GM LS2 6.0 V8 Complete Engine Teardown! Senselessly Murdered By Trailblazer Front Sump/Low Oil Level

If this is the first teardown you are finding, there are over 20 others I've done! Lots of LS's, A viper engine, rx8 rotary, and a couple SRT8 Hemi's to name a few. Check them out here • Blown Up Engine Tear D...
My name is Eric and I own and run a full service auto salvage business called Importapart located in the Saint Louis MO area. Part of our model is dismantling and selling parts from rare and niche market engines. If you're interested in buying parts from other engines I've torn down, email us at [e-mail].
In this video, I tear down an Aluminum 6.0L LS2 from a 2007-2009 Trailblazer SS. This teardown is a bit different because I am planning on keeping this engine, and rebuilding it for one of my own vehicles! I've torn down a few hundred of these type of engines and yet tearing down one for myself I still get a little anxiety about whether it will be a buildable engine or not.
As always, I love all of the comments, questions, and suggestions.
Catch ya on the next one!

[@litz13]

Whoever had that last pulled that one cap, saw the spun bearing, and "noped" it right into your hands

[@I_Do_Cars]

I’m happy they did!

[@Winchester1979]

@@I_Do_Cars Kind of want to see a video on putting it all back together again, the sort of adjustments you need to make etc.

[@carguy3028]

Good candidate for a 408 stroker kit.

[@crw3673]

@@carguy3028 exactly! But will probably just buy pistons and use what he has off the shelf.

[@earskinpresley5848]

@@I_Do_Cars would you say the Toyota 5.7 is the best built engine for the long haul. If not what would you say is?

[@york2600]

I love hearing the thought process behind why this is a TB vs. a truck. You've clearly seen a billion LS engines.

[@cravenmoorehead7099]

Billion?

[@samuelmauri1568]

Billion??

[@FrankySilverFace]

Maybe 2 Billion

[@TestECull]

1:15 'really slow, wrong number of pedals'. Man of my own heart here.

[@jimburns9674]

For once... Let's see the process of what you have to do to restore this engine for the truck. You pointed out several issues. Bores, bearings etc... Would love to see how YOU deal with these issues "in reality"!!! Thanks SOOO much. Absolutely love your videos and how you don't screw around and make us watch endless bolt removals. HAHA

[@Ballen1182]

Never did it did he? :/

[@jacobreadings9014]

At least I’m not the only one who grabs parts fresh out the cleaner and run away with them going hot hot hot 😂

[@codyemylee7576]

This time next year I know you’ll have a million subs! Everyone loves no music and only you talking/explaining. Please never change! WE LOVE YOU!!!!

[@rogersmithjr3837]

The LS2 was in the GTO 05' and 06'. Great engine. Lots of power.

[@cheke8687]

also in 05-07 c6 corvettes

[@ZPositive]

Your channel has become one of my very few "I gotta watch that new video ASAP" channels. No annoying music ot intro, jam packed with cool engines and carnage, and tasteful 90s movie references. 🙂

[@fartamplifer]

I remember when I worked at U-Haul, we'd occasionally find a truck that someone had swapped the engine out of. They had the 6.2 and every so often you'd find one with a 5.3 swapped in. Those trucks we're written off and sold at auction. There were no checks in place, and as far as I know there still aren't, to check the engine after a vehicle is returned. Speaking to some friends who still work there, they're already anticipating finding 5.3 engines in trucks with the new 6.6.

[@grilobite]

Always interesting seeing the variations of carnage you encounter.

[@RoadTrip.]

"Infinite gap" spark plugs. Lol. That one got me.

[@lgunderso2117]

Absolutely love your project truck, best config and best year. A LS2 and manual conversion will be awesome. Jokingly disappointed you didn't say set it and forget it Re: the parts washer- yeah they are awesome.

[@allenl9031]

Ron Popiel! Set it and forget it, chicken rotisserie.

