lowerthanyou00

iTrader: (8)

Hi everyone. I created this thread just to show people why the 1999-2000 LQ4 6.0L engine found in surburbans and trucks have issues. First let me get to the point, the major differences between the older lq4 and the 01+ lq4 is the cast iron heads, not a big deal for fitment. The crankshaft is longer on the older lq4s on the back where it bolts up to the flexplate. These engines were intended to be only hooked up to the 4L80e transmissions. The newer engines use either a spacer or a different flexplate for the 4l80e. I had this problem with a older camaro conversion i am workin on. We happen to be using a 01 4l60e out of a camaro, and found out that the torque convertor doesnt have room where it meets the flywheel. Where the torque convertor bolts up is in the same exact location as the ls1 but the ls1 flexplate dips in the middle to allow room for the convertor. Looking at this setup you cant change the flexplate on the LQ4 to make it work, you would have to find a aftermarket convertor that has doesnt protude past the mounting points. I know alot of the higher stall convertors are smaller but without playing musical convertors i dont know what would work. To make things easier i found a 2002 ls1 out of a camaro that some jackass rolled "because the ws6 thats was beating him cut him off" and hes apparently sueing the owner of the ws6, what an ***, but he was also dumb enough to sell me his complete ls1 with accessories and wiring for 900 bucks, and i took the convertor too since i had to pull it out. Now that these engines are side by side i can show you what i was talking about. Also because the crankshaft is longer you cannot bolt the newer Ls1 T56 trans to the Lq4.
Ls1 vs. Lq4

Lq4 Longer Crankshaft + Flexplate

Lq4 Flexplate view, notice its flat

Ls1 Shorter Crankshaft + Flexplate

Ls1 Flexplate, notice how it dips in to accommodate the shorter crankshaft and to allow room for the convertor

Ls1 Top view


So let me know if anyone finds a convertor for this, or even if a older 4l60 or 700 will work or even a lt1 t56. Hope this helped a little, i had to buy two engines to figure it out

WS6_Suicide_Machine

iTrader: (6)

So if you have an 01+ LQ4 you can bolt up a 4L60E correct?

jfman

iTrader: (6)

Why no use spacer between the trans and the motor? Is that possible?

WS6_Suicide_Machine

iTrader: (6)

ttt... looking for answers. will an 01+ LQ4 bolt to a 95 4L60E trans

G-Body

iTrader: (4)

Yes the 01+ LQ4 would have had a 4l80E trans so it will already have the required spacer and the flywheel should also bolt up.

lowerthanyou00

iTrader: (8)

just to make it clear, on the 99- 00 lq4 the spacer is not there, the actual crankshaft is longer. On a 01+ if you want to hook it up to a 4l60e, remove the flat flexplate and spacer and put on the 4l60 curved flexplate. Thats on newer 4l60s with the seperate bellhousing. I have heard that the older 4l60e needs the spacer and flat flexplate. Depends if ur pluggin the computer into the trans also since i think the newer lsx has a different connector than the previous 4l60

WS6_Suicide_Machine

iTrader: (6)

Thanks everyone.

and ive learned theres alot of expensive things to address to make an older 4L60E work with an 01+ LQ4.

Cheaper to just track down a newer 4L60E

Codprice

Heres the answer I got from performabuilt. Finally cleared things up since I havent gotten a straight answer from anyone...

'you will need to add the PWM solenoid and the late internal wiring harness to fool the PCM and change the 3-2 regulated downshift solenoid to the later style but the LSX pcm will operate the early trans just fine with these changes,
Frank at PerformaBuilt'

WS6_Suicide_Machine

iTrader: (6)

your on impala forum too. wonder how many people on there are on here too.

Codprice

probly more everyday since this swap is almost as economical as modding an lt1!

jfuegner

iTrader: (2)

will the t56 form a ls1 fit 01+ lq4 if so what pilot bearing clutch and flywheel should be used

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

yes, and stock 98-02 bearing and any 98-02 fbody clutch setup

mci007

I have the configuration this post talks about, I installed a 1999 to 2000 LQ4 6.0 Liter into my 2004 chevy Tahoe, and yes i ran into the same problem because the crank is longer, However, after spending over 3200.00 at AAMCO, I found the fix, There is a shop in Huntington beach, CA. that fixed everything up for me, This shop builds its own torque converters and does custom racing transmissions as well, "California Performance Transmission"
http://www.cpttransmission.com/
The owners name is Art Carr and this guy knows ALL.

They built my new torque converter and installed it in a day, I asked Art to save the spec's because i ran acrossed your post before i found the fix, so i thought i would share this info with you incase you still needed it.

The new torque converter cost me about 375.00 + Tax, so if you still need this fix call Art and he will fix you up.

mci007

Oh and by the way, yes you can use the stock flywheel or flexplate, just tell Art which flexplate you have.

WrensLawnCare

Ok guys I hate to bring up an old thread but I need some insight.

I have a 2003 Silverado 1500HD that has the 4L80E transmission that I need a motor for. I found a 6.0 out of a 1999 2500HD. Would I have the same issue or no?

Pocket

iTrader: (22)

The 99 6.0 will have iron heads which arent the best, but for a work truck you'll never know the difference

99-00 6.0's had an extended crank flange which was only compatible with the 4L80E which you already have, so drop it in and dont worry about it

ijimmy

art carr is the man

Chrome_Rust

iTrader: (4)

Just use the the correct flexplate for your engine. You will need the flat one with the 6 converter holes with no spacer. A.k.a the stock one that came on the 99-00 engine. Other then that its a bolt in affair.

ParkerTPIz

iTrader: (5)

im sure this situation has been discussed quite a bit...im still a little unclear

is there anyway to attach an ls1 4l60e to the 99-00 lq4s?

From what i've read the general concensus is "no" but i have also read that the flat flexplate will bolt to the ls1 converters/4l60es if you "elongate the bolt holes"..is this correct? and does this mean wallow out the tc mounting holes on the flexplate?

any insight is much appreciated. thank you

lowerthanyou00

iTrader: (8)

It's not a matter of bolts lining up, it's the crank is too long making its pushing the converter further into the trans. If you try to bolt it up you'll bust the bellhousing. Only way is to put in a newer shorter crank.