Noob questions
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Teching In
Joined: Jun 2022
Posts: 7
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Noob questions New to the LS forum. I am looking to put an LS in an old corvette. My goal is NOT to have a 1000 hp motor but would like something cool to show off with some nice torque. I am leaning toward truck motors mainly for cost and availability but will obviously swap out the truck intake and will probably have my engine builder freshen up—I know these things can go 200k miles but would rather address now vs later. I am leaning towards two (maybe 3 options).
The first is an LQ9 4L65E setup—my main question here is do I need to find a 2WD Escalade or is it simply removing the transfer case with the trans being the same.
The other option I am considering is an L33 ONLY because of it being an aluminum block. Are these unicorns and I shouldn’t hold out for finding one?
I am leaning away from Gen IV engines to avoid AFM/DOD.
If I am going to use an aftermarket wiring harness, do I need the truck harness? Not sure I want to try to sort through the harness myself and if I am going to pay someone, why not just get an aftermarket? Not sure I fully understand the cost associated with this.
This is the early planning stages so any additional thoughts? There are a ton of engine paths to take but I am likely focused on the LQ9 unless you can convince me otherwise.
Thanks
The first is an LQ9 4L65E setup—my main question here is do I need to find a 2WD Escalade or is it simply removing the transfer case with the trans being the same.
The other option I am considering is an L33 ONLY because of it being an aluminum block. Are these unicorns and I shouldn’t hold out for finding one?
I am leaning away from Gen IV engines to avoid AFM/DOD.
If I am going to use an aftermarket wiring harness, do I need the truck harness? Not sure I want to try to sort through the harness myself and if I am going to pay someone, why not just get an aftermarket? Not sure I fully understand the cost associated with this.
This is the early planning stages so any additional thoughts? There are a ton of engine paths to take but I am likely focused on the LQ9 unless you can convince me otherwise.
Thanks
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,034
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From: Seattle
Welcome man!
The aluminum 5.3's are getting pretty hard to find depending on your area, and do go for a premium over say the LM7, which are plentiful in relation. You can delete AFM/DOD if you find a good deal on a Gen4, pretty simple deal there.
If you use an aftermarket harness, like say the Terminator X Max, that will just control the engine and the trans, so you will still need to thin out/sort through your cars harness if you want to remove all the stuff that would be redundant. If you find the right engine, make sure it does come with the harness just in case, you can always toss it later, but getting an OE harness after the fact isn't easy.
The aluminum 5.3's are getting pretty hard to find depending on your area, and do go for a premium over say the LM7, which are plentiful in relation. You can delete AFM/DOD if you find a good deal on a Gen4, pretty simple deal there.
If you use an aftermarket harness, like say the Terminator X Max, that will just control the engine and the trans, so you will still need to thin out/sort through your cars harness if you want to remove all the stuff that would be redundant. If you find the right engine, make sure it does come with the harness just in case, you can always toss it later, but getting an OE harness after the fact isn't easy.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,645
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I built a 71 C3 LS1/4L60E combo some years back. Stock LS1 and a built 4L60E. Was a great swap. Fits easily. Even if you go LQ9 it be lighter than a SBC. If you go LQ9 you can use L92 heads.
Small cam and headers along with a good tune you will be close to 400 rwhp.
In my C3 I had 3:73 gears. Great combo with the 4L60E.
If staying with a fairly mild engine combo and a GEN 3 LS (like the LQ9) I like and use an aftermarket engine harnesses. I've used both Speartech and Howell with very good success. Gen 3 LS engines only need one ECM for the engine and trans.
Small cam and headers along with a good tune you will be close to 400 rwhp.
In my C3 I had 3:73 gears. Great combo with the 4L60E.
If staying with a fairly mild engine combo and a GEN 3 LS (like the LQ9) I like and use an aftermarket engine harnesses. I've used both Speartech and Howell with very good success. Gen 3 LS engines only need one ECM for the engine and trans.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 468
From: Seattle
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TECH Fanatic
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,467
Likes: 265
From: Bossier City, Louisiana
If you find a drive by wire throttle body engine, don't forget to get the gas pedal and TAC module from the donor. And buy your wiring engine harness accordingly - drive by cable or drive by wire. And stick with Holley engine swap parts, especially if looking for donor truck motors. Their engine mounts and oil pan makes this so much easier. I'm even running their Blackheart headers - fit perfectly no hammers needed, no bad words spoken during installation.
