Lq4 budget build advise!?!?!?!
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 17
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From: Ontario canada
Lq4 budget build advise!?!?!?! Hey everyone my names chris from ontario canada.i have a 1970 monte carlo that I just bought a used lq4/4l80e for 1500 from an o4 express van. The engine has about 300, 000kms on it. What does everyone recommend for just going through the engine, maybe some small upgrades before it goes in it's new home? I am a licensed mechanic, so I am good with all around building etc. But iam new to the world of ls and how many different things can be done for cheap. I havent taken the engine apart as of yet, and I wont be able to hear it run until it's in the car. Unless someone can help me figure out how to run it on the stand?!?!?! I do have the full harness and ecu which I plan to use. Iam sure a post like this has been made already, I just havent found it!
I appreciate any feed back on this engine!! Thanks again chris
I appreciate any feed back on this engine!! Thanks again chris
If it's a budget build then I suggest just do the basics like a stock rebuild and get a different set of heads to bump up compression slightly. You should have 317 casting on it now and going to 243 or 799 casting will bump up compression a little and basically are the same head as the 317's flow wise but a smaller combustion chamber. Those heads with a mild cam should get you to around above the 400hp mark easy enough. Intake wise stay away from the ls1 intake, Either use the truck intake you have if the look doesn't bother you or buy a ls6 or aftermarket intake just keep in mind that the truck accessories may not clear the ls6 intake without modifications.
Last but not least get a decent stall converter. We put a bone stock 160,000 mile LQ4 in my son in-laws 73 Nova with an aftermarket intake and a Yank 3,000 stall converter and long tube headers (Stock cam) and it would do burnouts for days and pulled hard. Earlier this year I put a ASA High Lift Cam from the WS6 Store in it and it has a decent idle and my son in-law is thrilled because he can be rolling along up to about 35mph and get on it and break the tires loose. The next upgrade on that setup will be the 799 or 243 heads with a mild port job. Summit Racing has a line of cams that are reasonable priced to choose from
Last but not least get a decent stall converter. We put a bone stock 160,000 mile LQ4 in my son in-laws 73 Nova with an aftermarket intake and a Yank 3,000 stall converter and long tube headers (Stock cam) and it would do burnouts for days and pulled hard. Earlier this year I put a ASA High Lift Cam from the WS6 Store in it and it has a decent idle and my son in-law is thrilled because he can be rolling along up to about 35mph and get on it and break the tires loose. The next upgrade on that setup will be the 799 or 243 heads with a mild port job. Summit Racing has a line of cams that are reasonable priced to choose from
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Joined: Apr 2019
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From: California
Depending on your budget, swapping heads to the castings @LLLosingit mentioned and getting HP Tuners as well. The tune for trucks/SUVs is very conservative, so you'll want to do a basic tune to get your LQ4 to run strong.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
From: Ontario canada
If it's a budget build then I suggest just do the basics like a stock rebuild and get a different set of heads to bump up compression slightly. You should have 317 casting on it now and going to 243 or 799 casting will bump up compression a little and basically are the same head as the 317's flow wise but a smaller combustion chamber. Those heads with a mild cam should get you to around above the 400hp mark easy enough. Intake wise stay away from the ls1 intake, Either use the truck intake you have if the look doesn't bother you or buy a ls6 or aftermarket intake just keep in mind that the truck accessories may not clear the ls6 intake without modifications.
Last but not least get a decent stall converter. We put a bone stock 160,000 mile LQ4 in my son in-laws 73 Nova with an aftermarket intake and a Yank 3,000 stall converter and long tube headers (Stock cam) and it would do burnouts for days and pulled hard. Earlier this year I put a ASA High Lift Cam from the WS6 Store in it and it has a decent idle and my son in-law is thrilled because he can be rolling along up to about 35mph and get on it and break the tires loose. The next upgrade on that setup will be the 799 or 243 heads with a mild port job. Summit Racing has a line of cams that are reasonable priced to choose from
Last but not least get a decent stall converter. We put a bone stock 160,000 mile LQ4 in my son in-laws 73 Nova with an aftermarket intake and a Yank 3,000 stall converter and long tube headers (Stock cam) and it would do burnouts for days and pulled hard. Earlier this year I put a ASA High Lift Cam from the WS6 Store in it and it has a decent idle and my son in-law is thrilled because he can be rolling along up to about 35mph and get on it and break the tires loose. The next upgrade on that setup will be the 799 or 243 heads with a mild port job. Summit Racing has a line of cams that are reasonable priced to choose from
Socaldave, thank you as well, I know there are a few good tuners out this way so I hoping once iam completed I'll be able to get a solid tune in it!
