LQ4 in a 1967 C10 combo help
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 36
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From: Evansville, IN
LQ4 in a 1967 C10 combo help I can't stand the lack of power my 250 I6 c10 has so I think I'm moving forward with my motor swap this winter. Here's what I currently have:
1967 shortbed Stepside chevy half ton truck
2005 LQ4 complete with harness, ECM, etc w/50k miles
Matching 4l80e out of same chevy express van
TSP Torquer V3 cam (231/234, 641/598, 111LSA)
4-core radiator w/elec fan
Boyd under bed fuel tank with aeromotive 340 in-tank pump
Truck is to be a driver/weekend toy. Not my DD, but wouldn't mind driving it to shows a few hours away or a weekend trip. Basically i don't want to be afraid to drive it anywhere. I really want a t56 or tko but probably won't happen this go around since I want this truck back on the road this spring. Plus if I don't buy a ring/get married but spend a ton of money on this truck, I'll be living in it. Lol. So this is somewhat of a "budget build"
Here's a few options I've been toying with:
Throw cam in with matching valve train, 3200-3400 circle d stall, long tubes a tuner and call it a day.
Same as above but mill 317 the heads and maybe some head work.
Same as first but ditch the heads and go 243s
Some variation of above and ditch the cam for a better/custom one
Supporting mods such as TB, injectors, etc don't bother me and I'm not counting that just yet into my build as I know I'll more than likely need them. Really want to change the intake out mainly for aesthetics. Really like the holley mid-rise but from my understanding it only responds well to boost.
1967 shortbed Stepside chevy half ton truck
2005 LQ4 complete with harness, ECM, etc w/50k miles
Matching 4l80e out of same chevy express van
TSP Torquer V3 cam (231/234, 641/598, 111LSA)
4-core radiator w/elec fan
Boyd under bed fuel tank with aeromotive 340 in-tank pump
Truck is to be a driver/weekend toy. Not my DD, but wouldn't mind driving it to shows a few hours away or a weekend trip. Basically i don't want to be afraid to drive it anywhere. I really want a t56 or tko but probably won't happen this go around since I want this truck back on the road this spring. Plus if I don't buy a ring/get married but spend a ton of money on this truck, I'll be living in it. Lol. So this is somewhat of a "budget build"
Here's a few options I've been toying with:
Throw cam in with matching valve train, 3200-3400 circle d stall, long tubes a tuner and call it a day.
Same as above but mill 317 the heads and maybe some head work.
Same as first but ditch the heads and go 243s
Some variation of above and ditch the cam for a better/custom one
Supporting mods such as TB, injectors, etc don't bother me and I'm not counting that just yet into my build as I know I'll more than likely need them. Really want to change the intake out mainly for aesthetics. Really like the holley mid-rise but from my understanding it only responds well to boost.
Last edited by slowcpe; Aug 25, 2014 at 07:41 PM.
12 Second Club
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: 217
Since "Plus if I don't buy a ring/get married but spend a ton of money on this truck, I'll be living in it.", I'd put it together with the stock engine. Get it running and driving so you can enjoy it. Then save up the money to buy the matching parts for adding performance. Once you get married you will find that you are buying a new house or remodeling it. Women don't like our tastes in bachelor pads. LOL Then the truck project gets put on the back burner.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 36
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From: Evansville, IN
Thanks for the advice so far.
We bought a house a couple of years ago (well she bought a house, I bought a 32x40
) and I've got the money to do a mild build. However if I decided to do a full Porterbuilt suspension, billet wheels, 408 and turbo and she's still single; there may be some problems 
We bought a house a couple of years ago (well she bought a house, I bought a 32x40
) and I've got the money to do a mild build. However if I decided to do a full Porterbuilt suspension, billet wheels, 408 and turbo and she's still single; there may be some problems Since "Plus if I don't buy a ring/get married but spend a ton of money on this truck, I'll be living in it.", I'd put it together with the stock engine. Get it running and driving so you can enjoy it. Then save up the money to buy the matching parts for adding performance. Once you get married you will find that you are buying a new house or remodeling it. Women don't like our tastes in bachelor pads. LOL Then the truck project gets put on the back burner.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 36
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From: Evansville, IN
Came here for motor advice, didn't realize I'm stumbled into forums.marriagecounseling.com. Lol. Next post I guess will be to sell the project for a minivan or Prius. Lol
All kidding aside I guess I shouldn't have put the ring/marriage thing in as humor. It was suppose to be funny, not a focal point. I'm 37, been modding cars for 20 years, 10-year business owner and have a wonderful girlfriend of 4.5 years that is supportive of my hobbies.
