THIS IS EASY.....look at the flexplate (i cant see it clearly, but i know its on there from the pics) If it is a 4l60/65E flexplate, its a LQ9. LQ9 motors only came in 1/2 ton chassis applications (escalade, GMC Denali AWD trucks, etc). If it is a 4l80E flexplate (flat with the detachable steel spacer between flexplate and crank, and longer flexplate bolts, that means it came out of a 2500/3500 chassis truck, Van or Hummer, which definetly makes it a LQ4. This, of course, is correct as long as the flexplate on the motor is the original flexplate! BUT.......ya could always check a piston if all of the above fails! Any signs that the motor had the full plastic cover (valvecover to valvecover 3-piece cover, such as the "MAX" cover or the cadillac cover" can tip u off as to the motors origins. The oil filler cap will have a short, 1" - 11/2" plastic spacer tube between the cap and the valvecover, so it sits at the correct heigth with the LQ9 escalade engine cover. If it has the taller 3-4" plastic angled riser, it most likely is a LQ4, and didn't have a escalade or "maX" SS engine cover. BUT....you cold always take a peek at a piston if all else fails
Looks like possibly an 04 model vehical and probally an LQ9 since thats the same style fly wheel used behind a 4L65E pull out the spark plugs and look for a piston that's close to TDC you will either see a slight dish or completely flat across.
Just checking... I dont have a list of casting numbers in front of me but after searching your casting number, 12551364, it looks like that block is a 6.0L casting used roughly from 99-04 applications. Being that it was cast in September, I would figure by the time it was assembled and installed in a vehical it was most likely an 04 model Vehical.
now you need to figure out if its an lq9 or lq4. the escalade had the lq9. look on the back of the manifold to see if there is a plug where the brake booster hose would go. if there is a plug it will be an lq4.
Thats not the case some LQ9s had hydroboost as well.
The TBSS is an LS2 with a 90mm TB truck intake.
__________________ '73 Scout II 4x4 Vortec 5.3 4L65E np241
'01 VW Beetle TDI-50mpg or better!
'56 Belair 4 door hardtop*next LSx project* 5.3/4l60/3.08's (looking for 25+mpg!)
Guys,
In 2003 the LQ4's were updated with better rods and coated piston skirts which helped to minimize the piston slap. Also, if it was manufactured in Sep 03 wouldn't it had to be installed in atleast an 04 model?
FYI: 99-06 Trucks, Vans & SUV
4.3L, VIN X or W(03+) (8th digit)
6.0L, VIN U (8th digit), (LQ4) Trucks, Vans and Denali
6.0L, VIN N (8th digit) (LQ9) Escalades & SS Silverado
4.8L, VIN V (8th digit)
5.3L, VIN T (8th digit, opt LM7)
5.3L, VIN Z (8th digit, opt L59)
5.3L, VIN B (8th digit, opt L33 05+ HO aluminum and iron block with 243/799 heads)
FYI: 07+ Trucks
classic style (crease in center of door skin), 6.0L, VIN U (8th digit, opt LQ4), CNG: natural gas and gasoline
new style (smooth door skin), 5.3L, VIN 0, 8th digit, opt LMG
new style (smooth door skin), 5.3L, VIN J, 8th digit, opt LY5
classic style (crease in center of door skin), 6.0L, VIN N (8th digit, opt LQ9))
new style (smooth door skin), 5.3L, VIN 3, 8th digit, opt LC9
new style (smooth door skin), 5.3L, VIN M,8th digit, opt LH6
new style (smooth door skin), 6.0L (VIN Y, 8th digit, opt L76)
classic style (crease in center of door skin), 4.3L (VIN X, 8th digit, opt LU3)
new style (smooth door skin), 4.3L (VIN X, 8th digit, opt LU3)
new style (smooth door skin), 4.8L (VIN C, 8th digit, opt LY2)
classic style (crease in center of door skin), 6.0L, VIN U (8th digit, opt LQ4)
classic style (crease in center of door skin), 4.8L (VIN V, 8th digit, opt LR4)
classic style (crease in center of door skin), 5.3L, VIN T (8th digit, opt LM7)
classic style (crease in center of door skin), 5.3L, VIN Z (8th digit, opt L59)
classic style (crease in center of door skin), 5.3L, VIN B (8th digit, opt L33)
Why don't you just look at the VIN Derivative stamped in the block and then ask someone to look it up?
