LQ4 SBE Prep
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Joined: Dec 2013
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From: Newburgh, NY
LQ4 SBE Prep Ok, before you all say "go search newbie"...I've been ALL over a TON of forum site (YB, Sloppy (Denmah), LS1T, TurboB, etc.) looking for a simple answer. I have an '06 LQ4, 111K, truck intake, etc...great platform to boost...But I have ONE question. If I plan to build a SBE 76mm Turbo (80#-gas or 120#-e85 inj) MS3 or Stock ECM-HPT, TH400, etc....DO I NEED TO RE-GAP THE RINGS AND CHANGE THE BEARINGS or can I JUST CLEAN THE SBE UP (in otherwords not take it apart beyond the heads) and get away with the gains we all know are possible?? This assumes the SBE has no leak down concerns or other obvious/tell-tale issues... And I run a 408BBC w/single plate that makes 1100HP+ FW, so rebuilds are nothing new but damn, I'd like to skip a step if I could, plus i hear factory SBE are put together so well, if it aint broke dont fix it.....guidance here would be most welcome.
The engine in my sig is stock 2007 LQ4 shortblock with 67,xxx on it when it was installed. All I changed the cam, lifters, guides, oil pump, pan, LS9 head gaskets n ARP head studs. I also went to 243 heads instead of the stock 317's to up the comp a little. Im running 12.5 - 13#'s on 93 and 100% meth with a single M15 nozzle and siemens 60's. Im spinning it to 6800 RPM in 3rd to keep from running out of gear across the finish line. 1st n 2nd get 6500 RPM shifts. Tuner said it will be fine like it is. It runs great with no KR and Im 10.2:1 or so.
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if you plan on maxing it out do it right the first time and check it all out and go with ls9 gaskets ect.ect.. but if boost in the low/mid teens is enuff. it will be fine.
we are running an 03 lq4 in my brothers Silverado and it has a spring upgrade only . all untouched except blue springs. and it has ran flawlessly . 11.40 at 123mph at 10 # boost and 4300 lbs last fall. and it is at 14 # boost now and e85 and will go in the 10s soon with some suspension work. still 4300 lbs with driver. they are tuff.
we are running an 03 lq4 in my brothers Silverado and it has a spring upgrade only . all untouched except blue springs. and it has ran flawlessly . 11.40 at 123mph at 10 # boost and 4300 lbs last fall. and it is at 14 # boost now and e85 and will go in the 10s soon with some suspension work. still 4300 lbs with driver. they are tuff.
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From: Colorado Springs, Co/ Central, Ca
100k + miles. If things look good id run E85 and let it eat. Engine in my truck started out as a 96k mile 06 lq4 and has never had a rod cap or piston removed. Runs on 91 oct and meth inj. Has Arp studs, ls9 gaskets, mild head clean up, Isky single valve springs, stock pushrods, and JFR triple 12 cam.
Just my own thoughts, your results may vary, lol
If you knew the engine, like out of your own wrecked truck or fire victim, prob run as is, cam & springs
Unknown, myself I would prob look at it-bearings are cheap, even rings, or at least ck a couple gaps-maybe add a shim under the oil pump spring, hand lap the valves, add springs-rings seem to last a long time on these engines
I guess you have to figure in the amt. of work to pull the engine if its a dud, and whether you could have prevented it with a days work
Most engines I have bought they were out, mileage was unknow
One "supposed" low mileage 05 5.3 I bought turned out to be an 03, and was a disaster waiting to happen-prob more like a million miles with no oil change, lol
Pulling an engine with a lot of plumbing is a PITA-I prefer to be cruising
If you knew the engine, like out of your own wrecked truck or fire victim, prob run as is, cam & springs
Unknown, myself I would prob look at it-bearings are cheap, even rings, or at least ck a couple gaps-maybe add a shim under the oil pump spring, hand lap the valves, add springs-rings seem to last a long time on these engines
I guess you have to figure in the amt. of work to pull the engine if its a dud, and whether you could have prevented it with a days work
Most engines I have bought they were out, mileage was unknow
One "supposed" low mileage 05 5.3 I bought turned out to be an 03, and was a disaster waiting to happen-prob more like a million miles with no oil change, lol
Pulling an engine with a lot of plumbing is a PITA-I prefer to be cruising
Every high mileage engine I've taken apart has had a crazy amount of carbon in the ring lands. I'd pull the pistons just to clean that out. Then check the gaps while your there.
Most of the high mileage stuff has been fine gap wise. Usually .022 or wider on the top. A few random rings have been as tight at .016-.017 on the top ring though. Prob fine for e85, but if your running pump gas/race gas and a decent amount of boost that would make me nervous.
Same deal with the bearings. I take a quick look to make sure there's no damage and put it right back together. Never hurts to check IMO.
Most of the high mileage stuff has been fine gap wise. Usually .022 or wider on the top. A few random rings have been as tight at .016-.017 on the top ring though. Prob fine for e85, but if your running pump gas/race gas and a decent amount of boost that would make me nervous.
Same deal with the bearings. I take a quick look to make sure there's no damage and put it right back together. Never hurts to check IMO.
The only other thing I can add to Forcefed86 is this:
I am in the exact same boat. I pulled apart my 96,xxx mile '03 LQ4 at the urging of a friend. It had nice clean bearings in it both rods/mains. I did find 1 cam bearing showing wear, so I had it tanked, cam bearings changed, and bought Cleavite std bearings for replacements. I bought Moly rings (can't remember brand). The rings came in at .022 gap. My mains were .015-.017 and since I am boosting this, I wanted it a bit looser. My rods fell in at .021-.023.
We stuck my buddys Sealed Power std bearings in it, and they are much looser, they fell in at ~.023-.025. I am going to buy a set like he has.
I am in the exact same boat. I pulled apart my 96,xxx mile '03 LQ4 at the urging of a friend. It had nice clean bearings in it both rods/mains. I did find 1 cam bearing showing wear, so I had it tanked, cam bearings changed, and bought Cleavite std bearings for replacements. I bought Moly rings (can't remember brand). The rings came in at .022 gap. My mains were .015-.017 and since I am boosting this, I wanted it a bit looser. My rods fell in at .021-.023.
We stuck my buddys Sealed Power std bearings in it, and they are much looser, they fell in at ~.023-.025. I am going to buy a set like he has.
heres another aspect to this- if you open it up, your going to find something that bothers you, and then your going to start replacing stuff, and then your going to be into the block a bunch of money when you should have just left it alone because it ran mint in the donor vehicle you pulled it from.
LOL, it happens to me all of the time
LOL, it happens to me all of the time