What if? I6 GM motor LL8

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drbandkgb

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
[h=2]LL8[/h]

Vortec 4200 LL8 engine in a 2006 Chevrolet Traiblazer.​

The LL8 (or Vortec 4200), is a straight-6 truck engine. It was the first Atlas engine, and was designed for GM's new SUV line. It displaces 4.2 L (4160 cc, 254 cu in),[SUP][1][/SUP]with a 93 mm (3.7 in) bore and 102 mm (4.0 in) stroke. When introduced, this engine's power was 270 hp (205 kW) at 6000 rpm and torque was 275 lb·ft (373 N·m) at 3600 rpm. 2003 saw a slight bump in power to 275 hp (205 kW), while torque was unchanged. For 2006, power was increased to 291 hp (217 kW) at 6000 rpm and torque to 277 lb·ft (376 N·m) at 4800 rpm with the addition of a MAF and a complete internal redesign of the engine. The Atlas LL8 was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2002 through 2005. Engine redline is 6300 rpm.
LL8 Applications:
With the closing of the Moraine, OH plant and the termination of the GMT-360 platform (Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, etc.) the Atlas LL8 (Vortec 4200) has also been terminated. The smaller I4 and I5 variants are still produced.






I know it was not a popular motor in that platform but... Those numbers are great for a Gen 1 Xterra...


This would take a lot of know how and skill but I think it could be a beast..
 
AZhiAZiAM

AZhiAZiAM

Suspension Lift
Location
Fresno,CA
sounds like you just found ron's next swap. but this would make a beast gen1. i'll have to ask my uncle about it. engines are his life.
 
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drbandkgb

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
My dad had one of these in his GMC... Was a nice motor.. I know GM tested it in racing of some type..


The numbers are good... Just how would you make it work...

Now GM had all kinds of issues with the I5... it was very weak in the Colorado and hummer
 
RacerXXL

RacerXXL

First Fill-Up (of many)
Founding Member
Location
North Alabama
How you gonna make it fit? It's an in line 6 I can almost guarantee you there is no way it will fit mounted front to back....can't transverse mount it. Have any dimensions on it?

Found some dimensions on the LL8

Block height is 32.62"
Length is 32.86" and I'm not completely sure that dimension is for a dressed engine.

Length from the firewall to the outside of the radiator core support is just shy of 33". So yeah it could fit, sort of...well not really. Unless you change the trans as well you can add some more length for the adaptor plate to mate it to the Nissn trans. You would have to find an alternate location for the radiator and a really tall cowl induction hood scoop or custom hood to deal with the LL8's taller height.

Your gonna end up with a lot of engine weight out in front of the axle as well. For the nighmare fitting the LL8 would be I'd pick something else to start with. For comparison sake a V8 is going to be shorter in length and in height then the LL8.

I thought Mirage had a Nissan engine he was fairly certain would fit reasonably in the 1st Gens?
 
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midget

First Fill-Up (of many)
Location
what cheer,Iowa
Seems like alot of work with little gain. A 5.3 swap would prolly cost the same and fit better. However thinking outside the box is cool ive put some thought in how to package a 514ci big block ford into an X.....lets just say my "trimmed fenders would seem dosile to the amount of cutting needed but it would be cool.
 
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bdp07

Bought an X
Location
Nashville, TN
I deal with cars all day. That engine is not that bad but they do have a lot of flaws depending on the year. I would stay away from the 05 year engine though. I would rather go the route midget said and go a 5.3l. You can get that engine running for 600 bucks all day, plus aftermarket parts and performance parts are cheap for it.
 
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drbandkgb

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
I have always liked that motor.. I'm sure it would be a nightmare to do..
The infinity v8 would be a better pick I'm sure... Just thinking aloud
 
J Everett

J Everett

Suspension Lift
Founding Member
Location
Houma, LA
Yeah, it's alway fun to bounce ideas like that off other people. I was always so disappointed that the 4.2L I6 never found its way into the Colorado/Canyon pickups.
 
Trexterra

Trexterra

Wheeling
Founding Member
Location
Alabama
A lot of 1st gen pathy and HB guys put the 4.3 vortec in. I already talked to Dave about it but the trans adapter and motor mounts are already sold by 4x4 parts. If I swap then that is probably the route I would go for the fact that it is lighter than the v8 and get better mpg as well. there is also a lot of support from people already doing that motor.
 
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drbandkgb

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
I have owned vortec v6s. They are torquey but I have not been impressed with mpgs... My blazer avg in the 12s
 
J Everett

J Everett

Suspension Lift
Founding Member
Location
Houma, LA
My 97 chevy C/K with the 4.3L got over 20 mpg. Too bad the New Venture transmission was such garbage.


Sent from Mars via Curiosity MSL
 
J Everett

J Everett

Suspension Lift
Founding Member
Location
Houma, LA
I dunno about the big tires. I was only 19 at the time and kept it stock. But I averaged about the same mileage I get now in my Xterra. 20-21 on the highway, 16-17 around town. My Xterra has a lot more power though.
 
Roninjiro

Roninjiro

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Austin,TX
There are no limits to what you guys can do, especially if it has already be done in a hardbody/pathfinder (similar chassis to us). If you really want to do it, I recommend doing your research on your wiring and engine management. Anyone can swap in an engine/trans/transfer, but the wiring and management is what kills the project. Another big obstacle for us IFS guys is the limited sump clearance for almost any swap you would like to do.

Anyhow I would love to see an Infinity 4.5L swapped in a first gen.
 
Roninjiro

Roninjiro

Need Bigger Tires
Location
Austin,TX
still wishing that nissan would offer different engine options for the xterra/pathfinder/frontier, but then if they did that what would we be dreaming about then??
 
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drbandkgb

Titan Swapped / SAS'd
Founding Member
Well.. as of last WED no more real pathy.. Production was stopped.. so was the Xterra and Frontier..


In 2 weeks they start up production in Canton MS
 
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