[@BaltimoreAndOhioRR]

RIP ron popiel

[@agenericaccount3935]

Mmm, it’s always fun when an “it’s clean” turns into a “well, that one part was clean”

[@fitfogey]

We meet again Saturday night teardown fam.

[@TheSleepyMechanic0524]

Especially as repeat viewers.

[@JamesBrown-gf6sc]

Don't ever wipe that way bro I'm dead💀 love your vids man! They keep me sane after a long days work.

[@JohnIsett]

Hey, I got one of those Callahan Auto Parts tees. Nice touch, Tommy boy!

[@oinka720]

"he knows all he sold you was a 'guaranteed' piece of shit". Perhaps Tommy was also referring to the front sump design.

[@henrys.6864]

"I can get a good look at a T-bone by sticking my head in a bulls ass but I'd rather take the butchers word for it" - Tommy. (I think thats how it goes)

[@cayman9873]

Adjustable con rod goes awesome with permanent cylinder deactivation on demand. What awesome features

[@RogueRAZR]

Ya know, I think the most satisfying part of these videos is that beautiful cracking sound of loosening rod caps and main cap bolts.

[@robertvandeventer7099]

Oops, one of those “adjustable rods” again …. ROFLMAO 🤣 😂😂😂

[@kret63]

That excitement in Your eyes when You talk about this engine, those sparkly eyes. It's pure joy!

[@senior_ranger]

Such a treat. This has become a part of my weekend that I really look forward to. I even read all the comments, most are actually worth reading, so different from most utube stuff. You not only created good content channel, but a quality audience. And like some of the comments pointed out, I appreciate the lack of marketing fluff -- the openings, music, sponsors, etc. Just a safe place for car guys doing car guy stuff!!

[@toomanyhobbies2011]

Found an '03 GMC 2500HD CC SB with an LQ4 and 4L80 while looking for a 24 valve Cummins. Settled on the GMC and really glad I did because it's a great truck. 180K miles with nearly identical compression in all bores, but the 4L80 needed to be rebuilt.

[@oldfag_adventures]

yeah but that's all 4LXX trannies

[@Cartier_specialist]

That cleaning machine is wicked good.

[@OtherWorldExplorers]

For your pulley removal tool What about using a push rod to replace the bent one that you have.

[@I_Do_Cars]

It’s the exact same length, I almost did that actually!

[@TomPauls007]

Your videos are so personable. I feel like you and I are both looking at the project with our coffee mugs together in the same room.

[@Rctreadaway]

Nice Sierra! I have a 2010 Sierra crew cab the same color that's getting turbo'd soon. We have an 07 TBSS that I did the C6 oil pan on a year ago to correct this issue. Makes oil changes a little more time consuming but it's easier than replacing an engine. Finishing up a cam swap on it currently.

[@robertwest3093]

You are a true pro at this engine teardown show hosting!

[@markparent7999]

These tear downs are therapeutic

[@OUSWKR]

Great explanation on the failure with the oil pan design and great looking truck!

[@gregbrenyo6518]

Interesting, I have a 1953 Chevy 3100 with an LS1 out of a 2004 GTO that came with a front sump oil pan. It had to be changed due to chassis constraints. After seeing this I'm very happy that it was changed to a traditional rear sump truck pan. I would love a GM made something similar to the Trailblazer SS now, but I have a feeling that's never going to happen again.

[@jeffscott3160]

Not sure if the 5.3 or 6.0 TB were the same, but a fun fact on the 4.2 TB is that the oil pressure sender is actually just a switch, not a sending unit. GM came up with some weird algorithm to have the ECM display an oil pressure reading on the gauge in the dash cluster. The switch goes to ground if oil pressure drops below 5psi but other than that it doesn't register actual oil pressure levels.

[@Yankee7000]

Always good viewing…..a great learning experience as well. All the different engines, the different configurations. Very instructive as to the mindset of the automobile engineers across the various manufacturers…

[@Mittencarpentry]

“Come in…” got me.

