LQ4 build for boost
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 169
From: Locust Grove, VA
LQ4 build for boost So after much reading, lurking, and necromancy of threads ive made a desicion on how im building my newly aquired 6.0L LQ4 bare block i happend across for $150.
The engine will eventually be replacing my 98 TA's LS1 thats already running a gt4t turbod setup, thats got a built 4l65e, 3800 stall, 255 ractronic pump and hotwire, 60lbs injectors, and a full return fuel sytem with Boost referenced FPR.
i think i got my bases covered i think, but curious if ive missed anything?
********************************************
It's amazing what changes in nearly 4 years...
I'm not gonna delete my original intent just to see the difference in build with what I'm actually running.
After a COVID, a deployment, and trashed LS1, finally getting around to building and installing this thing, here's what I've gone with so far...
Stock 6.0L LQ4 with lightly flexhone cyclinders (crosshatched)
Stock Ls crank
4L80 to LS flexplate
Clevit main bearings
Stock gen4 LS rogen
Clevit rod bearings
Stock ls2 pistons
Sealed power 979K piston rings
Speedmaster Head studs tq'ed 25/50/75 passes
Stock 241 ls1 heads
BTR Ls9 head gaskets
Pac1218 valve springs
BTR ls7 lifters
Summit crank dampener
Texas speed 7.400 push rods
Summit pro stage 2 turbo cam 226/230
VSR 7875 GEN 2.5 billet turbo
Huron Speed T4 V3 turbo kit non AC, fender exhaust
1500cc (140lbs) injectors snakeaters backups)
Racetronic 340 dual pump kit with hobb switch
FAST 92 intake Manifold
Aftermaket fuel rail
racetronic boost ref. Fuel pressure regulator
8an ptfe fuel hose supply
6an ptfe fuel hose return
holly sniper 92mm TB
ls6 valley cover
6an hoses to sealed catch can for valley cover
10an hoses off both valve covers to vented catch can
Various ICT brackets and harware through out.
In this configuration, the LQ4 with ls2 pistons and 241 LS heads has a CR of roughly 10.5:1 before boost, using Texas speeds calculator.
If you plan to tackle this simular build here's a few things you'll need or want, or both lol
Tools and garage:
Jack and jack stands, or a lift if you got the room/money
LS crank balancer removal and install tools
Big breaker bar and/or a beefy impact wrench
engine hoist and stand, even if you're dropping it
flex plate locking tool
LS engine lift plate
The engine will eventually be replacing my 98 TA's LS1 thats already running a gt4t turbod setup, thats got a built 4l65e, 3800 stall, 255 ractronic pump and hotwire, 60lbs injectors, and a full return fuel sytem with Boost referenced FPR.
i think i got my bases covered i think, but curious if ive missed anything?
********************************************
It's amazing what changes in nearly 4 years...
I'm not gonna delete my original intent just to see the difference in build with what I'm actually running.
After a COVID, a deployment, and trashed LS1, finally getting around to building and installing this thing, here's what I've gone with so far...
Stock 6.0L LQ4 with lightly flexhone cyclinders (crosshatched)
Stock Ls crank
4L80 to LS flexplate
Clevit main bearings
Stock gen4 LS rogen
Clevit rod bearings
Stock ls2 pistons
Sealed power 979K piston rings
Speedmaster Head studs tq'ed 25/50/75 passes
Stock 241 ls1 heads
BTR Ls9 head gaskets
Pac1218 valve springs
BTR ls7 lifters
Summit crank dampener
Texas speed 7.400 push rods
Summit pro stage 2 turbo cam 226/230
VSR 7875 GEN 2.5 billet turbo
Huron Speed T4 V3 turbo kit non AC, fender exhaust
1500cc (140lbs) injectors snakeaters backups)
Racetronic 340 dual pump kit with hobb switch
FAST 92 intake Manifold
Aftermaket fuel rail
racetronic boost ref. Fuel pressure regulator
8an ptfe fuel hose supply
6an ptfe fuel hose return
holly sniper 92mm TB
ls6 valley cover
6an hoses to sealed catch can for valley cover
10an hoses off both valve covers to vented catch can
Various ICT brackets and harware through out.
In this configuration, the LQ4 with ls2 pistons and 241 LS heads has a CR of roughly 10.5:1 before boost, using Texas speeds calculator.
