Which engine to buy for the camaro?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Sylvester, ga
Which engine to buy for the camaro? I want to do the ls1 swap for my 68 camaro, however I keep reading about the 6.0 and how it can make so much more hp. I can get either motor for about the same $ so what should I go with. A LS1/4l60e combo or a 6.0/4l80e combo from a truck. Which one will be easier and cheaper? Which one will push the camaro down the 1/4 mile faster? Kinda a newb so be gentle.
The Intake mainfold of the Truck is higher (many run into hood clearnce problems).
Check with the 1st gen Camaro boys on Truck engine swaps.. maybe to look at the Accessories (A/C, p/s, alt).
The Oil Pan on the Truck has a deeper slump, you would want to swap that out for a f-Body pan or cut and weld up the Truck pan.
Check with the 1st gen Camaro boys on Truck engine swaps.. maybe to look at the Accessories (A/C, p/s, alt).
The Oil Pan on the Truck has a deeper slump, you would want to swap that out for a f-Body pan or cut and weld up the Truck pan.
I'm in the middle of doing an LS1/T56 swap in my 68 Camaro. There are two different truck motors--LQ4 and LQ9. LQ4 is the standard 6.0L truck engine with 300-325HP depending on the year. The LQ9 is the Escalade/Silverado SS engine with higher compression and 345HP.
For me, the choice was between LQ9 and LS1. LQ9's are harder to find than LS1's, and I would have had to get an engine and transmission separately if I went the LQ9 route (I had decided on T56 no matter which engine). I found a reasonable deal on a low-mileage LS1/T56 combo and bought it.
I'm in the middle of doing my swap. I just got the old 350/TH350 pulled this past weekend, and still need to replace my steering box and subframe bushings before I drop in the LS1. http://www.blown.net/ls1swap/
For me, the choice was between LQ9 and LS1. LQ9's are harder to find than LS1's, and I would have had to get an engine and transmission separately if I went the LQ9 route (I had decided on T56 no matter which engine). I found a reasonable deal on a low-mileage LS1/T56 combo and bought it.
I'm in the middle of doing my swap. I just got the old 350/TH350 pulled this past weekend, and still need to replace my steering box and subframe bushings before I drop in the LS1. http://www.blown.net/ls1swap/
Originally Posted by bczee
The Intake mainfold of the Truck is higher (many run into hood clearnce problems).
Check with the 1st gen Camaro boys on Truck engine swaps.. maybe to look at the Accessories (A/C, p/s, alt).
The Oil Pan on the Truck has a deeper slump, you would want to swap that out for a f-Body pan or cut and weld up the Truck pan.
Check with the 1st gen Camaro boys on Truck engine swaps.. maybe to look at the Accessories (A/C, p/s, alt).
The Oil Pan on the Truck has a deeper slump, you would want to swap that out for a f-Body pan or cut and weld up the Truck pan.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 187
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From: Sylvester, ga
How much hp can the LQ4 bottom end hold? Would I be better off to upgrade the stock heads or just buy a new set from patriot? I'm shooting for about 450 reliable hp and then dump as much NOS as possible. I'm thinking the 4l80 will hold the power a little better. Although there is the weight factor. Hell. Maybe I'd be better off to buy a LS1 and have it bored and stroked. That would come out bigger and better than the 6.0 right.
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TECH Resident
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 800
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From: Simi VAlley,CA
I'm doing a 6.0 (bored .040")to replace the 5.7 LS1 in my hot rod. I'm using the new L92 heads and passenger car intake with a little more camshaft. I expect it to make a fair amount of power which should make the old beast a little quicker.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Sylvester, ga
I can get the LQ4 truck block and 4l80e trans for about $3500. It's from a junkyard but comes with all accessories, wiring harness and computer. Right now I'm thinking of putting in new rod bolts,"probably ARP". New cam. Painless LS1 wiring harness for a 68 camaro. I'm guessing I can just have the truck computer reprogrammed. As far as the heads go should I have the stock ones ported and polished or just buy a aftermarket set? I believe the 4l80 trans should be strong enough stock. I will need a new converter and trans cooler. Maybe fuddle. Hope I'm going the right way in my thinking. I want to have a good weekend driver that will run in the 11's. The car has the suspension and tires, I just need a good engine combo. will this setup get me there?
