2004 LQ4 build
04-07-2015, 04:44 PM
#1
2004 LQ4 build I have a 2004 lq4 that I plan on swapping into a 96 Impala SS. The car has 3.73 and I'll probably be going with 2800 to 3200rpm stall. I have the motor complete from computer to pedal. I also have an ls3 intake and l92 heads,
I'm not looking for big power probably 400hp at the wheels. I have a couple of questions, can I use a cable throttle body with my 2004 pcm? I heard that the l92 works better with a small cam, do I still need to upgrade the valve springs?
Can I use the truck accessories with the ls3 top end?
I haven't went through the motor yet so I might upgrade the pistons to flat tops if I have to but otherwise I plan on keeping them stock.
And what kind of power does a cammed lq4 make with the ls3 top end. This car won't be a race car, just a decent street cruiser.
I'm not looking for big power probably 400hp at the wheels. I have a couple of questions, can I use a cable throttle body with my 2004 pcm? I heard that the l92 works better with a small cam, do I still need to upgrade the valve springs?
Can I use the truck accessories with the ls3 top end?
I haven't went through the motor yet so I might upgrade the pistons to flat tops if I have to but otherwise I plan on keeping them stock.
And what kind of power does a cammed lq4 make with the ls3 top end. This car won't be a race car, just a decent street cruiser.
04-07-2015, 06:49 PM
#2
Settle down you are getting ahead of yourself and making not great choiced.
Most honest folks will tell you the rectangle heads on a stock bore LQ4 is not great lowend wise, then you still want 400hp and a baby cam with low stall.
People argue the rectangle ports are used on trucks, but that fails to consider the extra bore diameter, the DBW TB which can mask actual response and VVT is a factor.
Pretty sure that with your wiring and pcm you would have to use the DBW but the engine could be adapted to cable if you got different wiring and pcm.
For a 400rwhp cruiser though the LT1 can serve quite well.
Most honest folks will tell you the rectangle heads on a stock bore LQ4 is not great lowend wise, then you still want 400hp and a baby cam with low stall.
People argue the rectangle ports are used on trucks, but that fails to consider the extra bore diameter, the DBW TB which can mask actual response and VVT is a factor.
Pretty sure that with your wiring and pcm you would have to use the DBW but the engine could be adapted to cable if you got different wiring and pcm.
For a 400rwhp cruiser though the LT1 can serve quite well.
04-07-2015, 08:33 PM
#3
Your right I did get slightly ahead of myself with the ls3 top end, I still have the stock 317s, but buying ported heads are not in the budget. From what I read I would lose some low end power with the l92 over some cathedrals.
I also thought about building up the lt1, but when adding up the costs, the lt1 seemed just as expensive even though I have a full bolt on car.
I also thought about building up the lt1, but when adding up the costs, the lt1 seemed just as expensive even though I have a full bolt on car.
04-07-2015, 08:51 PM
#4
400rwhp is capable of high 11s in a well setup b-body.
For a street cruiser I would sooner do a little bowl work and valvejob on the 317s, mill them to get some compression, stay mild on the cam and have fun.
Don't get me wrong a 11 second b-body can be a nice street car but if not going to the track, don't chase that last 15-20hp.
For a street cruiser I would sooner do a little bowl work and valvejob on the 317s, mill them to get some compression, stay mild on the cam and have fun.
Don't get me wrong a 11 second b-body can be a nice street car but if not going to the track, don't chase that last 15-20hp.