The thought a spending the time to put a stock van motor into my truck makes me want to puke (please don't take that literally lol). I'm fine with putting a little money into it but not like $15k. If I spend $1-2k or so and get more power, better sound, and better combo it's money well spent to me. It'll make me happier.
I already have a full air ride setup sitting in the garage waiting for cold weather as well. It's a Porterbuilt Stage 2 setup with Accuair e-level.
Here's my Mustang i just sold. Had it for almost 13 years.
All kidding aside I guess I shouldn't have put the ring/marriage thing in as humor. It was suppose to be funny, not a focal point. I'm 37, been modding cars for 20 years, 10-year business owner and have a wonderful girlfriend of 4.5 years that is supportive of my hobbies.
The thought a spending the time to put a stock van motor into my truck makes me want to puke (please don't take that literally lol). I'm fine with putting a little money into it but not like $15k. If I spend $1-2k or so and get more power, better sound, and better combo it's money well spent to me. It'll make me happier.
I already have a full air ride setup sitting in the garage waiting for cold weather as well. It's a Porterbuilt Stage 2 setup with Accuair e-level.
Here's my Mustang i just sold. Had it for almost 13 years.
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12 Second Club
Joined: Jan 2014
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From: 217
Well..... Happy wife and finished projects do go hand in hand. LOL. Good luck with the swap. It sounds like it will be cool when finished. So, swap in your new cam and springs and grab the matching converter and get that truck going!
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On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2013
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looks like it will make a fun driver.
Have you called champ converters and asked them to spec you one? Reason I ask is there in Evansville and have always been priced right anytime I have bought one from them. Even had one behind a 1500hp blown 505ci bbc and never had an issue.
Have you called champ converters and asked them to spec you one? Reason I ask is there in Evansville and have always been priced right anytime I have bought one from them. Even had one behind a 1500hp blown 505ci bbc and never had an issue.
lsx swap good morning to all. a lq4 is a nice lsx motor to start with(stock). I luv the way it idles (stock). my lq4/th400 is swap is very thirsty. I did a cam springs, pushrods swap, b4 the engine was installed. my butt dyno says it feel like 425hp. the lq4 make close to 400hp and 400 ft/lbs in stock trim. this is just an estimate. either way you go, you will love the lsx power. good luck.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 36
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From: Evansville, IN
Thanks for the advice guys. I've basically decided I'm going to throw my cam in, necessary valvetrain, stall and shift kit and get it on the road. I've decided I'm going to learn how to tune and this will be a decent platform I think to tinker with. Plus a turbo may be in the distant future.
ken6881, I actually did not know champ was in Evansville. I had planned on Circle D but may have to give them a shout.
ken6881, I actually did not know champ was in Evansville. I had planned on Circle D but may have to give them a shout.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 36
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From: Evansville, IN
Yeah I'm with you on trying to keep it local. I tried that with local major suspension and transmission companies but they just seem to be a little on the high side. I will be giving champ a call though.
Tuning wise I'm more than likely going hp tuners. I've poked around their stuff and message board. Plus it would be nice to tweak my tahoe as well.
Tuning wise I'm more than likely going hp tuners. I've poked around their stuff and message board. Plus it would be nice to tweak my tahoe as well.
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 119
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I don't have any experience with HP tuners but have used efi live for duramax and Cummins diesel tuning I liked it pretty well just the licence thing gets old with every pcm, no experience gas tuning though with ether.