[@bradleypark1936]

Yeah, I chuckled at that one. lol.

[@BWGPEI]

Now that was an education - and a warning, both worth watching. I do hope you find the right engine for that old beauty.

[@lgunderso2117]

Could also be a saab 97x aero (chrome plated trailblazer SS) lol

[@superduty4556]

Sleepers

[@lgunderso2117]

Super Duty 455 I have a 9-5 wagon and I love to embarrass v6 camaro and charger/challenger owners

[@kevin122759]

I heard they existed a few years ago. I searched for a month and never found one. Probably less then 50 produced for USA.

[@somebutter6755]

Yeah, but those basically don’t exist. I think they only made like 600 of them.

[@donsurlylyte]

the adjustable piston rod is actually quite an old development of the internal combustion engine, remarkable that it is still used even now.

[@toddnoethe2476]

LOVE Your videos, very informative and satisfying to watch. Keep 'em coming!!

[@rayshutsa6690]

I love watching the channel and the exploration as to what is wrong with the engine. Thank you for producing the video's.

[@cheagle464]

Your videos are instructional, informative and highly enjoyable. This one, at least you've got Some good parts for your dream engine, right... My current/past was Chevy caprice. Found that dod bring so undesirable and maintenance parts sky high. Well, thanks for your knowledge!!

[@leelimbeck976]

I learn so many new words on this channel. Today I learned 'Bracketry'...

[@davefinfrock3324]

Had a TBSS for about ten years. Pretty good truck, but it saw frequent preventive maintenance. Its main issue was midwest winters eating the wheels. The one thing these videos bring home with a bullet is change the oil religiously and make sure it actually has some. Looking forward to the possibility of seeing a 6.4L Hemi teardown--although not entirely without anxiety.

[@tylerty7324]

I have an 06 ls2 in my gto with the 24x reluctor and mine didn't have a timing chain tensioner. I thought that was a really poor design. I am glad they did something about it.

[@norcal715]

Keep it up, Love the teardowns and related information that go's with them.

[@sirfartsalot1328]

Holy fuck! The knowledge you have about these engines is insane! You must really love what you do. "Don't ever wipe that way." 😆

[@rpsmith]

Excellent Teardown! Thanks!

[@raymondjones7489]

I really appreciate your videos!!... the towards the front sump on the ss is really useful data for me...thanks man!!👍👍😁😎

[@jinglesalas]

It figures I had to find your channel. I have been thinking about doing something with an LS engine, but I really DON'T need another project. I am right across the river from you, so there will probably be an LS engine in my future. Love the videos!

[@davidmiller9485]

for those who don't know, the cracking between the intake and exhaust valves in the head happens in a lot of heads. The old 426 Hemi's did it. It just doesn't matter in the case of the Hemi's. I know people who ran them on the 1/4 mile track with cracks with no ill effects. So it really depends on the motor as to whether the crack is a problem or not.

[@stevebot]

With aluminum heads the risk of dropping a seat is too great a risk. Iron heads? Run 'em until the off chance it expands to a cooling passage. YMMV

[@ldnwholesale8552]

Spun bearings,, the cranks will often polish up, no need to grind it. Here in Oz all our Alloy engines came with a front well pan. And literally thousands of the early ones spun bearings as the Holden pick up tubes were too small coupled with a shallow pan. Later ones were better as the pickup was larger. Though when they run low on oil and stand on the gas all the oil runs away from the pick up. Ford also did this on all their engines, similar result.

[@PureCountryof91]

Probably why the coyote has a 7qt/6.3(?)l oil capacity and g3 coyotes have a 8qt/7~l..

[@Wtrxprs007able]

Good thing on the VE onwards they made the sump a bit bigger towards the rear. Didn't get rid of starvation issues but still improved it

[@user-fi3fx5my2s]

Betting your gonna rebuild the hell out of that motor. Should be a beast when you get it done.. great vid!

