I dropped a valve in my 06 and found a complete 04 SO engine, less than 100 miles pullout out from a new truck, that has been sitting. I can get it complete down to wiring and all for less than 4k.

Would this be a good replacement engine? Any differences besides rocker cover/gasket, and piston/injector tips? I would change rocker cover and gasket to match my wiring and use my computer and harness.

Any downfalls anyone see?

Thanks

 

Anyone?

 

I think it would be a good swap but would hate to have issues with the wiring. Is the donor an 04 or 04.5?

 

Donor is an 04, but would use my original wiring and computer.

 

There are going to be several differences but nothing major.

This thread has info on the differences: https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...e-t316970.html

The '04 SO engine won't have the piston cooling jets but it has the superior piston design compared to the 2004.5-2007 5.9L engines.
There are many guys running bumped up SO engines with no issues.

Make sure the injector tips match the pistons when swapping things around.

 

Agree with above...

As long as you use your 06 computer (ECM) and turbo, you'll be fine.

 

Well, was about to pull the trigger on it and come to find out, it has a bottom end knock! Just my luck.

 

Don't touch it then without pulling the oil pan. Chances are a rod or main bearing going.

 

Trying to find someone local to do machine work on my engine and rebuild it, but if not, would i do ok to find an 03/04 305/555 or even a reman of those specs? I know of a few places that offer the 04.5/07 325/610, but thinking i might do better with the older style pistons.

If i go with a reman, Im looking for one with the best warranty and parts. Any reccomendations?

 

Can't help with the engine search, but as noted above, there is a different spray angle in the injectors due to the different pistons... make sure you have the right ones as the ones you have now (06) will not work properly in an 04 engine. Oh, they'll install just fine... but the spray will be outside the piston bowl with undesirable results.

 

Also, check your local DMV rules to see if you can actually do the swap legally.

I've looked into this and most states have said that the donor engine being used must be the same year, or newer, than the vehicle it's going into, regardless of what kind of fuel the engine runs on. They also don't care if it's a swap (gas to diesel, for example) or a straight up replacement since it doesn't match their criteria.

Your example ('04 engine going into an '06 vehicle) would not be considered a legal swap/replacement since the donor engine is older than the vehicle.

I'd hate to see you do this and then some schmuck at the DMV give you a bad time if they find out.




-Kris

 

^^^ This is a ture enough post.

I can confirm that it is the case in California.

 

Since he likely has to use his current valve cover, which has his ESN on it, it's likely the smog police won't know the difference.

Now, if they want to get dirty enough to scrape for numbers on the block to verify what's on the cover, then there may be an issue, but I don't see that happening if it passes smog, which it likely would with the 2006 ECM.

Then again, they might "NASCAR" you.

Mark.