Hey guys,

Just picked up a 98 trans am and have been thinking about my future plans for it. I can get my hands on a lq4 shortblock with less 30k miles on it for real cheap. I saw TSP had a 408 rotating assembly for around 1800 depending on options, how much would I end up spending on pistons/rings/rods/bearings/bolts and just leave the stock crank in. Could it be that much cheaper? I am hoping for the end result to be greater than 450rwhp and then be set for a 100-150 shot. My searching for people building up lqx's only really pulled up this

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...dyno_test.html

Found others but they stroked to 408.

Seems like L92 Heads, L76 intake and a decent cam can get me there. Has anyone found a cam for this kind of setup that rockzorz my boxerz?

 

Expect to spend close to 1000 on proper machine work for the LQ block. Keeping the stock crank will save you the cost of a forged crank, and you'll be at less cubic inches.

 

I had a problem with mine and rebuilt to stock CI. Later I was pissed at myself becaue for not that much more I could have had 402/408 with way more performance.

 

stroke it

 

Since it is such a low mileage motor, would it be possible to get away with minimum machine work? TSP has 6.0 blocks for 750 blocks, is this fully machined, ready to be assembled?

 

Yes and No. Its a block from GM. Some just put internals in it and go with it and others will machine the block to make sure it's the way they want it.

The question is how much are you spending on the lq4? You also need to account for delivery or shipping.

If you buy that lq4 for say 300 and spend 200 on shipping you've saved $250 on the block. SO think about that as well. We have customers send their blocks in to us to use all the time. How much for the lq4?

 

I can get the LQ4 stock shortblock for 300. I guess the best thing to do would be to call the machine shops and get an idea what they would charge. For a low mileage motor what would you guys feel comfortable doing? Hone (Bore if needed), turn crank, align mains...?

 

All of the above if you want it done right, and set deck.