[@cg_justin_5327]

It's amazing how simple the LS is compared to the Hemi.

[@I_Do_Cars]

I honestly think they’re pretty comparable.

[@HypocriticYT]

I take care of my LS1 in in my 02 Camaro 😊 has lots of miles on it but runs great. I would never want a VVT engine it’s just asking to be broken 😅

[@jamesrider452]

I have one of these LS 2 that came out of a roll over trailblazer, I was told bolt the heads from a 5.3 and it is instant hp increase. I am Going to carb and solid roller will stay in same frame of trailblazer but body of HHR for Frankenstein rat rod going on a trailblazer frame cut down with 9” ford rear and cal tracks for drag and drive.

[@mkbarber65]

Nice truck! I have an ‘08 Silverado and an ‘06 Avalanche, that would be a nice upgrade for both trucks! Really enjoy the videos.

[@alanrlocklear]

Cant wait to see the swap done on the Sierra. Not too big on the manual transmission idea but we'll see. If that was a RCSB truck then I'd say "go for it" but not on a crew cab.

[@littlehumby535]

Love to see 6.0L in trucks. Post that video of the swap!

[@strumptavianroboclick5596]

I've got that engine in my TBSS.. love it

[@robfredrickson5817]

I can’t watch until tomorrow but giving my thumbs up now😀

[@scorpiokingo]

I'm a tbss owner 162000 miles , 7.0 quarts all the time and check . Good truck not for abuse unless reworked.

[@davidchapman7667]

I've said it before and I will say it again: love/ addicted to these teardown, but I am so paranoid with 5 cars and a motorcycle between my wife, kids and I. I can deal with replacing brakes, shocks, alternators etc, but these teardowns show all the f'ed up ways an engine can be destroyed (ie expensive).

[@oc7677]

Nice GMC Sierra they’re my favorite specialty this kind from 2000 to 2006 with the 4:10 rear gear

[@shadetree6705]

If it's that hot, let it cool off!!! DUH!!! There, that's the only criticism I can think of. Great video, thanks for sharing. I'd love to turn wrenches with if I get down that way again.

[@KD0LRG]

Nothing like the seatbelt strap for a pull point 😉

[@turkeyssr]

"It's slow". Try my 1983 Chevy Impala with a 305. Great video!

[@unavailabill]

Bruh when you said “come in” to the motor when you were spinning it and it knocked. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@basscube5]

I have one of those LS2s here on the shelf. Exact same issue but #6 rod bearing failed. Nice block, heads and 7 rods/pistons. Pretty much got it for free.

[@1JackTorS]

I come here for the sci-fi pew! pew! noises the ratchet makes during the sped up tear down segments.

[@jw4620]

Great analysis! Good video! Thanks!

[@cheagle464]

Well after seeing some of your 'oiling issue' motors I didn't need to explore the innards of my '94 5.7. I heard the squeaky/chirpy noise I saw in another vid and made it back about 8 miles to the shop! Still ran, fresh oil change black. Artist welder made a dachshund out of the crank, all bearings and journals omg

[@goldenboi7685]

Manuals ARE so much fun.

[@jefftaylor1247]

Another enjoyable video! Thanks!!

[@brianmartin1139]

I wish I could share these videos with my dad. He would love them.

[@adotintheshark4848]

At first I thought you said "'79 Trailblazer SS" and I'm thinking, "wait a minute"

[@michaelflores2318]

SS Super Slow Staleblazer

[@clifbradley]

My father in law had a Trailblazer SS and he swore that thing would do 12's at the strip. Then one day he decides to take it to the drag strip and it blew up. So he got a BMW X5. Then an Audi Q5, then an A6. Finally he bought a Honda Pilot. He would never listen to me when I said 'Don't buy that'. Because I drove an SN95 Mustang. He told me that I knew nothing about cars since I drove that.

