Jim_PA

iTrader: (9)

First off, Hi - I'm Jim, and I am new here, and totally new to Gen3's. I've been messing with Gen1's for about 15 years though... (enough about that)

I'm swapping a 2004 LQ4 into my 68 C-10 Chevy truck, and the guy I was working with at Lunati recommended:

2200 - 6800 CAMSHAFT, GM LS VHRX278-12X 278/282 adv. 227/231 @.050 .651/.651 112/108 LSA/ICL

It's coming with the valvespring kit and new push rods, and I have a set of LS7 lifters I'm going to put in there while it's opened up.

Edit: Looks like I should do a new timing chain and oil pump before I drop it in the truck? Thoughts on that?

Is anyone with an LQ4 (or other) running this cam? Just wanted to get your impressions of it.

I am planning on keeping the rest of the internals stock for now. I keep batting around the idea of an intake swap, was thinking FAST??? But I want to avoid diving in too far since I have a lot of other spendy stuff to buy.

I'm going to be running a super T-10 4-speed trans for now, and will eventually look into a TKO or T56.

I've got a lot of learning to do... all these LS terms are like greek to me.

5.3LJimmy

iTrader: (10)

Most folks here run Comp cams and are more familiar with them, so you may not get a whole lot of replys. That cam looks good to me and should make good power with decent street manners. It depends on your goals and intended usage for the truck, but it should be a good all around cam.

I would highly recommend sticking an LS2 timing chain in there while you have the engine down. Being that you need to remove the oil pump to swap the chain it's cheap insurance to replace that as well. Make sure you get a new pick up tube o-ring if you do decide to replace the chain and/or oil pump.

The FAST intake is a nice piece but will likely cause some problems for you if you are using the truck accessory drive setup. The throttle body won't clear the idler pulley that is slightly down and left of the alternator.

Good luck with everything and welcome to the site!

LS1 Coupe

Lunati makes some good came without a doubt. Most cams I spec out are lunati for most of the builds I do, sbc and LSx motors. I have a slightly smaller 222/228 cam in my ls1 and runs great. The only thing I see on this cam is the lift and wonder how long valve springs would last. In setting these up I would certainly have someone check them over properly to make sure you are going to have proper clearence for the lift. Something that maybe a little bit better suited given this vehicle might be more of a daily driver would be the GM LS S/B VHR277-12 pretty much same specs just a little less lift .583/.600 to keep the driveline a little more stable. Running a 4spd stick with 3.73 gearing is going to keep your rpms up there if your cruising the highways. and valve springs will probally need to be replaced yearly and depending on your goals if this is going to be pretty much a daily driver and sporadic drag strip runs and looking for some economy driving try the lunati 60511, its a tad smaller 222/228 272/278 adv and .567"/.567" lift, layed down 385rwhp with a set of cheapie heads, headers, ls6 intake and ported TB. I am also using 373 gears with an A4 trans and getting about 24mpg.

DiabloFormula

iTrader: (58)

Look into the Lunati VooDoo line of cams, I also have the 222/228 60511, put down the numbers and track times in my sig onstock 90,xxx 806 LS heads and block.

Jim_PA

iTrader: (9)

Yeah, this is all toy -- I only put 10,000 miles on the last engine that was in there for all of 3 years. So, I'm not real worried about putting 30-40k on it.

So, LS2 timing chain (chain only??? from tx speed?), and just a LS6 factory replacement oil pump and o-ring?

5.3LJimmy

iTrader: (10)

Yes just the chain. The sprockets are the same but the chain is beefier than the stock piece. And yes to the LS6 pump and o-ring.

Jim_PA

iTrader: (9)

Awesome - still have to find 1 3/4 headers to fit - thinking about trying F-body... also have to figure out an engine mount system. The rest seems to be falling into place.

Thanks!

5.3LJimmy

iTrader: (10)

Check out www.brphotrods.com they have mounts and headers for 67-72 Chevy trucks.

someday

remember that the LQ4 compression ratio is also in the low 9's, so a big cam will hurt u more, especially with a heavy truck, where u need more torque... bring the compression up to 10-10.5, and use the above mentioned cam (222/228)

Jim_PA

iTrader: (9)

The cam is really bigger than necessary, but I'm planning for the future. If the future never comes, then I hope I don't regret what I bought too much

Sooo...

