bad we didn't spend more effort teaching him how to upgrade his engine ...

some of us are poor, I would love to upgrade mine but I don't have a spare $10-15k to drop on a motor build, nor the tools or the garage to do it in
because if I was going to do it I would at least attempt to do it right and that takes money or just buy one already done that would be even sweeter
but empty pockets........ I got lint..... and 5 kids lol

 

[Marky Dissod]

some of us are poor, I would love to upgrade mine but I don't have a spare $10-15k to drop on a motor build ...

Those of US that are poor can still replace a 4.8L with a 5.3L, a 5.3L with a 6.0L ...
yes, a tune is involved, but still an upgrade ...