Thinking about an LQ4 6.0L Vortec Engine swap for my Caprice
05-25-2004, 08:44 PM
#1
Teching In
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thinking about an LQ4 6.0L Vortec Engine swap for my Caprice First off, I want to say hello to all the members of this forum. You guys definitely have the skinny on the Gen 3 motor.
I have a 1977 2-door Caprice with a completely stock 350 sbc. The motor puts out 170 horses which is weak to say the least. I’d like to install a new engine and trans into my car. Seeing how the LQ4 6.0L Vortec engine is coupled to a 4L60E, it seems like a winning combination. I get the benefit of having a refined FI engine along with a trans that has an extra cog over my 3 speed slush box.
What I’m trying to attain is a mild but dependably powered daily driver. I have not been able to find anyone who has a car like mine that has performed this conversion so I figured my best bet would be to ask my question on this forum. I’m wondering about the feasibility of such a conversion to my car. I’m guessing some fabrication will be involved so my mig welder is on standby for a workout.
Just out of curiosity, are there any reputable shops located on the east coast that are geared for such a conversion? If the cost of such a project is not in the ozone, I may decide on having a performance shop go ahead with the installation.
Thanks in advance
I have a 1977 2-door Caprice with a completely stock 350 sbc. The motor puts out 170 horses which is weak to say the least. I’d like to install a new engine and trans into my car. Seeing how the LQ4 6.0L Vortec engine is coupled to a 4L60E, it seems like a winning combination. I get the benefit of having a refined FI engine along with a trans that has an extra cog over my 3 speed slush box.
What I’m trying to attain is a mild but dependably powered daily driver. I have not been able to find anyone who has a car like mine that has performed this conversion so I figured my best bet would be to ask my question on this forum. I’m wondering about the feasibility of such a conversion to my car. I’m guessing some fabrication will be involved so my mig welder is on standby for a workout.
Just out of curiosity, are there any reputable shops located on the east coast that are geared for such a conversion? If the cost of such a project is not in the ozone, I may decide on having a performance shop go ahead with the installation.
Thanks in advance
06-22-2004, 11:50 AM
#3
John - was your LS6 conversion a direct bolt in? I'm looking to put an LQ4 with a PT72 in either of my Regals. I'm wondering if the oil pan is the same as the LS1/LS6...common sense tells me no. Is the F-bod wiring harness better than the truck harness? Thanks.
06-25-2004, 10:09 PM
#6
Teching In
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
5"deeper yes. longer NO. Trust me I have done this. Plenty of camaro guys use the LQ4 shortblocks for their buildups. Check http://www.motorsporttech.com/fbody_engine02.asp
They probably wouldn't fit too well if they were 5"longer than a standard LS1
good luck,
Colin
They probably wouldn't fit too well if they were 5"longer than a standard LS1
good luck,
Colin
Trending Topics
12-30-2011, 11:10 PM
#9
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: waverly, ohio
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
i used a set of transdapt motor mount plates, and the gm performance RWD LS oil pan. it still hangs about an inch below the crossmember. i also used a set of f-body exhaust manifolds.
01-06-2012, 01:21 AM
#15
Teching In
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: St. Louis, MO
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
DO IT! lol
I've done lots of efi swaps on these b-cars. I know you'll love it.
Hell a 5.3 will kick *** with a nice axle ratio...
I put an 4.3 L99/4L60-E in my 77 impala.
Use a tank from late model TBI caprice and put a higher pressure fuel pump in it.
use stock pressure line and vapor line as a return. Use as little EFI fuel hose as you can. Use fuel injection rated high quality hose clamps, and flare all lines that connect to rubber hose....
For a dash, you can use a digital cluster from a 90s cutlass supreme. I had one working with all gauges except tach. (Some mid 90 digital dashes use a data line for the tach that was too hard to reproduce the signal for my car... This way you keep variable voltage and resistance gauges and don't require a class 2 connection to drive them. I may be a challenge to find the right sending units to fit the LS motors, but I'm sure its possible. There is a lot of space in there once you remove the dash, and you stick to the 90 ohm gas gauge and 4kppm speedometer, I'm sure you can find alot of dashes that will work in there... Other ones I looked at were cutlass ciera international gauges and olds touring sedan gauges. Or to be boring I'm sure you could modify a 94-96 caprice cluster... If you play your cards right, I'm pretty sure you could use a 700r4 driveshaft with your stock crossmember if you run a 4l65-E.
get the trans that goes with the motor, too if you can. The cost of getting the trans will pay for itself in gas money very quickly...
I've done lots of efi swaps on these b-cars. I know you'll love it.
Hell a 5.3 will kick *** with a nice axle ratio...
I put an 4.3 L99/4L60-E in my 77 impala.
Use a tank from late model TBI caprice and put a higher pressure fuel pump in it.
use stock pressure line and vapor line as a return. Use as little EFI fuel hose as you can. Use fuel injection rated high quality hose clamps, and flare all lines that connect to rubber hose....
For a dash, you can use a digital cluster from a 90s cutlass supreme. I had one working with all gauges except tach. (Some mid 90 digital dashes use a data line for the tach that was too hard to reproduce the signal for my car... This way you keep variable voltage and resistance gauges and don't require a class 2 connection to drive them. I may be a challenge to find the right sending units to fit the LS motors, but I'm sure its possible. There is a lot of space in there once you remove the dash, and you stick to the 90 ohm gas gauge and 4kppm speedometer, I'm sure you can find alot of dashes that will work in there... Other ones I looked at were cutlass ciera international gauges and olds touring sedan gauges. Or to be boring I'm sure you could modify a 94-96 caprice cluster... If you play your cards right, I'm pretty sure you could use a 700r4 driveshaft with your stock crossmember if you run a 4l65-E.
get the trans that goes with the motor, too if you can. The cost of getting the trans will pay for itself in gas money very quickly...
