L92 in 07 Denali is toast is L92 only option

[Tahoe_Denali]

As title indicates my '07 Denali engine is done. If I had not just rebuilt the transmission I would junk it. But..... The 07 has the L92 in it. My question is what other 6.2 variants could I use?

 

[B-train]

I would stick with that one. The newer ones had AFM components and I'm not sure if they are back compatible as far as wiring harness goes, etc.

 

[Marky Dissod]

As title indicates my '07 Denali engine is done. If I had not just rebuilt the transmission I would junk it. But ...
The 07 has the L92 in it.
My question is what other 6.2L variants could I use?

The L92 code in your ecm would operate an L9H like an L92, but with no E85 ability
until you updated your ecm ... or your engine operating segment? ... not sure which.
So, to you, an L9H would be an L92, until you updated either your ecm or its tune.

Since you used the words 'would junk it', however, feel free to consider
ANY of the following 6.0L engines - ('would junk it' meaning 'would not sell it', right?)
L96, L98, LC8, or LY6.
Why would your heart be set on replacing a 6.2L V8 in a vehicle you considered junking?

 

[Tahoe_Denali]

The L92 code in your ecm would operate an L9H like an L92, but with no E85 ability
until you updated your ecm ... or your engine operating segment? ... not sure which.
So, to you, an L9H would be an L92, until you updated either your ecm or its tune.

Since you used the words 'would junk it', however, feel free to consider
ANY of the following 6.0L engines - ('would junk it' meaning 'would not sell it', right?)
L96, L98, LC8, or LY6.
Why would your heart be set on replacing a 6.2L V8 in a vehicle you considered junking?

Marky, answering your questions.

Having just put $5.6K in to a tranny I was hoping for another 185K given I recently (7k ago) did the tranny.

I said "Junk it" in the context of, if I had not just done the transmission, it would have been coming due for replacement and ethically I would not have felt right about selling it to someone who wants to rebuild the engine hoping to have a reliable truck. Junking in that scenario existed would have been selling it to a pick-n-pull or similar part salvage yard

I could still go that route but now I would pull the tranny first. And look for a similar truck at the 185k transmission interval and swap mine into it.

My truck has 310k on it and was running great until today when a heater core hose went, the temp shot up and after I pulled over, short circuited the heater core, filled with water and went to start it was clear something bigger had gone wrong and then it seized.

I am looking at options, which is why I asked the engine question. What would be the advantage in putting a 6.0 instead of another 6.2? Given California Smog laws would I not be inviting problems?

 

[Marky Dissod]

California smog laws prevent you from installing a SMALLER, MORE fuel-economical engine?
Admittedly I'm a NuYawriqueño, so I can't answer your query definitively,
but it's confusing that your question exists at all - I blame CA, not you, to be clear.

 

[Tahoe_Denali]

California law says you can not install a older engine than year of vehicle manufactured. Yes, even if more efficient..... It's California after all....

 

[West 1]

Since the block is pretty much identical from the 4.8 to the 6.2 if you kept your exhaust, intake all factory computer and modules etc on the top of the engine I think you would be fine. The smog test shops do not check the engine Vin to see what belongs in there.

They will plug into your OBD2 port and it will read the cars computer. That will tell them your Vin and if you have check engine codes and even the last modification to the computer flash that was done. All of those will remain unchanged.

The 6.2 is an aluminum block, as mentioned the 2007 does not have AFM or variable timing so I would think most any 4.8 thru 6.0 from 2001-2006 would bolt right in and fake the Smog test. The computer will adjust for the tune. The only complication I see is the knock sensors which are under the intake manifold on the early trucks and under the exhaust manifolds on the later trucks which would cause a wire issue. I can't think of cam and crank sensor locations maybe others can chip in on all the wire connection changes.

I really like the 6.2L in my 2008, great running engine with power up the ***** but a 4.8 or 5.3 would probably get a bit more MPG every day.

I see these rigs for sale from time to time at low prices due to a bad transmission. Maybe buy one with 150K that needs a tranny, install yours and call it a day?

 

[donjetman]

@West 1 , The 07 L92 DOES have VVT.

rebuild the engine

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I'm sorry to read that your L92 is blown. It is a marvelous motor, nice and clean before all the AFM crap was installed. It may be a challenge to find another one out there, as it is a favorite of racing enthusiasts, who scoop them up whenever they can find them, due to their simplicity. You've been given some good information of potential engine replacements, or even keeping the transmission and finding another truck to drop it into.

