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She Died :,( Lets bring her back !GTO!

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Old Oct 13, 2014 | 01:49 PM
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Default She Died :,( Lets bring her back !GTO!

Hey guys my 2004 gto died. I had so many good times in her She was a stock bottom end 2004 gto m6, monster clutch, stock 3.42's i believe, ported ls6 heads, custom tsp cam, and a FAST that i just added, longtubes ect ect.

I just got done doing the 347 fox grudge race i won!!! anyway on my way home it started knocking then pulling in my drive way BOOM and nothing but oil and that was all she wrote.

So here comes the plan which i need input on. Im going to swap a th350 in and im going to have a forged bottom end, on e85 and high compression, and a small shot of spray. Such as a max of a 125 shot maybe 150. Im looking into Texas speed bottom end's, I like the 395-383 kits, Im looking at the 347 forged kit as well. Im staying ls1 base because i dont want to deal with extra wirirng when swaping.

Has anyone ran an 2004-2006 gto with a th350 or 400 before, and input/reviews on TSP bottom ends on a small shot of spray.
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Old Oct 13, 2014 | 05:21 PM
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I've just completed a 383 build on my goat. With machine shop work, rotating assem (pistons, rods, ARP bolts, crank, rings, bearings), good lifters, cam and timing set and a new clutch I've done all the labor and I'm over $5,000 just in parts so it gets pricey.
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Old Oct 13, 2014 | 07:53 PM
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Why going backwards to the THxxx series? If you want a better trans without rebuilding yours then go for the 4L80E.
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Old Oct 14, 2014 | 12:33 AM
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If oil went everywhere are you sure your block is ok? What about doing a 408?
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Old Oct 14, 2014 | 01:13 AM
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Originally Posted by VandykeT/A
If oil went everywhere are you sure your block is ok? What about doing a 408?
^+1... If there is oil, the block is gone and you're going to need a complete short block.
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Old Oct 14, 2014 | 06:26 AM
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Well guys thanks for shooting idea's around. The block is a no go, and im looking to replace it. I did some research...which may or may not be a bad thing, and everyone on the gto forums say its not worth an ls2 swap, just get a stroked ls1 or 5.3. I would love a TSP 418 LQ9 with a set of there ls3 heads but from what i am reading, hacking up the wiring harness, and replacing the gas pedal assembly, and having security issues it does not appeal to me.

Im not saying i couldnt do it, but i dont want to go beyond my own means. going from carb's to this stuff is fun, but i have a lot to learn.

Also the th350 is fully built, manual valve body, a trans brake, and its all fresh was going into my 97 s10 with a 383 but sold that truck and kept the trans its brand new and one less thing for me to buy, and will handle what i want to throw at it.

So guys 383-395 or take the extra work and do a iron block 6.0 stroker
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Old Oct 14, 2014 | 08:33 AM
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why would the 418 require hacking the harness? Theres wiring harness adapters used for just such swaps. With the proper conversion harnesses and tb nothing should have to be changed. you have an 04 which is dbc so nothing should have to be done to the gas pedal

if you have the funds a 418 is really no different than doing a 383 minus a few wiring harness adapters
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Old Oct 14, 2014 | 09:43 AM
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LQ4 408 would be a direct swap. Just put one in a Fbody, shimmed the windage tray, a little grinding in the oil pan, drilled a bolt hole and its a direct swap. 6.0 iron blocks are alot more common than the aluminum stuff and cheaper.
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Old Oct 14, 2014 | 10:56 AM
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If you do any freeway driving in the GTO, you'll get sick of riding around at 3500 RPMs at 65 mph, real fast, with that TH350.
Although, I'll admit, it's nice to have a strong trans in there that cost little to nothing vs. a 4l80 swap. Especially since you already have one ready to go.
I'm running the TH400 in mine and it's great(Except for long freeway trips)

Like mentioned earlier, your GTO is cable driven, and there are harnesses out there that take about 1 minute to install for a different engine block. Don't sell yourself short thinking it's more work than it really is.
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Old Oct 14, 2014 | 11:40 AM
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yes i am aware of the th350's down falls haha, i would miss the way she goes down the high way... good times!! but speaking of which

What kind of power do these t56's handle... maybe ill leave it in.

Also what parts can i use from the old engine on lets say a lq4 408?
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Old Oct 14, 2014 | 12:33 PM
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You can build more current units (t56, 4L60E) to handle big amounts of power, upwards of 600 or so. After that, it's more feasible (money wise) go go with a 4L80E as high end builds for the aforementioned units can get expensive.
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Old Oct 14, 2014 | 12:54 PM
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When you order a long block from TSP they have a option to add a LS2/3 conversion kit, that will include the LS2 timing cover with camshaft position sensor, LS2 valley cover, LS2 lifter trays, LS2-specific timing set, and plug-n-play harness extensions for the camshaft position and knock sensor harnesses. Its only $245 and there is know reason to change anything else. The bigger hassle would be adding a VSS, and any other required sensors to keep the computer happy to a th350.
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Old Oct 14, 2014 | 04:14 PM
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All of it will swap over to the 408. Will it be a ideal set up, probably not, but it'll give you a better foundation for later. What are the cam specs?
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Old Oct 14, 2014 | 04:35 PM
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I would get a 402-408 or even ls3 416-418 and put your heads and intake on either bottom end.guys will say the heads want be the best but it depends on what you want.its a lot of ls6 and 5.3 headed stroker engines that have put up really fast times.my guess will be the ls3 416-418.two guys on here did it already both in gto.stock ls6 heads ls6 intake and a cam 470rwhp the othe had a fast and ported ls6 heads and put down 480rwhp unlocked converter with really bad valve float.ill say its a 500+ Rwhp setup.as far as tranny goes I don't think you will enjoy a th350 unless it's a track car.i would get a well built 4l60e or a stock 4l80e
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Old Oct 15, 2014 | 06:10 AM
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thanks guys!! now i have a question that i cant find which is better, do i go with a 6.0 based stroker with ls3 heads or ls3 from the start. Ill be selling my heads, cam, and intake. And going with something new.
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Old Oct 15, 2014 | 06:32 AM
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Also from what i have found with my car being an t56 car, the computer should be ok without messing with a the VSS. The th350 is a full manual valvebody. This car will see track every chance i get not to worried about street manners, i got the wifes car for street manners lol
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Old Oct 15, 2014 | 06:36 AM
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From: Wilson n.c.
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in that case then i would go with ls3 stroker with tfs heads
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