If you plan to tackle this simular build here's a few things you'll need or want, or both lol
Tools and garage:
Jack and jack stands, or a lift if you got the room/money
LS crank balancer removal and install tools
Big breaker bar and/or a beefy impact wrench
engine hoist and stand, even if you're dropping it
flex plate locking tool
LS engine lift plate
Last edited by JoshuaGrooms83; Aug 8, 2024 at 05:41 PM. Reason: Change in build direction
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 169
From: Locust Grove, VA
The eventual canidate
mains look to be in good shape
bores are pretty clean. need a crosshatch job, but if i wanted to do a sloppy junkyard build, i could slap in some stock lq4 rods and pistons in... which i have lol i almost did, but decided against it in favor of forged
cam bears are actually still intact
pile of goodies
317 heads
changing the springs over
the cam that was gonna go in the ls1, but decided just to build an entire engine 😁
ls9 gaskets
got myself a balancer puller and installer
still got more gaskets coming
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 169
From: Locust Grove, VA
this is a trial in patience and discipline right now lol I had gotten a set of LQ4 pistons initially, and they keep staring me in the face everytime I open my garage lol only thing keeping me from ring gapping and stuffing them into the block currently is I really want to send the engine out to get checked, cleaned, and 4.005 bored, and I really want to put new clean bearings on new clean forged internals on the stock crank. plus i still gotta get a dampener for when they balance it as well lol
getting the little stuff for now. love the delivery guy right now becuase almost everyday is a new car part 😁
getting the little stuff for now. love the delivery guy right now becuase almost everyday is a new car part 😁
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 169
From: Locust Grove, VA
Finally got it on the engine stand
better view of the 6.0L
some gen 3 pistons i picked up. wondering what to do with em
decided to clean them up and see if maybe...
the bores dont look bad. could use a hone.
just checking stuff out. pullong the old sensors out. who ever pulled the engine sheared off the oil sensor lol
slowly cleaning her up
man the oil rings were dirty!
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Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 169
From: Locust Grove, VA
Decided to test out the rings and see what they were in the bore. Looks like they are right in the turbo range... all of them. .027ish for all the rings, top and bottom.Starting to think i might start with either these pistons or see if i can snag gen 4 pistons. Waiting to see if an offer goes through.
i think for now, im gonna get it hot tank cleaned, checked, and honed, and then sloppy mechanic style, slap gen 4 rods/pistons, and stock crank back in it, and stick the turbo cam in it with 317 heads. Gonna shoot for 800rwhp range, so gonna need more fuel but i think i have everything i need currently to put this thing together.
with 317 71cc heads, lq4 6.7cc dished pistons and stock rods, ls9 .054 gaskets, and the 364 block, the compression ratio is 9.4:1cr, and add in a mild 226/230 cam, and 15psi of boost with 80lb injectors, a walbro 450 pump, methanol injection, .... i think i have decent start
i think for now, im gonna get it hot tank cleaned, checked, and honed, and then sloppy mechanic style, slap gen 4 rods/pistons, and stock crank back in it, and stick the turbo cam in it with 317 heads. Gonna shoot for 800rwhp range, so gonna need more fuel but i think i have everything i need currently to put this thing together.
with 317 71cc heads, lq4 6.7cc dished pistons and stock rods, ls9 .054 gaskets, and the 364 block, the compression ratio is 9.4:1cr, and add in a mild 226/230 cam, and 15psi of boost with 80lb injectors, a walbro 450 pump, methanol injection, .... i think i have decent start
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What you orig planed is identical to my 6.0, even the Summit stg 2 cam. If your going with plan B, I would at least install new rings, cam bearings (if they hot tank it you will need them).
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 169
From: Locust Grove, VA
Nice! i look forward to trying out this summit cam. I have new cam and main bearings on standby and I'm gonna get new rings too since they are cheap enough anyway.
I decided on a more stock bottom end with gen 4 rods and pistons as im keeping the power a tad more modest around 800hp. it will also allow me to better afford a slight larger but not nearly as big turbo for a 1000hp build. my gt45 is huffing pretty damn good with the ls1, and its good for about 700. I'm thinking a s475 or s480 will be the next step for the 6.0L and keeping the rpms to about 6500ish.