Here's the parts I'm seeing I need for the swap... Besides cam, springs, retainers, seals, LS7 lifters, pushrods:

LS2 timing chain
LS6 oil pump and o-ring
head gaskets (just stock replacement?)
water pump gaskets
timing cover gasket
valve cover gaskets


What is it I'm reading about LS7 lifter trays, and LS2 valley covers?? Is this applicable to me?

I'm feeling very lost by the way everything LS is all mixed and matched. I'm going to go hug my Gen1.

Is there anything missing on my list that I should do like the lifter trays and valley cover? And are there any other LS engines that follow the same cam swap procedure as an LQ4? I'm trying to find a walkthrough/how-to/pictures, etc. to study.

Thanks for the help.

DiabloFormula

iTrader: (58)

Are you in "PA" per your username?? Where abouts if so?

Jim_PA

iTrader: (9)

I'm from Elizabethtown. About 2 miles from Three Mile Island, actually...

SweetS10V8

iTrader: (4)

They make a truck intake too....(if your keeping the truck accessories)

I run the car version of this intake. Its the only way to go!



Everything is mix an match with Gen I engines too??? 283/327/350/400 right? LS's are the same, but have better parts... 4.8L, 5.3L, 5.7L, 6.0L (292/325/346/364ci)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_LS_engine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Vortec_engine

69LT1Bird

iTrader: (1)

Its not the only way to go.

He has 317 heads, a regular 90 or 92 FAST for LS1 cathedral port heads would be more than enough, an LS6 would be plenty.

You should put in new trays and new lifters, everyone calls them LS7 lifters but that is only because that was the first engine the current version was used on, they fit all LS based engine except DOD and LS9. Go to SDparts.com, they have killer prices on the trays and a set of lifters (about $125).

You will need head bolts too, they are one time use torque to yield bolts. SD has those too. Stock ones are fine.

Jim_PA

iTrader: (9)

well, yeah, but I know those are all one in the same The new nomenclature is confusing, and leads me to believe that not all parts interchange as in the SBC days.

So, LS1 90 or 92 cathedral port style would be a direct replacement, same injectors and all?

I have a new set of LS7 lifters (#12499225) I was going to use in my 383 build up that got canned, so I think I'm good there.

New head bolts will be added to my list. Do I currently have lifter trays in my LQ4? I will order a set of LS7 lifter trays and hopefully I'll be able to figure out what they do and where they go

What about a crank pulley bolt??? I have seen that referenced in other threads about cam replacements.

5.3LJimmy

iTrader: (10)

Nope. In order to use the LS1 style intake you need to swap to the LS1 injectors and fuel rail.

Yes those are the correct replacement lifters. It would not be a bad idea to replace the lifters since you have them, but it is not mandatory to do so. I wouldn't worry about it unless the engine has alot of miles on it. Now if you are pulling the heads to swap for some 243/799 castings or a ported head anyway then swap the lifters.

Yes. All LSX engines use lifter trays. They are located under the cylinder head and are what holds the lifters from spinning in the bore. No dog bones in the LSX world.

The crank bolt is also torque to yield and should be replaced once removed. Check out this site http://www.ls1howto.com/index.php?category=0 for some great write-ups with photo's of heads and cam swaps. That should give you a good idea of what you are up against and some visual aids to help you put a face to some of this strange new terminology.

Jim_PA

iTrader: (9)

It's all becoming a little more clear -- thanks again.

Jim_PA

iTrader: (9)

Well, anway -- almost 6 months later, it's alive so I thought I'd give myself some attention

watch video of it running here:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...0-lq4-t56.html

Isolde

iTrader: (4)

Which cam did you go with, and what are your impressions of it?

Jim_PA

iTrader: (9)

I went with this one:

2200 - 6800 CAMSHAFT, GM LS VHRX278-12X 278/282 adv. 227/231 @.050 .651/.651 112/108 LSA/ICL

It sounds good, but I haven't driven it yet.