Bowtie316

iTrader: (1)

Okay, so here is what I have going on. I am building a 46 studebaker pickup "Thread Here", will mainly be a cruise night truck but will see occasional autocross use as well as drag strip passes. I don't plan to be competitive but I would like it to have good manners in the autocross and run mid to high 11's in the 1/4 mile with sticky tires. Eventually I think I would like to put a i/c magnuson or twin screw on this thing so i would like to choose parts that will work N/A or supercharged. Here's where I need help.

Goals
N/A 375rwhp
Supercharged 500rwhp

2000 5.3/4L60E

Heads-Stock 5.3, For my goals, will I need to upgrade heads??? I think I will be close.

Cam- Thinking 01 Ls6 cam, 204/212 and .523/.522 on 116 lsa, will this allow me to meet my N/A and FI goals?

Intake-Planning to stick with the truck intake for N/A, then magnuson later.

Headers- I am currently fabbing up my own long tube headers, 1-5/8 primary, 3" collectors. In hind sight, I probably should have went with 1-3/4 primaries but it's too late now. Will the 1-5/8 primarys keep me from meeting my goals?

Engine internals- Will I need to upgrade headgaskets, head bolts/studs, rod bolts, or increase ring gap to meet my goals?

Are these goals achievable with the 5.3? or will I need to go to 5.7 or 6.0?

Thanks for any and all help.

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

Intake - either ls6 or FAST

Def upgrade as much as you can on your bottom end. Good bolts and gaskets should be common sense especially with a FI future.

Id swap out the 5.3 heads in favor of some 317s. They have a larger chamber to help keep your compression down, and they are pretty good ported.

Cam, I think you can do better. Either aftermarket, or maybe the ls9 cam since it is a supercharged engine to begin with it would probably compliment your build later, at least better than the other cams.

garygnu

you will need a better cam.build it for FI if you are going to spend money on a super charger .also consider a turbo set up.

Bowtie316

iTrader: (1)

Wow, quick responses, thanks for taking the time.

Ok, bolts and gaskets, now since I'm going to have the heads off for gaskets I should look a little closer at heads. 317s look good but it seems like I would be giving up power atleast in N/A form. Perhaps I'm asking to much from this 5.3 for dual purpose N/A and FI.

I'd really hate to shell out the money for a fast or LS6 intake just to yank it off to put a supercharger on in a few years.

I know there are better aftermarket cams, but I'm wanting this to have very good throttle response and low-midrang torque, is 375rwhp too much to ask from a 5.3 with these standards? If so I probably need to look at 5.7 or 6.0.

Sounds like I should go bigger on the cam for N/A, will I need all forged internals at this power level? I have done a turbo build before and loved it, It's just not what I'm looking for on this build. I have been thinking supercharger from day one, can't get my mind off of it.

garygnu

a stock lq4 would be a good start with its lower compression,the stock rotating would handle 500+rwhp .it will make 375 rwhp NA with the correct blower cam .get the cam from the company that you buy the super charger from,or have custom cam ground.

Bowtie316

iTrader: (1)

Okay, I'm searching for a reasonable LQ4 or Lq9 engine, but I am still entertaining sticking with the 5.3 just to see what it will do.

Would 320-340 rwhp be easily achievable with the N/A 5.3 w/ cam, exhaust and tune?

How about 450 rwhp with the 5.3, same N/A cam, and a maggy?

Bowtie316

iTrader: (1)

This project has changed a bit in the last month. I now have a 2002 LQ4 that I plan to use and I have kindof ditched the idea of building the longblock to be blown later. It most certainly be blown someday, but will probably build a completely different motor. So with that said, If you wouldn't mind reviewing my current plans and giving feedback on the NA setup.

Vehicle is approx. 3000#
Goal- Approximately 375rwhp with stock stall 4L60E, near stock driveability, with gobs of midrange power. Max 6000 rpm.

2002 LQ4 6.0
Replace oil pump with melling M295
243 heads with 918 springs
Truck intake-stock injectors
Cam- something like Comp 212/218 .558/.563 with 115 LSA or maybe less LSA

Will this get me there?

I understand that the truck intake might hold my peak numbers down, but I'm looking for power under the curve and excellent throttle response. I also have a very tall engine bay to fill. Regardless, I would like to try it.

Paul57

You will easily make the power numbers and drivability you want if you spend a few extra dollars and get a custom cam spec from Pat G.

Bowtie316

iTrader: (1)

I must be an idiot because I can't find Pat G on the forum, searched the members, Pat G. would be somewhere near page 28-29 of the "p"s but he's not there. How do I find his page? You would think that with all the Pat G. recommendations, I wouldn't be able to turn my computer on without tripping over a link to his page.

Paul57

This should help...
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...am-change.html
He, as well as Geoff at Engine Power Systems, really know their stuff.

garygnu

how many miles on the motor ?truck intake flows as good as a ls6 intake up to 5500 rpm.what are the head casting numbers on the lq4 ?if they are 317 ,mill them .you mite need to get a TSP 224r cam to make 375 rwhp.check out comp cams camquest6 on line .