I decided on a more stock bottom end with gen 4 rods and pistons as im keeping the power a tad more modest around 800hp. it will also allow me to better afford a slight larger but not nearly as big turbo for a 1000hp build. my gt45 is huffing pretty damn good with the ls1, and its good for about 700. I'm thinking a s475 or s480 will be the next step for the 6.0L and keeping the rpms to about 6500ish.
Last edited by JoshuaGrooms83; Aug 22, 2020 at 09:25 AM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 169
From: Locust Grove, VA
got a set of 4th gen LQ4 pistons and rods today for pretty cheap. gonna hold the gen 3 lq4 piston and rods for backups or if something else comes up.
set of 4th gen lq4
lq4 with valve relief on the left (im assuming DOD) and a LQ9 flattop with gen 4 rod on the right. Im actualy gonna replace the dished pistons for flat ls2/lq9 pistons. this will keep my compression at 10.1 w9th 317heads and keep low rpm/no boost tq up while also utilizing the better flow of 317 heads. the floating pins make swapping a lot easier
got 9 in the box lol and i bougt the flat top one by accident on ebay. so if i was trying to build a v10 i'd be close to something lol at least i have a spare set of rods just in case.
Last edited by JoshuaGrooms83; Jan 3, 2024 at 06:32 PM.
9 Second Club
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Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 169
From: Locust Grove, VA
I'm curious what people recommend on these rings? I've come across hastings rings for like $84 which isn't bad. I keep coming across that Moly rings might not be the best option though for boosted engines due to flaking if they get too hot. this is one of those pandoras box topic I'm sure but lol , any recommendations?
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Is that an optical thing or is the coolant passage blocked?
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 169
From: Locust Grove, VA
Oh for sure, I'm holding off on anything else until I get the block cleanup and at the least honed, but if i have to get bored this will change a lot of what i will do then. The picture is just over exposure, might have had the flash on. The coolant passages could use a serious descaling/hot tank, but you can see through them. that top section is just me too close with a cell phone camera lol but its still pretty grimy in there.
Like I said, gotta get it to the machine shop to have them check it out.
Like I said, gotta get it to the machine shop to have them check it out.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 169
From: Locust Grove, VA
ls2 piston waiting to go. swapping ls2 pistons over onto gen 4 rods. swapping piston rings is sooooo tedious lol but allows me to check and gap rings so its necessary.
4 stuff into one bank. (the new rings were .030 and .026 so I left them alone)
last couple to go into the engine. the BTR 4.0" piston guide was a huge help!!! piston slide in almost too easy lol had to reseat a few rod cap bearings from moving too fast lol (rods take 15ftlbs first pass and then 83degrees second pass, but 90 degrees or 51-55ftlbs according to Matt from Sloppy works)
summit stage 2 turbo cam about to find its new home
some covers and stuff lol seals actually went on alot easier than i thought they would on the front and rear covers.
had to get a bunch of ict bolts since the block was bare. so it looks pretty fancy lol
cam in. lubed with assembly lube, cloyes timing set with ls2 chain. #1 top dead center and dot to dot on gears.
ls7 lifter.... probably china lol
ls2 oil pump and put some assembly lube inside it.
guides and lifters ready to go with some lube
buttoned up top to keep stuff out. stock valley cover
stud guide i used for the different lengths.
studs all pre staged
studs all set
rear cover set
Main caps 15ftlbs 1st pass, and then 45degrees second pass (it's actually 53) and then 18ftlbs on the side cap bolts.
tube brace. blue gasket ring is on the tube.
oil pan... did you know there were long ones in the back lol
all buttoned up
filled with fogging oil and used to keep out moisture and dust.
sooooooooo dumbass moment. make sure to put the barbell in BEFORE you put the rear cover on thats on an engine stand 🙄
called it a day but other than the oil barbell not a bad start for my first ls/lq engine build, casualy in my garage on a nice may afternoon. was also nice to clean out the garage from random parts laying around everywhere lol be nice to have all the engine parts ON the engine and on the engine stand lol
Last edited by JoshuaGrooms83; Dec 24, 2023 at 09:48 AM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,127
Likes: 169
From: Locust Grove, VA
finishing buttoning it up
closing up the holes for storing it
not too bad for my first slap together. i gotta find the right studs though. these are not the right ones.