I have to ask you if you put water into the motor while was was still hot.

 

[Tahoe_Denali]

I'm sorry to read that your L92 is blown. It is a marvelous motor, nice and clean before all the AFM crap was installed. It may be a challenge to find another one out there, as it is a favorite of racing enthusiasts, who scoop them up whenever they can find them, due to their simplicity. You've been given some good information of potential engine replacements, or even keeping the transmission and finding another truck to drop it into.

I have to ask you if you put water into the motor while was was still hot.

Joseph, I will admit my responsibility to the engines outcome: I should have let it completely cool before adding any water.

 

[SpareParts]

Here's my thinking, not that it means much.
If the truck is in good shape other than the engine and you put a rebuilt trans is it already, if it were mine, i would fix the engine.
I then would have a truck that i know for sure will last me a long long time barring anything unforeseeable.
You can find a wrecking yard L92 for around $2500 with a guarantee. That's what i did. I'm now looking for a 6l80E to have if my current one dies.
I can do all the work my self, so labor is free.
I would think you could dump 10K into it and end up with a good truck you can trust VS an unknown used one.
Essentially, I'm doing that with my 07 Yukon L92. Problem is a keep getting sidetracked with doing other things to it.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Joseph, I will admit my responsibility to the engines outcome: I should have let it completely cool before adding any water.

OK. Good to know, and better that you have learned something VERY important, and never to repeat in the future. Given that, a complete teardown of the motor would be required to see if there was any damage (temperature quenching-related stress cracks) to the block and heads themselves.

 

[petethepug]

The solution, temp or permanent, is a 07-14 L96 6.0L motor from a 2500 or 3500 truck. They do not have AFM. Alum heads, iron block, runs on reg gas and closer to 2014 they also run e85.

It’s a drop in engine that needs no mods. Add a cam before the install and you’ll have the same 400hp the L92 did.

 

[Geotrash]

These trucks are the closest thing to 'heirloom quality' you can get in a vehicle built in the last 20 years. I'm with Michael: get your hands on a low mileage L96 and drive it for another 310K miles. I have 251K on my '07 now and can easily see myself driving it well into retirement, 10 years from now.

 

[B-train]

Since the block is pretty much identical from the 4.8 to the 6.2 if you kept your exhaust, intake all factory computer and modules etc on the top of the engine I think you would be fine. The smog test shops do not check the engine Vin to see what belongs in there.

They will plug into your OBD2 port and it will read the cars computer. That will tell them your Vin and if you have check engine codes and even the last modification to the computer flash that was done. All of those will remain unchanged.

The 6.2 is an aluminum block, as mentioned the 2007 does not have AFM or variable timing so I would think most any 4.8 thru 6.0 from 2001-2006 would bolt right in and fake the Smog test. The computer will adjust for the tune. The only complication I see is the knock sensors which are under the intake manifold on the early trucks and under the exhaust manifolds on the later trucks which would cause a wire issue. I can't think of cam and crank sensor locations maybe others can chip in on all the wire connection changes.

I really like the 6.2L in my 2008, great running engine with power up the ***** but a 4.8 or 5.3 would probably get a bit more MPG every day.

I see these rigs for sale from time to time at low prices due to a bad transmission. Maybe buy one with 150K that needs a tranny, install yours and call it a day?

You'd need to find a 4.8L or 6.0L from 2007 or newer because of the VVT and other changes made from the 99-06 years.

 

[West 1]

The 2007 blocks would have AFM as far as I know?

EDIT: sorry I was referring to the 4.8 or 5.3 blocks not the 6.2. I currently have a 6.2L so I do know they don’t have AFM. Should have been clear on that.

 

[B-train]

The 2007 blocks would have AFM as far as I know?

They probably all have the oil galleys for it, but the ones without AFM just use the valley plate with the o-rings to seal them off.

 

[donjetman]

Definitive guide to LS engines:
https://www.onallcylinders.com/2019...de-to-ls-engine-specs-and-ls-engine-upgrades/

 

[Geotrash]

The 2007 blocks would have AFM as far as I know?

No AFM in the 2007-2009 6.2’s. Some of the first few produced for the 2007 model year had the hardware but it was turned off in the tune. If you have a flat valley cover, there is no AFM hardware in it.

 

[Charlie207]

My 2008 LY6 project engine had the drilled AFM towers, but no AFM system. The valley cover seals blocked off the oil flow, as others have mentioned. I hammered in the steel inserts to completely block the flow, so that the seals wouldn't eventually fail.