06 Escalade would be
66Rxxxxxx
Quote:
The vehicle identification number (VIN) is located on the left side rear of the engine block (1) and is typically a 9 digit number stamped or laser-etched onto the engine at the vehicle assembly plant.
• The first digit identifies the division.
• The second digit identifies the model year.
• The third digit identifies the assembly plant.
• The fourth through ninth digits are the last 6 digits of the VIN.
__________________ The answer man
GM World Class Technician
ASE Master Certified since 1988
L1 ASE Certified
Last edited by CalEditor; 05-08-2009 at 08:06 PM..
I'm still confused on this one.. I will pull a spark plug tomorrow to look at the piston, but perhaps someone can shed some light on this for me.
Plus, I have pictures of two different motors that might help someone else in the future.
1.) 99/00 LQ4 motor. Notice the cable driven throttle body.
It has Iron Heads (though I don't see an actual casting number printed anywhere.. they are clearly iron heads).
Here's the back of the intake manifold for the port that is plugged on this one.
Here's the back of the crank.. note the big flange.. which is what prevents you from hooking this up to a T56... which is why I bought a new motor.
2.) LQ4 or LQ9.... I'm not sure???!?!?
It has an electronic actuated throttle body.
It has aluminum 317 stamped heads.
It has an open tube on the back of the intake manifold.
No big flange on the end of the crank.
All this talk about codes stamped on the blocks... I'm at a loss on this topic. The newer motor seems to have a K#00 on the front above the water pump. But the old motor also has something ending in 00. So that doesn't help me. The laser etch on the back is 12559287.
It's missing the oil filler neck.
I'm confused... Clearly it's a 01 or newer LQ4 or LQ9 motor because it's got 317 aluminum heads, the right crank flange, etc... But is it an LQ9... it's got the open tube on the intake manifold? Can anyone help me???
Any chance you could get a picture of the date code on the front??? also the casting number on back??? I have never seen laser etched numbers on the back of the block. Only casting numbers wich are cast in. Unfortunitally, I was not able to find any thing based on the number you provided.
The VIN is laser etched on the heads and should tell you everything you need to know. (There are numerous VIN decoders on the Web) Also, the '06 LQ4/9's have aluminum (317) heads and the hydro-boost style vacuum ports on the rear of the intake don't mean much, the primary difference is in the pistons.
Good luck.
__________________ WTF-J
LQ9/4L65e/ETC/Atlas 2-Sp/D60s w/ARBs F&R/Bobbed Alu CJ8 w/TJ Airock susp. It rocks now that it rolls!
The motor pictures here is a 2002 LQ9. It's the same as what I got. Note the corvette style electronic TB. 2002 was the only year to get this style TB on the 6.0. It's also got EGR which went up to 2002.
Something I picked up that very few people seem to know. Thought I would try and help out and share that Information. There is so much false information on this just this site alone...
The VIN is laser etched on the heads and should tell you everything you need to know. (There are numerous VIN decoders on the Web) Also, the '06 LQ4/9's have aluminum (317) heads and the hydro-boost style vacuum ports on the rear of the intake don't mean much, the primary difference is in the pistons.
Good luck.
Can anyone tell me where this VIN info is on the head? I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to see if my 6.0 is an LQ4 or LQ9.
Can anyone tell me where this VIN info is on the head? I know this is an old thread, but I wanted to see if my 6.0 is an LQ4 or LQ9.
physically check top of piston by removing spark plug and verifying if piston has dish or smooth top.
i use old popsicle sticks, since there flat and thin
