Difference in a 17-19 and 2020+ engine?

eric9911

New member
Apr 21, 2023
4
0
1
Ashland ky
I bought a 2017 and when I changed my oil none of the oil filters for a 2017 would fit. I look up the filter that came off the truck and it's for a 2020. Nothing shows on the carfax and there's evidence of an engine swap. The truck has 36k on it.
 

1FastBrick

Well-known member
Dec 1, 2016
2,552
1,085
113
Junkyard
The oil cooler design was changed in 2020 and uses a different oil filter as you found out. Maybe the pervious owner felt he needed the upgrade for towing or something.
 
  • Like
Reactions: eric9911

eric9911

New member
Apr 21, 2023
4
0
1
Ashland ky
Thanks for the info. I'm thinking it has had a engine swap but nothing showing on the carfax. Very strange to me I can see evidence of a swap once I got a closer look.
 

eric9911

New member
Apr 21, 2023
4
0
1
Ashland ky
Yes it is. Idk if it's a good thing or bad at this point.
I can see marring on the frame, the harness isn't mounted up like it should be around the wheel wells and the engine is obviously much cleaner looking underneath compared to the transmission and everything else.

Is there anything else I can physically see to determine the engine is newer?

Thanks!
 

JoshH

Daggum farm truck
Staff member
Vendor/Sponsor
Feb 14, 2007
13,716
779
113
Texas!!!
I can't imagine a dealer using a 2020 motor in a 2017 truck.
 

1FastBrick

Well-known member
Dec 1, 2016
2,552
1,085
113
Junkyard
I can't imagine a dealer using a 2020 motor in a 2017 truck.
I would also agree.

IMO, I think it's more likely Some one experienced an engine failure for whatever reason and this is what was available at the time of repair.

Maybe it had a tune of some sort and It was denied a warranty claim. In case the OP is not aware, The new ECU's record the flash events as well as when it was flashed. This way a dealer or the manufacture could easily see it was modified and deny a warranty claim.

I recall another owner having a coolant clamp pop off on his L5P while towing and popped a head gasket and seized the motor. There where no signs or warnings it lost coolant it over heated and the engine locked up when he was trying to pull over. I think he was able to lemon law it and the new truck did the same thing only the 2nd time he was more aware of the issue and noticed something while in tow and pulled over immediately. Again no warning from the truck. Although he could have probably fixed it on the side of the road, He Had it immediately towed to the dealer in the fail stated so they could see what happened.

We have all heard the failed oil change stories as well.

So anything is possible...
 
Last edited:

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
21,691
5,848
113
Phoenix Az
oh the irony if this is the same truck

 

1FastBrick

Well-known member
Dec 1, 2016
2,552
1,085
113
Junkyard
oh the irony if this is the same truck

That would be interesting....

I couldn't find the other story I was thinking about So maybe I read it on another site.
 

1FastBrick

Well-known member
Dec 1, 2016
2,552
1,085
113
Junkyard
I found it on DP... but you have to log in to see the pictures. I was mistaken about some of the details and will edit my post accordingly.
 

08lmm72mm

Active member
May 13, 2019
537
168
43
Saskatchewan, Canada
I can't imagine a dealer using a 2020 motor in a 2017 truck.
Isn't a L5P a L5P no matter the year? I'm just assuming but wouldn't it be like my 08 lmm blowing a motor and the dealer putting a 2010 lmm in it? I would think until the engine code changes then it would be different but maybe gm changed it up i guess.
 

1FastBrick

Well-known member
Dec 1, 2016
2,552
1,085
113
Junkyard
Isn't a L5P a L5P no matter the year? I'm just assuming but wouldn't it be like my 08 lmm blowing a motor and the dealer putting a 2010 lmm in it? I would think until the engine code changes then it would be different but maybe gm changed it up i guess.
The basic long block is likely the same, How ever as noted the oil cooler and filter assembly changed from 17-19 Vs the 20-up.
I think there were some other minor changes under the hood as well. Like coolant lines or routing. I don't own one nor do I follow them so I am not in the know on all the details.

Maybe James or some one else that has one or works on them may know???
 

Chevy1925

don't know sh!t about IFS
Staff member
Oct 21, 2009
21,691
5,848
113
Phoenix Az
i dont have a 17-19 to compare to but there are differences like map sensor location and things like that. a fully dressed 17-19 wouldnt be plug and play in a 2020+
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1FastBrick