A look at what lurks under the hood of the V6 Caprice

Tech discussions on the 3.6L V6 motor (LFX) used in the 2012 & up Caprice.
PPV4ME
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Joined: Fri Jul 10, 2015 1:05 am
Location: Des Moines, Iowa

Re: A look at what lurks under the hood of the V6 Caprice

Post by PPV4ME »

These are very helpful references for me as I'm rebuilding mine, thanks for posting them!
CrashTestDummy
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Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 2:31 pm
Location: Pearland, Texas

Re: A look at what lurks under the hood of the V6 Caprice

Post by CrashTestDummy »

A cartridge oil filter in these times?!? Wow!

But yeah, GM must have invested in crude oil futures. When I changed the oil on our 2010 Tahoe PPV, I started getting concerned that I was going to overflow the drain pan. :shock:

I think that thing holds 8 quarts, and it's only a 5.3.
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
2012 Caprice 9C1
1992 B4C 1LE Camaro
2018 Tahoe PPV (her car)
1995 DGGM Impala SS
1985 Firebird - 310 LS1 C Prepared autocross car.
1980 Bluebird Wanderlodge
And some others
Do YOU have my SPID?
iefbr14
Posts: 38
Joined: Sun Oct 18, 2015 11:31 am

Re: A look at what lurks under the hood of the V6 Caprice

Post by iefbr14 »

More oil is better, isn't it? The oil in the pan helps remove heat, and you also get a booster shot of new oil additives from 7 quarts of oil.

A 7qt fill does present a problem with oil jugs only coming in 5 qt sizes.
CrashTestDummy
Posts: 2300
Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 2:31 pm
Location: Pearland, Texas

Re: A look at what lurks under the hood of the V6 Caprice

Post by CrashTestDummy »

Yup! About the time the oil vendors start packaging their bottles in 5 quart quantities, the car manufacturers start requiring yet more oil!! You can't win.
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
2012 Caprice 9C1
1992 B4C 1LE Camaro
2018 Tahoe PPV (her car)
1995 DGGM Impala SS
1985 Firebird - 310 LS1 C Prepared autocross car.
1980 Bluebird Wanderlodge
And some others
Do YOU have my SPID?
RedCentreBluey
Posts: 14
Joined: Sun Feb 26, 2017 5:33 am

Re: A look at what lurks under the hood of the V6 Caprice

Post by RedCentreBluey »

and here's the earlier (07) VE/WM Series 1 version. Note the Alloy intake plenum Top Manifold, and the different intake air box, which has a chamber for smoothing out air pulses, and then the variations in small plumbing.
There is also usually a pair of covers above each Cylinder Head, with a row of 'fingers' that rest on top of the manifold.

The oil filter is small, this engine would be a good candidate for a Frantz Toilet Roll filter system in bypass mode.

Also noteworthy, the P/Steer reservoir tank is the same part that has been in use since about 1985, only the hoses and mounts vary
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CrashTestDummy
Posts: 2300
Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2015 2:31 pm
Location: Pearland, Texas

Re: A look at what lurks under the hood of the V6 Caprice

Post by CrashTestDummy »

Well, it used to be that the major contaminate in motor oil was lead, back in the day we ran leaded gasoline. The second most-common contaminate is particulate carbon. Now that the lead's out, the filter capacity can be reduced, even with the extended oil change intervals the manufacturers use these days. Modern FI systems have better control over the fuel mixture, which greatly reduces the ingestion of carbon into the crankcase, especially when the engine is cold. Even good-working carburetor chokes would cause some carbon build up.
Gene Beaird,
Pearland, Texas
2012 Caprice 9C1
1992 B4C 1LE Camaro
2018 Tahoe PPV (her car)
1995 DGGM Impala SS
1985 Firebird - 310 LS1 C Prepared autocross car.
1980 Bluebird Wanderlodge
And some others
Do YOU have my SPID?
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