Rick
Rick
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Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 72
Likes: 13
If you can find a lower mileage Gen IV it's easy to eliminate the DOD/AFM in the tune and keep the original valve train. Gen IV has returnless fuel line. The Gen IV has a bit more stock HP. The ECM's are smaller for a neater appearance. Brake pedal signal is a simpler set up than Gen III. Gen IV has no TAC module.
You can't convert a 4wd trans to 2wd without spending money to tear it down. If you find 4wd donor for the right price you can buy a good used 2wd trans separately. Get the same model/year trans as the 4wd donor in a 2wd version so wiring and computer are the same.
You can't convert a 4wd trans to 2wd without spending money to tear it down. If you find 4wd donor for the right price you can buy a good used 2wd trans separately. Get the same model/year trans as the 4wd donor in a 2wd version so wiring and computer are the same.
Welcome to the forums. You do not want a 4x4 trans. The cost to convert it to a 2wd is substantial because the entire trans has to be be torn down to swap the output shaft out.
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 180
Likes: 16
LQ9 and 4L65E sounds just like what you need, no need to look any further! Plentiful, good power.
As for the harness, go with the OEM harness: at least you know for sure it will be the correct one for your combo! Have it modified and the computer re-programmed by a specialist (Speartech is excellent, very helpful), and you are set, it is really plug-and-play!
One good way to go is always to buy a donor vehicle (pick up, Tahoe...) and get everything you need for your swap (including little things like fuse box, relays, ...).
A few years ago, I have found an LQ9 with 10,000 miles on it, a trans with 8,000 miles on it: look around a bit, you will not even need to have it rebuilt!
As for the harness, go with the OEM harness: at least you know for sure it will be the correct one for your combo! Have it modified and the computer re-programmed by a specialist (Speartech is excellent, very helpful), and you are set, it is really plug-and-play!
One good way to go is always to buy a donor vehicle (pick up, Tahoe...) and get everything you need for your swap (including little things like fuse box, relays, ...).
A few years ago, I have found an LQ9 with 10,000 miles on it, a trans with 8,000 miles on it: look around a bit, you will not even need to have it rebuilt!
Launching!
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 248
Likes: 100
Get a harness off Amazon for $230-$250. Or ebay for less than $200. I just choose amazon harness because theyre easier to return if needed. Get a ready to go red/blue computer off ebay for around $150. I do LS swaps from home. I just posted a video of a square body im doing and my first video shows a parts list. This parts list works for any swap aside from fuel pump and given youre swapping a car, a truck intake probably wont fit.
If you PM me, I can help you better with more specific parts for your car. Speedtech and ICTbillet are your best and cheapest options. Stick with gen 3 engines and transmissions. Makes first time swaps MUCH MUCH MUCH easier.
If you PM me, I can help you better with more specific parts for your car. Speedtech and ICTbillet are your best and cheapest options. Stick with gen 3 engines and transmissions. Makes first time swaps MUCH MUCH MUCH easier.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,645
Likes: 526
My current LS swap project is a 80 Camaro with a 2012 6.2. I deleted the VVT. It didn't have DOD. Added a small cam and dressed it with the intake from a LS3 Corvette. I'm running a built 4L60E from a local trans builder. I bought the 4L60E core from the builder. 2800 stall Yank converter. Bought the engine harness and TCM and ECM from Howell. Super easy to tune. Normally I would have it chassis dyno tuned but the local guys are booked thru the end of July. So I'm doing a mail order tune.
I am going to throw one thing in here. If your starting fresh, get a 4l80e trans. Stay away from a 60. They are just poorly designed, are physically clutch wise not large enough to handle power without upgrades, and all kinds of non sense. A stock 80 in good shape will give you years and years of trouble free service.
Launching!
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 248
Likes: 100
I am going to throw one thing in here. If your starting fresh, get a 4l80e trans. Stay away from a 60. They are just poorly designed, are physically clutch wise not large enough to handle power without upgrades, and all kinds of non sense. A stock 80 in good shape will give you years and years of trouble free service.