Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Ls2 v.s. Lq4

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 19, 2010 | 09:30 AM
  #1  
Baynut's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: CANADA
Default Ls2 v.s. Lq4

Hey guys, I've been looking for a an LQ4/4l80e for at a decent price for over a month now. The plan was to swap it in my 80 T/A drive it for a year, then go turbo. I came accross a screaming deal on an LS2 from a trlblzr SS with trans, ecm all that stuff (complete) for a few bucks more then LQ4's sell for around here. The compression is so high... but the braging rights and potential of an ls2 seem exciting, how's the tranny hold up? Just trying to pick your brains. I don't want to jump the gun just cause the price is good. Not to many turbo cars here and that is my future goal.

Thanks.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2010 | 09:44 AM
  #2  
chasgiv3's Avatar
9 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Default

I personally like the LQ4. The Iron block is a brick shithouse and it won't move around on you. I'm biased though since that was my choice of block.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2010 | 11:48 AM
  #3  
Jimbo1367's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 8,032
Likes: 661
Default

If you plan on turbo after a year, LQ4 it is.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2010 | 02:06 PM
  #4  
98SuperchargedLs1's Avatar
On The Tree
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Default

i was debating the same thing. i ended up buying the ls2 im also going turbo on mine. im only going to run 6 psi and should be around 500-550 rwhp which is ok for a ls2 motor. just read about all the ls2 vette/gto guys doing turbo and pushing more power then 550rwhp. just make sure you have a good tune.. and for trannies i bought a 4l80e and had it built. with a speartech harness
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2010 | 03:32 PM
  #5  
Baynut's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: CANADA
Default

I had my mind made up you see, on what I was going to do. But the price of the total pkg is less then some selling just an LQ4 or LQ9. I am also worried about the trans but if I keep the motor stock it should hold up ( I think) as these came matted together.

I just don't want to regret the purchase....but at the price, I can sell the motor when or if the time comes.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2010 | 05:33 PM
  #6  
bozzhawg's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 578
Likes: 4
From: REALITY
Default

Actually the SS Trailblazer with the LS2 comes with a 4L70E which is supposed to be even more stout than a 4L65E, the Trailblazer to have a slightly smaller cam and different intake(390HP) if my memory serves me correct..... Just do your homework on the 4L70E, the only problem I can see is that there is not a large mass production of the 4L70E unliKe the 4L65E and 4L80E.... The one thing people forget about the 4L80E is that yes its stout but also heavy, to the tune of 100lbz more than THE 4l60'S,TH350,200R4..... Its like the Danna 60 or a Ford 9" or even Allison, yes they are stout, but how much more weight and parasities are you willing to deal with..... And the performance 4L80E converters are not cheap at all.....$700+ for a half azz one..

Last edited by bozzhawg; Apr 19, 2010 at 06:11 PM.
Reply
Old Apr 19, 2010 | 05:49 PM
  #7  
NemeSS's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (127)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 6,889
Likes: 9
From: Houston,TX
Default

go with the ls2 and run as is.
when u go turbo. use ls9 head gaskets and swap on 317 heads with studs. problem solved
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2010 | 08:21 AM
  #8  
98SuperchargedLs1's Avatar
On The Tree
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Default

ya i know the 4l80e is heavy. which i know this has been gone over many times. even a built 4l60e will break where a built 4l80e will be hard to break. im not building a race car or anything just something thats going to be reliable and hold the power when i get on it. where if i had a 4l60e that was built id be scared to get on it alot.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Apr 20, 2010 | 01:22 PM
  #9  
bozzhawg's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 578
Likes: 4
From: REALITY
Default

Originally Posted by 98SuperchargedLs1
ya i know the 4l80e is heavy. which i know this has been gone over many times. even a built 4l60e will break where a built 4l80e will be hard to break. im not building a race car or anything just something thats going to be reliable and hold the power when i get on it. where if i had a 4l60e that was built id be scared to get on it alot.
I guess it depends on the intent and application..... But it was almost like guys use to say about the TH350/TH400..... Yes the TH350 is lighter, alot of guys used the TH350 do to its weight and less parasitic and the valvetrain vs the TH400.... I myself had 598LBz of torque on a TH350, with nothing more than a shift kit and converter, and I let it rip often.... So it so much more to it with relation to the valvetrain....

Shiiiiiit Like we say "I build em to blow"..... If I blow one, I'll go to the junkyard and buy another.... I am not going to pay a guy $3200+ for $4L80E from some of these blood suckers who rate their tranny's with HP ratings when the truth be told, its not HP that breaks em, it is the torque that tears a tranny and valvetrain up(marketing markeing marketing)....... Because HP is sexy to the public and alot of consumers.... When I look at dyno's(and I do not rely on them) let me see that torque curve, and then after that let me see that ET......

Thats enough of that, it wasn't personal to you bro, just getting off my chest....lol Good luck with the 4L80E... If I blow this 4l65E, or convert to a 4L80E, I will be the first to comeback and eat some smoked goat...lol
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2010 | 04:30 PM
  #10  
98SuperchargedLs1's Avatar
On The Tree
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Default

i never said there was anything wrong with the stock tranny i was talking about the 4l60e. i was going to do a 4l60e but then thought why spend the money on one of those when i can buy a 4l80e and not worry at all about it. and i could care less about weight, this is a full show car, airride, full custom stereo, stock ls2 motor with gt 40 turbo, full custom interior, 18/20 setup.. i know it all depends on how you push it and what your tq is. some trannys hold and some dont. it just depends if you get a good one or not
heres a couple pictures of my ride.

Name:  chevelle2.jpg
Views: 2212
Size:  28.0 KB
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2010 | 04:36 PM
  #11  
3.8redbird's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi Texas
Default

if you dont get it LMK i WANT IT
Reply
Old Apr 20, 2010 | 05:14 PM
  #12  
bozzhawg's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 578
Likes: 4
From: REALITY
Default

Originally Posted by 98SuperchargedLs1
i never said there was anything wrong with the stock tranny i was talking about the 4l60e. i was going to do a 4l60e but then thought why spend the money on one of those when i can buy a 4l80e and not worry at all about it. and i could care less about weight, this is a full show car, airride, full custom stereo, stock ls2 motor with gt 40 turbo, full custom interior, 18/20 setup.. i know it all depends on how you push it and what your tq is. some trannys hold and some dont. it just depends if you get a good one or not
heres a couple pictures of my ride.

I was just shootn the sh*t with ya bro.....
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2010 | 01:17 PM
  #13  
98SuperchargedLs1's Avatar
On The Tree
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
Default

i know i know.. and what do you mean if i dont get it you want it.. its been mine.. thats my 65 chevelle ls2 motor going in as we speak, gt40 turbo and built 4l80e and some other goodies
Reply
Old Apr 21, 2010 | 02:28 PM
  #14  
3.8redbird's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 0
From: Corpus Christi Texas
Default

was reffering to Baynuts post. If he doesnt get the TBSS LS2 and tranny
Reply
Old Apr 22, 2010 | 05:29 PM
  #15  
Baynut's Avatar
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
15 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: CANADA
Default

Thanks but at the price... I had to get it. I figure it's an awsome starting point and I could change it later and not loose any $ and have the swap set up. I've been out of the game for a bit so 400hp should be cool for now.

I like the idea of head swap when time comes for a turbo thank you.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:48 PM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE