Tips on buying a VE ss

[pikey]

Hi all
Im Looking at Buying a 2008/2009 SS ute (manual) and wanted to know if there is anything i should be looking for as a potential problem. Is the 6.0 a good engine and if looked after what is the expected life of the engine before major repairs. I have looked at a couple with around 150/160k's (is this too high?)
Thanks
Alan

 

[monstar]

Not too high for a manual, only reason it won’t keep on trucking is the lower valvetrain - cam and lifters at the cam face. Best look to change that 160-200k in my experience. Highest ever before this component failure is 385k km.
Yes is a world class ute engine with a VVT cam out of a yank truck. Thing is there’s no VVT mechanism so is really hampered / not effective. So cam lifters and springs and she’s a beaut Ute.
Look for regular documented oil and filter change of course.

 

[dimetime]

Not too high for a manual, only reason it won’t keep on trucking is the lower valvetrain - cam and lifters at the cam face. Best look to change that 160-200k in my experience. Highest ever before this component failure is 385k km.
Yes is a world class ute engine with a VVT cam out of a yank truck. Thing is there’s no VVT mechanism so is really hampered / not effective. So cam lifters and springs and she’s a beaut Ute.
Look for regular documented oil and filter change of course.

what would you be replacing around 160k in regards to the valve train? lifters aswell as the normal cam gear? i ask as im approaching the 160k mark soon

 

[blackve76]

Hi all
Im Looking at Buying a 2008/2009 SS ute (manual) and wanted to know if there is anything i should be looking for as a potential problem. Is the 6.0 a good engine and if looked after what is the expected life of the engine before major repairs. I have looked at a couple with around 150/160k's (is this too high?)
Thanks
Alan

They're petty good generally, look at balancer for wobbles and any engine rattles noise when cold and normal check of a/c and coolant lines etc. The L98 is the best 6l engine.

 

[monstar]

what would you be replacing around 160k in regards to the valve train? lifters aswell as the normal cam gear? i ask as im approaching the 160k mark soon

If you want to know the minimal critical maintenance then just lifters and cradles.
But really is a good opportunity to overhaul and tidy head, swap better cam, pushrods, cam gear, timing chain and tensioner.

 

[vr304]

The std clutches aren't great either I'd be looking for one that's had a clutch replacement, preferably a heavy duty clutch

 

[dimetime]

If you want to know the minimal critical maintenance then just lifters and cradles.
But really is a good opportunity to overhaul and tidy head, swap better cam, pushrods, cam gear, timing chain and tensioner.

mine is a l98 would that still include lifters?

 

[monstar]

mine is a l98 would that still include lifters?

Thing is L98 is the longest running GenIV rectangle port and there’s been just a couple of reports of lifter failure. I don’t think it would hurt, GM designed the engine to last 100,000 miles so good time to lift the lids, inspect / overhaul heads, replace the lifters and cam. Makes sense to do the chain, tensioner and cam gear too.

 

[dimetime]

Thing is L98 is the longest running GenIV rectangle port and there’s been just a couple of reports of lifter failure. I don’t think it would hurt, GM designed the engine to last 100,000 miles so good time to lift the lids, inspect / overhaul heads, replace the lifters and cam. Makes sense to do the chain, tensioner and cam gear too.

yer fair enough, most packages ive seen for the l98 dont offer the lifters to be done, seems like its a bit more of a job to do the lifters while doing the cam? doing the lifters requires the heads to come off, would this be the reason shops wouldnt do them? as it takes more time?

 

[monstar]

yer fair enough, most packages ive seen for the l98 dont offer the lifters to be done, seems like its a bit more of a job to do the lifters while doing the cam? doing the lifters requires the heads to come off, would this be the reason shops wouldnt do them? as it takes more time?

Depends really, how much for just the cam?