[@camman9235]

What’s wrong with a sn95 mustang also really dumb to assume people don’t know shit based off the cars they drive

[@clifbradley]

@@snackler6102 I agree. I didn't judge him for driving his cars. I judged his character or the reason he bought them. They were unreliable too. His X5 he bought new. That thing went to the shop 3 times in a year. Q5 he bought used because it was some special edition model with weird seats and when he got 61k Mile's on it, the turbo went. So he offloaded that and bought a new A6 which lasted 4 years until a pulley seized and wrecked the supercharger and a few other things. I always felt it was karma. But he did lean into those stereotypes you hear about with people driving those cars.

[@cayman9873]

I keep my oil clean and just 100 percent full. And when i watch your videos I want to go outside and change oil again.

[@PhillyDee215]

Love those LS2 engines😎

[@hotrod6919]

I agree 100% on not using turned cranks. with the tighter tolerances/clearances on modern engines idk how they can even sell them I tried once and the piston petrusion varied per cyl so badly thought my rods were the issue. I really had high hopes on that ls2 being a gem but those blocks are going extinct. Maybe worth a re-sleeve in the next couple years. I've become less a fan of aluminum blocks over the years, but I hate seeing more and more of them not usable I still have my first ls1 and a ls6 I put away. Don't know why they belong in some rich old guys restomod.

[@cincinnatibob37]

I've never heard you use the word 'epic'. so 100,000 points for that.

[@datasailor8132]

That engine, the LS2, was used in the Corvette and the Cadillac CTS-V for a couple of years like 06-07 or thereabouts specced at 400 hp.

[@ronniecardy]

Looks good for your GMC soon it will have a good motor

[@the_kingslayer]

Watching this makes me miss my 2005 GTO

[@WizzRacing]

One mans to much work to fix.. is the other mans I need that...

[@paulschab8152]

Set it and forget it lol. Love these videos man!

[@module79l28]

"And has the wrong number of pedals". I find that mindset so "refreshing", especially coming from an american. : )

[@toomanyhobbies2011]

No kidding. I'm lucky enough to have a '66 K10 with an SM420. Love that fun truck (tractor?).

[@TechGorilla1987]

That patented forged-in-place piston.

[@DanielEhlmann]

LMFAO

[@GTIMAN2010]

Great vid!

[@goblinzl1]

my hci ls2 in my fbody has been bulletproof. i run it hard and it loves it.

[@upsidedowndog1256]

I find the design features of the LS family to be quite interesting. They have many of Ford's 1960s engines features.

[@thatguydave1573]

You should breakdown a 1st gen Colorado inline 5! That would be pretty cool to see.

[@joshausterlitz3798]

I hope some day you can find a Honda G series engine, would love to see that teardown.

[@calvinbarhitte2661]

You should do another 3.5l v6 from a ford edge. You can see some amazing carnage in there if your lucky enough.

[@camman9235]

You don’t have to be lucky for a escape to physically say fuck it and kill it self

[@chadharmon5716]

That’s a lot of clearance there Clarence

[@butlertv1]

And Airplane was a documentary.😁

[@chrispearce9224]

Very nice video sir.

[@chrisgabbert658]

Well you got some good parts

[@QQ-hm4nu]

the new ray gun impact at 20:45

[@2007joequimby]

Please do a video on your shop counter broken parts collection :)

[@EdwardT9]

I’m going to guess a loaded rear hitch, then climbing a good hill when low on oil and that oil goes to the back of that sump. That engine looks ideal for a swap into a car with a tight bay, like a 944 V8 conversion.

[@lloydrmc]

That exotic "unibearing" would make a nice carnage souvenir.

[@David-yy7lb]

I have a 02 1500HD that has a 6.0l and runs like a top👍🏿

[@joeclarke9782]

Thanks. Maybe the next core will have the Cracker Jack prize.