randyc0142 Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 I am completely new to the SS. What exactly is the 6.0L engine. And where can I find the best book for info on it? Also the truck has 99k miles on it, what are the common problems with this truck that I ican work on first? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JC03SS Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 Go online and look up thee ss u can learn alot right there. Engine wise stock it's pretty strong. A good tune, cai, and exhaust can make it run alot better. Well the front diff is a little weak and the tranny is a little weak when you start adding power. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Roknic Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 I am completely new to the SS. What exactly is the 6.0L engine. And where can I find the best book for info on it? Also the truck has 99k miles on it, what are the common problems with this truck that I ican work on first? Hey Randy...... welcome to the site! The stock 6.0 in your truck is a LQ9, 364 displacement, heads are 317 cathedral port. Engines respond very well to bolt ons.... check out the build and bolt on section on the site.... lots of great info. The weakest part on the SS is the tranny, but you can buy a shift kit and larger tranny cooler for it and extend the life on it, as long as you don't throw a shit load of more power to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MARTYW Posted March 31, 2012 Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randyc0142 Posted March 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2012 Hey Randy...... welcome to the site! The stock 6.0 in your truck is a LQ9, 364 displacement, heads are 317 cathedral port. Engines respond very well to bolt ons.... check out the build and bolt on section on the site.... lots of great info. The weakest part on the SS is the tranny, but you can buy a shift kit and larger tranny cooler for it and extend the life on it, as long as you don't throw a shit load of more power to it. Great info, I will be reading alot on here probably not going too far with power, but I did run across a supercharger this morning on a 3.8 ford out of a superchicken. Can it be used on this engine, I guess I need to research the S/C but I can get it on the cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f1ss Posted April 1, 2012 Report Share Posted April 1, 2012 Only thing I can add is the LQ9 requires 91 Octane fuel or higher due to the compression which is 10:0:1 I personally run 93 Octane all the time wether its Shell V-Power, Mobil or Sunoco gasoline. I believe you can use up to 94 but any higher Octane might burn the cats (I remember reading a thread awhile back on here about that, I could be wrong). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmJake Posted April 1, 2012 Report Share Posted April 1, 2012 What cats? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blown 346 Posted April 2, 2012 Report Share Posted April 2, 2012 (edited) I am completely new to the SS. What exactly is the 6.0L engine. And where can I find the best book for info on it? Also the truck has 99k miles on it, what are the common problems with this truck that I ican work on first? I agree with what others have said. Small stuff does alot. For instance any time I get a new vehicle the first thing I do is replace the plugs, wires, air filter,oil and filter and fuel filter if you have one. 2003 does. 2004 and up does not, it is built into the fuel pump in the tank. I would pick up some good spark plug wires, and NGK TR 55 plugs, those are the best for naturally aspirated or GM engines that dont have Nitrous, Turbos or supercharges. Gap them at 50 to 55 Thousanths. A cold air Kit will also help with throttle response and gas mileage a small amount. A good aftermarket muffler will help as well as reduce some weight as the stock one weighs a ton. Flowmaster is garbage and doesnt have HP gains that others like Magnaflow have, plus it gives a nice sound not alot of people have. Headers will help out alot but those get more expensive. Otherwise there are tons of appearance mods you can do that are really cheap, and make small differences. For problems, I have had two of these trucks as my first one was totaled out a few months ago. The only things I ever had to do to my 04 was..... Replace the oil cooler lines and one trans line from them starting to leak where the metal line and rubber hose is crimped. That is a normal wear issue. Replace my battery after 8 years Just routine maintenace like oil changes. Otherwise if you take care of them they will do the same for you. The motors are extremly strong and hold up well. I had 141,000 on my old one and it always treated me well. Edited April 2, 2012 by Blown 346 (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randyc0142 Posted April 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 5, 2012 Thanks for all the nfo, I am looking forward to learning all the inns and outs of the truck, how much life is left after 100 k miles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bag Posted April 5, 2012 Report Share Posted April 5, 2012 (edited) At 100K Randy according to GM's recommended service intervals you're due for a full maint. package: Oil change/filter Trans flush Front/rear diff flush Coolant flush Transfer case flush Power steer flush Brake flush Plugs and wires Being an 04 having a returnless style fuel system the fuel filter isnt needed, it's an in-tank internal "sock" that's changed along with the fuel pump Lube all Zerk fittings Inspect brakes, hoses and cooling lines New battery Engine oil/filter choice will be up to you. Trans= Dexron VI Transfer case= Auto Trac II fluid Diffs: synthetic 75/90w no additive needed, the diffs are not posi's and do not require a limited slip friction modifier additive Coolant: Dex-Cool Plugs: 41-110 is Ac Delco part # Wires will be up to you, many run MSD, Taylor. I have seen no gains from those and run OEM Ac Delco's Battery up to you, Optima isn't what it used to be, a new OEM Ac Delco here Edited April 5, 2012 by Bad Ass Silvy (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f1ss Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 AC Delco Battery lasted me over 10 years, I am debating wether I should get a Pro AC Delco or just the regular stock Delco battery next month. Stock wires fit and are just as good if not better than the Taylor or MSD's imo. I keep hearing about the Taylors and MSD's having their issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmJake Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 My manual says the plug gap is 60. I'm a putting in new plugs and wires soon. I have them. Just waiting for the global warming. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fireman31 Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 Don't forget to check the belts and replace the thermostat too...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randyc0142 Posted April 6, 2012 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 Bad news yest., salesman informed me the truck i iwas waiting for him to get ready, for me to buy, was sold before I could get there to make a deal. So the search continues. I am in southwestern Virginia if anyone knows of an ss for sale within a reasonable distance please let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmJake Posted April 6, 2012 Report Share Posted April 6, 2012 Bad news yest., salesman informed me the truck i iwas waiting for him to get ready, for me to buy, was sold before I could get there to make a deal. So the search continues. I am in southwestern Virginia if anyone knows of an ss for sale within a reasonable distance please let me know. That blows. Keep looking on ebay. I looked for 2 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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