First LX-Swapped Equinox (3500 LX9)

Hello everyone!

I did swap the GM 60° V6 3400 LNJ for the GM High Value V6 3500 LX9 on my 2005 Equinox. It was a Plug-and-Play swap in my opinion.

This only applies to Equinox 2005-2006 and Torrent 2006. Equinox/Torrent 2007-2009 not compatible, more information down below.

Now, my old LNJ blew the Head Gaskets a year ago, then, I got really sick; reason why I couldn't do the job, so a "mechanic" changed the head gaskets, but reused the head bolts (something GM put on Service Manual NEVER attempt to do; and I explicitly told him to use new head bolts). His "repair" only lasted 3 months, then overheat happened again, plus the oil and coolant mixing. By December things got worst, so I had to store my car with a friend until I had money to fix it.

Having service manuals, and spending some hours of R&D on the GM Parts Catalog, I get to the conclusion that an LX-Swap could be done.

Now, more technical information on why this can be done:

-LX9 and LNJ uses the PCM P05, 24X Crank and 1X Cam.

-Both have the same Bellhousing (GM Metric).

-Both have the same mounting points, share intake/exhaust gaskets and a lot of misc. parts.

The things that needed to be transferred from the LNJ to the LX9:

-Upper Intake Manifold (Including TAC, EGR, MAP, EVAP and Engine Cover)

-Exhaust Manifold (Heat Shields are very necessary).

-Right Mounting Bracket from Engine to Body.

-Alternator and Compressor Brackets.

-Fuel Rail (Injectors are optional)

-Water Pump Tower and Pipes to Heater Core

-Flex Plate

-Pulleys for the Serpentine Belt.

-Crankshaft Position Sensor (CKP). Not reusing it will invoke P0315

-Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP)

-Knock Sensors

-Engine Oil Pressure Sensor (EOP, Optional. Those leak a lot, so is a good time to swap or replace)

So far, 3 bolts are not used (1 from the Oil Pan to the Transmission, that serves more as a Flex Plate cover; 1 from the Engine to Transaxle Brace, and 1 from the Intermediate Shaft Mount). The Serpentine Belt when using the LX9 Front Cover is shorter than the LNJ, so new Belt (I used 889K6). Swapping the Front Cover will allow the LNJ belt (919K6 to be carried over).

The LX9 is more reliable (no Head Gasket and/or Lower Intake Manifold issues) compared to the LNJ, runs a lot cooler (also thanks to the piston cooling jets built on the back 2 cylinders), it is more fuel efficient, and has more instant torque. The LNJ was built by SAIC-GM (Formerly SGM, or Shanghai GM) at Shanghai, P.R.C.; the LX9 was buit by GMNA at Tonawanda, New York; and the LX9 can be found on Malibu/G6 from 2004-2006, as well as U-Platform SUV (Buick Rendezvous) and Vans (Chevrolet Uplander, Pontiac Montana, Saturn Relay and Buick Terraza) from 2005-2007; so there is a lot of options to find one.

The Equinox/Torrent 2007-2009 cannot use the LX9, because the 2007-2009 uses the ECM E38, as well as 58X Crank and 4X Cam. The "closiest" engine that could work on those is the LZ4. But it will be a challenge to put on.

Installing is relatively easy, if you have experience on removing engines. This is my first Engine Swap, but not the last, because I'm swapping another LX9 in a Equinox (a 2006 to be exact.) I'l put a link to a video explaining and testing more about it soon.

Pictures anexed.