LQ4, Newbie needing some direction.
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Teching In
Joined: Aug 2016
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LQ4, Newbie needing some direction. So much info here, hoping to get some focused input for a proven direction.
Have:
LQ4 take out (COMPLETE) from a known wrecked vehicle, 90K miles.
Computer and all wiring harness from same vehicle.
I've taken apart the motor, it doesn't have any issues. All bearings great shape, crosshatch still in cylinders.
Additional Pieces I've Collected:
Factory "Car" Plastic Intake
Set of 862 Heads, Fresh but unknown source of machine work. They are CNC pieces that I've measured. Chambers are 67cc, Exhaust Ports 87cc, Intake Ports 233cc, Intake Valves 2.05, Exhaust Valves 1.56.
Project:
'39 Ford Sedan
Will be DAILY driver, average 20K miles per year.
Normally Aspirated
2850lbs
6 speed manual
9" Rear End, will use whatever gear needed
A/C
Questions:
1. For a target of 450-500 Crank HP, what are the "must do" things as it relates to the Bottom End?
2. Are the 862 heads mentioned above a candidate for this build? The take off heads are 317's.
3. I'm wanting to build something that makes power early. I'm looking for opinions on displacement, camshaft, intake etc..
I appreciate your comments.
Have:
LQ4 take out (COMPLETE) from a known wrecked vehicle, 90K miles.
Computer and all wiring harness from same vehicle.
I've taken apart the motor, it doesn't have any issues. All bearings great shape, crosshatch still in cylinders.
Additional Pieces I've Collected:
Factory "Car" Plastic Intake
Set of 862 Heads, Fresh but unknown source of machine work. They are CNC pieces that I've measured. Chambers are 67cc, Exhaust Ports 87cc, Intake Ports 233cc, Intake Valves 2.05, Exhaust Valves 1.56.
Project:
'39 Ford Sedan
Will be DAILY driver, average 20K miles per year.
Normally Aspirated
2850lbs
6 speed manual
9" Rear End, will use whatever gear needed
A/C
Questions:
1. For a target of 450-500 Crank HP, what are the "must do" things as it relates to the Bottom End?
2. Are the 862 heads mentioned above a candidate for this build? The take off heads are 317's.
3. I'm wanting to build something that makes power early. I'm looking for opinions on displacement, camshaft, intake etc..
I appreciate your comments.
The only thing you need to do to the bottom end for 500hp is make sure it has oil in it. The 862 heads normally have smaller valves than the 317's , but it sounds like that was changed when they were ported. Just make sure to use a 6.0 head gasket and not 5.3. The car style intake makes less power and torque than the truck intake, so if you have hood clearance I would use the truck intake. I know they're ugly, but with some work they can be smoothed out and repainted to look ok. At 2850 #'s with a 6 speed, the cam choice is going to come down to personal preference, as you have conservative power goals, and a wide selection of cams that could get you there. I see zero need to change displacement.
If you want to use a car intake, you need at minimum a LS6 intake, not a LS1. I don't know what you have. The LS6 is flat on the bottom, the LS1 has a "wave" in it.
Without port work, your not going to get the power your looking for. I think my setup, is probably close to what your looking for. I have hand ported 799 heads, a LS6 intake, and a conservative N/A cam, since it's setup for boost. Also, for your setup, the best bang for the $ for injectors, is the GM 3800 supercharged injectors. They flow 42#'s on LS fuel pressure. I put mine together pretty cheap, for what it is IMO.
Without port work, your not going to get the power your looking for. I think my setup, is probably close to what your looking for. I have hand ported 799 heads, a LS6 intake, and a conservative N/A cam, since it's setup for boost. Also, for your setup, the best bang for the $ for injectors, is the GM 3800 supercharged injectors. They flow 42#'s on LS fuel pressure. I put mine together pretty cheap, for what it is IMO.
I made 413whp through unported 241 heads and an unported LS1 intake manifold on a Mustang dyno. If you assume a 15% drivetrain loss, that's over 480hp at the crank, so even the LS1 intake will be adequate for your goals.
If you're swapping the cam, I would take the opportunity to put in a new oil pump and timing chain at least. The cam retainer plate will also need to be replace as the orange seal is usually toast.
Are you sure the chambers are 67cc and not 57cc? That's seems really big for a head that started with 61cc chambers.
If you're swapping the cam, I would take the opportunity to put in a new oil pump and timing chain at least. The cam retainer plate will also need to be replace as the orange seal is usually toast.
Are you sure the chambers are 67cc and not 57cc? That's seems really big for a head that started with 61cc chambers.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2016
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I made 413whp through unported 241 heads and an unported LS1 intake manifold on a Mustang dyno. If you assume a 15% drivetrain loss, that's over 480hp at the crank, so even the LS1 intake will be adequate for your goals.
If you're swapping the cam, I would take the opportunity to put in a new oil pump and timing chain at least. The cam retainer plate will also need to be replace as the orange seal is usually toast.
Are you sure the chambers are 67cc and not 57cc? That's seems really big for a head that started with 61cc chambers.
If you're swapping the cam, I would take the opportunity to put in a new oil pump and timing chain at least. The cam retainer plate will also need to be replace as the orange seal is usually toast.
Are you sure the chambers are 67cc and not 57cc? That's seems really big for a head that started with 61cc chambers.
The chambers of the modified 862's are definitely 67cc. I've never seen a stock 862, I'm thinking these must have a ton of material gone with the big valves and unshrouding them?
I'm pretty old school, not used to being able to make power so easy! I'm learning that my goals are pretty much a walk in the park. I appreciate your input. Thx
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Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Portland, Oregon
Like others have mentioned, the TBSS/'10+ truck intake is much better than the LS1 intake and should probably be used if it will fit. If it is too ugly or will not fit, then the LS6 intake is the better car-style intake to use.
I would also suggest using whatever thickness head gasket to give you optimal quench. Hopefully a thinner head gasket raises your compression a bit. Compression will help with early power production, which is specifically mentioned in your original post.
As for the camshaft, call Martin Smallwood and have him spec you a cam on a Cam Motion core.
With a sub-3000# curb weight and ~400rwhp, traction may become an issue, so relatively flat rear gearing (3.08-3.33) would probably help with driveability and traction.
I would also suggest using whatever thickness head gasket to give you optimal quench. Hopefully a thinner head gasket raises your compression a bit. Compression will help with early power production, which is specifically mentioned in your original post.
As for the camshaft, call Martin Smallwood and have him spec you a cam on a Cam Motion core.
With a sub-3000# curb weight and ~400rwhp, traction may become an issue, so relatively flat rear gearing (3.08-3.33) would probably help with driveability and traction.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2016
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My motor doesn't have full float pins and LQ4 pistons look like they are dished around 5cc's. If I decided to go with some flat top pistons, should I find stock LQ9 pistons? Rods? If I went with aftermarket stuff, who makes a "budget" rod and piston solution worth moving up to?
Haven't measured cylinders yet, but looks like they will probably be good to go with std bore.
Haven't measured cylinders yet, but looks like they will probably be good to go with std bore.