buckner01

okay so i have a 94 firebird with an lt1 in it. runs great with like 85000 on the clock. i have just gotten a 2004 chevy express 3500 with a 6.0 lq4 motor in it. runs fine no issues, 142,000 on its clock. im trying to figure out the financial route to go here. do i keep the lt1, put some spray and a cam, and eventually heads.... OR..... to i go through with the swap, i know its an bit of a chore, but i know i can get it done. and that they are better engines. however, what would be the better financial decision. i would like to have an 11 sec. car before its done, and i know lq4 is gonna be easier to accieve, but also more expensive. and i can do many things with the lt1. But i could part out the van and almost pay for the cam stall gears and maybe some juice. what is your opinion and maybe cost of swapping in this motor. ive looked in conversions section and just get tangled around one thread to another. any input would be greatly appreciated.

fast

iTrader: (24)

this is an LSx engine biased site so keep that in mind
and I will agree that the LSx based engines are superior

but for a simple 11sec goal and LT1 is great platform

I was spraying my LT1 when it had over 100k miles

so compare it all out:
LT1 cam, gaskets, any other parts needed vs. the cost of installing the LQ4
will you do the wiring yourself? ... saves $

I'd start with a list of whats needed and compare cost

if it were me, I'd spray the LT1 while rebuilding the higher mileage LQ4 and do the swap later ... and spray it a little bigger

buckner01

isnt an lq4 more or less just an ls1 with an iron block?

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

An LQ4 is a 6.0l Ironblock, the LS1 is a 5.7 Aluminum block. Yea pretty much the same in a way, the iron engine has more displacement and ALOT more potential, and can be got for a nice price.

I'm currently using a LQ4 Block for my build.

As far as the swap goes.. you are going to spend some money on it..so it's a matter of how much you know and how much work you want to put into it.

buckner01

ive already got the running engine and a harness to start with. it looks like i can get 5.3 vortec heads and send them out i guess, put an aftermarket intake t/b and cam and make some serious power. what about the bottom end. Aside from a good ring and bearing job. for the swap i know i need a k-member, and some wiring, which if i know where the wires go ill do that myself, just gonna need a diagram.

buckner01

but the way it sounds its like the lq4 is a motor that can easily get into the 10s, where as the lt1 takes a good bit more work. is that correct?

the_merv

iTrader: (88)

I used Alldata for my Diagrams, I have it on my computer, for some reason it's not working at the moment.

An LQ4 can be built to get into the 10's easily.. mine was running like **** and it was at 11.1's.

Try to get the 317 Heads or the 243 Heads..the 317's come on the LQ4 already. They are the better Heads.

Here is my swap thread to help you..

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...to-95-z28.html

buckner01

the 317s are on there already? would i send them out and get some stuff done or......