Bowtie316

iTrader: (1)

Ok, it's Patrick G, no wonder I couldn't find him.

Well the 6.0 was sold out from under me before I could get there yesterday so my plans are on hold again. Will continue the search for a 6.0.

I figured I would use 243/799 heads for this N/A build so I could leave the 317 heads alone so I could use them later when I went to a supercharger. Honestly I would rather this thing be undercammed than over, just looking to maximize the power without sacrificing driveability or reliability.

TSP 224r 224/224 .581/.581 on a 112

I'm not opposed to buying some PRC heads if that would allow me to reach my power levels without running a huge cam, but if I can get there with the 243/799 that would be cheaper.

Thanks for the replies.

Paul57

I am not sure where you are looking but the LQ9 was in the Silverado SS and Cadillac Escalade. I am guessing that you know it is the higher compression (flat top) version of the LQ4?? The LQ4 was in vans and 3/4 ton trucks, mostly.

Bowtie316

iTrader: (1)

Yes sir! Looking for a 01-05 LQ4 or LQ9. I think those are the years with the short crank and still 24x reluctor.

I had also considered a LS1, there is one here locally that I can get for 1200 with a 226/230 exhaust .600 lift 114 lsa cam, the guy said it put down 420 rwhp. Has 129,000 miles, figured I could sell the cam and be in it for under 1,000 but I'm just not sure how hard it has been beat on.

Bowtie316

iTrader: (1)

This has been more of an "on again - off again" thread. The 6.0 is on again, original seller that backed out on me said the other buyer flaked and it's mine. Going to pick it up tomorrow.

For a 6.0 with 243/799 heads, what are your thoughts on a lunati 217/223 .549/.549 LSA 113+4?

Are Lunati's lobes on par with comp XE or EPS?

Bowtie316

iTrader: (1)

Picked up the LQ4 (confirmed) last night, it supposed to have 135K and it does have 317 heads. I have a line on some 243 heads and I would like to use them instead of milling the 317s, that way I can use them later for a boosted build.

I've been using camquest6 for a while, works good for comps cams but you can't input your own data or other manufacturers data for comparison. I have desktop dyno but I swapped computers and it doesn't work anymore, I should probably call and see if they can help me get it working again.

67rally

iTrader: (5)

Congrats on the LQ4.

The 243's will bump your compression up a bit. The cams you're looking at are definitely on the smaller side, I think you can go bigger and not sacrifice driveability. Maybe get in touch with one of the vendors here and let them choose a cam, or custom spec one. I think with a nice cam and the 243's, you'll be where you want to be hp wise.

JakeFusion

iTrader: (7)

In the 6.0L you could do one of EPS' truck cams (stg 3 would work well with the extra cubes):

http://www.engpwrsys.com/index.php?a...od&productId=6

Bowtie316

iTrader: (1)

Thanks, I was thinking the lunati 217/223 might be on the verge of being too large for what I am after. Really was hoping that stepping up to the 6.0 and 243's that I wouldn't have to run a huge cam.

I am a bit concerned with higher lift shortening lifter and valvespring life. This is going in a vehicle that will potentially go on long road trips. I would rather err on the safe or conservative side with the cam.

I looked at the Patrick G cam spec request form, it asks for maximum desired lift, well i don't really know, but I know I want it to be reliable with whatever lift I end up with.


I looked at the EPS cams, just afraid of the lifts. This is from EPS website for that cam;
"High RPM Power Band.
3500 RPM or Greater Torque Converter and 4.11 or Deeper Gears Recomended."

Specs are 224/230 and .609/.607 with 111 LSA, that just seems huge.

JakeFusion

iTrader: (7)

The cam is very small by most standards. Big is something where the overlap starts to eclipse 8 degrees @ .050" because then drivability starts to suffer. That cam has 5 degrees overlap - so it'll thump, but drive with good manners and with a good tune, would drive pretty much like stock. And it's not a high RPM cam at all. In a 4.8L it might be. But not in a 5.7L and certainly not in a 6.0L. It's designed to make big torque in the midrange. Btw, most "starter" cams for LS1s are the 224/224 or 224/228. Going any less than that and you're not getting much out of the car. Maybe 25rwhp. Cam like this is good for probably closer to 40rwhp while bumping the torque up as well.

I have a 230/234 114 from EPS. And that cam would rock in anything as long as you have compression. The 224/230 111 doesn't need much compression to work super well and make insane torque. That cam would make more power off-idle than the stock 6.0L does and blow it out of the water all the way up to 6500 RPM or so. I wouldn't hesitate to daily drive that cam even in a 5.3L and it'd be even better in the 6.0L.

And don't get caught up on lift. The EPS lobes are actually some of the easiest on the valvetrain you can buy and which is why I recommend them. They are an endurance lobe designed for stability first, power second. You can run beehives with them and they'd be fine. Though, I would get PAC 1218s or 1518s vs the Comp 918s.