Conversions & Hybrids - Experiences with LKQ Autorecyclers?

I am thinking about buying a 5.3 from LKQ Autorecyclers and I am looking for any positive or negative feedback people from this board have had.

TIA for the input.

John

I am thinking about buying a 5.3 from LKQ Autorecyclers and I am looking for any positive or negative feedback people from this board have had.

TIA for the input.

John

Ive purchased 2 engines and 1 transmission. Have had no issues.

I purchased a 2005 LQ4 motor with 80K from them. I have put about 8 miles with no problems. I replaced oil pump and installed a new ls2 timing chain.

We use them at work a lot and they always seem to stand behind their products but if you get the chance to get the warranty that is parts and labor it is usually worth it.

i bought a lq9 no problems so far.

If you are putting a truck motor in a car I don't think they will warranty the engine if something goes wrong. I would ask if this is the case.

I've bought motors from them and had good luck.

They will negotiate on price usually. Get a price on a complete take out or they will nickle and dime you to death

They also will ship from other their other yards at no charge, at least they did for me

Phil

I worked for LKQ in Illinois for a couple years, get the warranty, parts and labor if they offer it. The motors are run tested for a few minutes IF possible, but they will stand behind their parts and it wont matter what you install the motor in, they employ car enthusiast and sell plenty of complete takeouts specifically packaged for us swappers. By the way my job was to run test the engines as well as dismantle and remove them.

I got my alternator from 'em, they had to bring it here from out of state, but it was here when they said it would be, & I got it for (what I felt was) a reasonable price. I wouldn't be too nervous about getting an engine from them. http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/images/icons/icon12.gif

got a link for them?

I bought a 6.0 from them about 4 years ago, Great engine still running 10#s on it but in my brother in laws mustang now instead of my pace truck!:(

Purchased an engine from them. Haven't started it however everything looks in order compression wise. Got a good deal too! Purchased it from their e-bay store.

My cousin works for them, and I have seen many of my buddies buy motors from him and no issues yet. I will be purchasing a motor from them as soon as I get my k member for my fox.

We buy from them up here in NH and they are good. They don't sell complete motors with harness and accesories though. All the harnesses and lines are cut when it is pulled. I have better luck with Bow auto parts here in NH. They unbolt everything and have excellent warranties. www.bowautoparts.com and they ship too.

Thanks for all of the replys. I'm going to pick up a 5.3 from the New Braunfels location here in south Texas. The rep I spoke to even asked me what car I was going to swap the motor into!

My buddies dad is the shipping and rec manager at one of thier locations, and i have dealt with them in the past and no issues and its been 15 years

I'm going to pick up a 5.3 from the New Braunfels location here in south Texas.

Hurley, keep us posted on how it goes. I'll be looking to pick one up in the future as well. I didn't know they had a location nearby, I've only browsed their ebay listings. Will you be trying to get ALL associated parts such as manifolds, all accessories, wiring, fuse box, pedal, etc?

Hurley, keep us posted on how it goes. I'll be looking to pick one up in the future as well. I didn't know they had a location nearby, I've only browsed their ebay listings. Will you be trying to get ALL associated parts such as manifolds, all accessories, wiring, fuse box, pedal, etc?

Will do. Right now I am going to pick up the engine only, intake to oil pan. I am not sure what chasis I am going to swap it into but I am leaning towards a Fox or S-10. I'm looking to build a true muscle "car" with no heat, ac or stereo with power steering being the only ammenity.
The more I research it, the more I believe that it's best to pick up a wiring harness from someone like turnkey engine supply so the harness will be custome made for my application. I may pick up a fuse box from a 99+ Chevy truck or I may buy aftermarket.

My goal is 350rwhp on motor and 500 on juice.

I'll keep you guys posted!

I bought my LQ9 from Greenleaf in Leominster MA (I think Greenleaf is part of/same as LKQ) and they're a bunch of incompetent idiots.

Bought an LQ9, computer & starter. One time it didn't get delivered because they couldn't find the computer. The next time it didn't come because they had my area's delivery day wrong. Then it didn't come because apparently somebody didn't get it on the shipping manifest in time. Then it came unannounced a day early and the driver was looking for COD (I paid by credit card). Finally about 3 weeks after I bought it, it finally showed up. Motor looked good, though I haven't opened it up yet.

I got a great price on the motor, but it's unlikely that I'll deal with those idiots again.

LKQ as a company purchases scrap yards in abundance in an attempt to become the largest recycler, I was working for a well established family owned and operated recycler in Illinois called A-Reliable when LKQ purchased them, but the daily operations we're left intact for a little over a year before LKQ implemented they're program. I'm almost sure LKQ has owned Greenleaf for some time now and i'm rather surprised that you had so many issues in one purchase Jim85Iroc, they're fairly thorough, sometimes anal. Must admit though A-Reliable was better without them.

i ordered a ford 8.8 for my jeep wrangler.

first rear axle was the wrong ratio.

second rear end didnt have a limited slip

third rear end was right but looked like it had been sitting in water for 2 years. calipers were gone, all lines were cut, rotors were seized on the axle.

the axle that i pulled out of my jeep looked like it was in better shape then the rear end i bought from lkq.

i can honestly say i will never purchase anything from them again.

I've bought body parts off of them (hoods, trunk lids, bumpers) and have had absolutely no problem. I have found they are usually in better condition than they advertise.