3900 questions for off road rig

[300mann]

I have been looking for a small compact motor that still has some pep to it to get for a rock buggy I'm building and the 3900 seems like a good candidate.
From what I have read, the 3900 came out in 2006 but went to the fuel management of shutting off cylinders under light load in 2007. I don't believe that I want that feature being that its a rock buggy and will be under light load while crawling.

Looking on Wikipedia it seems like I should get the LZ9 as the LZ8 mentions the active fuel management which starts in 2007.
The part I'm confused on is the list of cars that has the LZ9 ranges from year 2006- 2011 with a bunch of different cars listed. Are all these motors the same or are there ones better than others? Do I specifically need to get a motor out of a 2006 to avoid the fuel management or do all the motors for the cars they listed under LZ9 not have that feature. If I do get a motor with the fuel management, can it be turned off or disabled with the computer?

Here is the Wikipedia link along with a list of cars that have the LZ9.
Thanks.

2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Sedan / Coupe / Convertible
2007 Pontiac G6 GT Sport Package Sedan / Coupe
2007–2009 Pontiac G6 GT Sport Package Convertible
2006–2007 Chevrolet Malibu SS
2006–2011 Chevrolet Impala/Monte Carlo
2006–2009 Buick Terraza/Chevrolet Uplander/Pontiac Montana/Saturn Relay
2009–2011 Buick Lucerne

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_High_Value_engine

[neophile_17]

I think that the answer may not be as simple as that. My experience is that GM sold the same car with different versions of an engine based on where (CA vs TN) and to whom (think fleet) it was sold. Assuming you're buying from a junkyard they should know which version they are selling you. Are you planning to use the stock PCM? Obviously if you go with an aftermarket computer you could lock the AFM off but then you would have to deal with the VVT phaser.

[300mann]

If I got the motor out of a junk yard then I would do a complete rebuild on it before using it so it might make more sense to get a crate motor if they have them without the AFM. I am unclear on the VVT, does AFM and VVT go hand and hand? I would get an aftermarket wiring harness and computer so I would hope they can program it how I would want. I'm mainly wondering what years and makes of cars have the 3900 without the AFM feature then go from there trying to find one.
Unless someone has a suggestion of a small compact motor with decent power and torque at lower RPM.
I'm also in CA
Thanks.

[caffeine]

AFAIK it's easy to delete the AFM if you get a motor that has it.

[neophile_17]

VVT came on all LZ* motors. It's full function has not been done on any aftermarket computer AFAIK. An on-off arrangement with travel limiters has been done and that is the approach I intend to take. I figure it will achieve 95% of the performance benefit with 1% of the effort. Maybe I'll give up 2hp in the mid range. As long as you get an LZ9 you shouldn't have to deal with AFM. The early versions of the LZ9 came with a variable length upper intake that hurts performance and adds complexity. Easy enough to replace if you end up with one.