TECH Resident
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 841
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From: Baltimore, MD.
When you're thinking about it consider a few things:
The alum blocks can't be overbored (more than about .005" to .010"). To go bigger requires cutting out the sleeves and going to Darton sleeves (about $2500 worth of work).
The iron blocks can be overbored (if needed) and are more rigid than the alum blocks (better material properties) which makes them better for high boost / N20 applications where you're starting to push the envelope.
Truck accessories and the truck intake may or may not fit in your 68. You need to figure that out. If they don't fit, why pay for them?
You should be able to get a complete 6.0L truck motor & 4L80E for less than $3500. I bought a complete '04 motor and trans in April for $2600 shipped. That didn't include the accessories (I needed C5 vette access anyway) or the harness (I bought a new harness to fit my application), but did include the PCM, MAF sensor, and a front driveshaft (an extra $100).
Not trying to say that $3500 isn't a good deal, but you need to make sure that you're paying for stuff you need.
'JustDreamin'
The alum blocks can't be overbored (more than about .005" to .010"). To go bigger requires cutting out the sleeves and going to Darton sleeves (about $2500 worth of work).
The iron blocks can be overbored (if needed) and are more rigid than the alum blocks (better material properties) which makes them better for high boost / N20 applications where you're starting to push the envelope.
Truck accessories and the truck intake may or may not fit in your 68. You need to figure that out. If they don't fit, why pay for them?
You should be able to get a complete 6.0L truck motor & 4L80E for less than $3500. I bought a complete '04 motor and trans in April for $2600 shipped. That didn't include the accessories (I needed C5 vette access anyway) or the harness (I bought a new harness to fit my application), but did include the PCM, MAF sensor, and a front driveshaft (an extra $100).
Not trying to say that $3500 isn't a good deal, but you need to make sure that you're paying for stuff you need.
'JustDreamin'
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Sylvester, ga
How big can you make the 6.0 iron block? Is there anyone that is racing with a 4l80e. I know they weigh more but the strength should be worth it. How long would that stock trans last with a 3600 or higher stall? The car will be running a 3.73 gear 9in with 28/10.50 slicks at the track. For the motor I'll try to get it bare and then buy ls1 accesories and the painless wiring harness for a ls1. Seeing how both computers will need to be reprogrammed should I go LS1 or truck pcm. I also just found another LQ4 for $1850 complete with harness and pcm. 4l80e for $800.
Last edited by 68LS1WANNABE; Aug 22, 2006 at 02:37 PM.
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From: Baltimore, MD.
Not sure on what the outer limits of the 6.0L block is, but I know they'll go to .030" out without too much worry. Beyond that, you're probably looking at sonic checking the block to ensure wall thickness.
There are some guys racing the 80E. You don't see all that many doing it because of 3 things: Weight, Cost, and racecars don't need overdrive (but streetcars do). Most guys who are serious racers are running TH400's because of cost, weight, and they only need 3 speeds in the quarter.
I paid $1200 for my LQ4 bare and $100 for the PCM. I think the PCM's are fairly interchangeable, but you ought to check with whomever will be doing the programming to make sure that you don't end up buying something you can't use.
'JustDreamin'
There are some guys racing the 80E. You don't see all that many doing it because of 3 things: Weight, Cost, and racecars don't need overdrive (but streetcars do). Most guys who are serious racers are running TH400's because of cost, weight, and they only need 3 speeds in the quarter.
I paid $1200 for my LQ4 bare and $100 for the PCM. I think the PCM's are fairly interchangeable, but you ought to check with whomever will be doing the programming to make sure that you don't end up buying something you can't use.
'JustDreamin'