thano you very much for that info LLLosingit. So iam not even sure what heads are on it yet, is. Waiting for the motor to arrive still. The guy I bought ot from did tell me they are aluminium heads on it but "cant find the casting number" which either way iam ok with. The 243 and 799 heads, what might I find those on? Are they direct fit? If valve train is complete can i just bolt them on with no issue? Is having to change the lifters and push rods dependent on which cam you choose? Or is there a cam which can add a few hp without changing lifter/pushrod length? Thanks again
Socaldave, thank you as well, I know there are a few good tuners out this way so I hoping once iam completed I'll be able to get a solid tune in it!
Socaldave, thank you as well, I know there are a few good tuners out this way so I hoping once iam completed I'll be able to get a solid tune in it!
243 '04-up (LS6/LS2) aluminum center bolt 5.7. Also in some '05-up trucks 64.45cc
799 '05-up 4.8L-5.3L truck heads (these are basically 243 heads)
Basically any head from a truck or car interchange with some exclusions due to bore size or intake port design. To answer your question the 243/799 heads are a direct bolt on for your engine. On the cam check with Summit or one of the vendors, Basically a mild cam can be ground on the stock base circle and you can reuse the stock pushrods as long as the heads have not been milled. You should get upgraded springs, Many are mild enough to use behive springs that aren't very expensive.
Basically think of the LS based engines as sbc in a sense, Most of the parts are interchangeable with some exceptions, Heads/water pump/crank and rods and so on You can even put LS3 rectangular intake port heads on your engine but that would also require an intake to match that port.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 17
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From: Ontario canada
Awesome! Thanks so much for the Info!!! Cant wait to get this thing and start moving on it!
I know summit has good things, iam curious to hear about texas speed or speed engineering, i am all for speeding the money even if it means waiting for a while. Is there a difference in quality do you think? From summit vs other companies who sort of focus on these things? Thanks again LLLosingit
I know summit has good things, iam curious to hear about texas speed or speed engineering, i am all for speeding the money even if it means waiting for a while. Is there a difference in quality do you think? From summit vs other companies who sort of focus on these things? Thanks again LLLosingit
Summit cams are hard to beat price wise and they offer a decent but somewhat generic selection but you should find what you need for a basic warmed over 6.0, Quality wise they should be no different than anyone else. We used speed engineering headers on the Nova and were more than happy with the quality and price. If there us one bit of advice I can give you, That would be to spend some time researching and learning, It will save you headaches and money in the long run. There are tons of LQ4 builds on here that you can learn from.
When it comes to making it run look at the total cost you'll have into the harness/ecu and tuning software if you plan on tuning it yourself or the cost to have someone else tune it for you...Then look at the Holley Terminator X system and what it's capable of, You might find it's worth the cost. It's a relatively easy to learn system and you don't have to pay a tuner, You can download the software from Holley's website for free if you want to get a look at how to use it before buying.
When it comes to motor.mounts and oil pan it pays to buy something that you know will work together so look at other builds on the same chassis or go with something that was designed to work together, Holley has pretty good line of swap parts also.
When it comes to making it run look at the total cost you'll have into the harness/ecu and tuning software if you plan on tuning it yourself or the cost to have someone else tune it for you...Then look at the Holley Terminator X system and what it's capable of, You might find it's worth the cost. It's a relatively easy to learn system and you don't have to pay a tuner, You can download the software from Holley's website for free if you want to get a look at how to use it before buying.
When it comes to motor.mounts and oil pan it pays to buy something that you know will work together so look at other builds on the same chassis or go with something that was designed to work together, Holley has pretty good line of swap parts also.
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Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
From: Ontario canada
Awesome! Thanks alot LLLosingit. Honestly I havent been able to find anyone......really willing to help. I have found people that have done this swap on the same chassis but, unfortunately no one is.......well I guess willing to help out with understanding it all. But I will search here more! Thanks again for everything
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That many km, it's likely due for a complete overhaul. Ie pistons rings bearings gaskets.
We have an option that would use flat tops instead of the dished lq4 style pistons to bring your cr up and give you or whomever gets it later a brand new engine basically.
Complete rebuild kit is $699 us.
Comes with
Flat top pistons
Drop in rings
Main bearings
Rod bearings
Cam bearings
Head gaskets
Head bolts
Valley cover gasket
Knock sensor grommets
Valve cover gaskets
Oil pan gasket
Front cover gasket
Front cover seal
Rear cover gasket
Rear cover seal
Oil pump
Timing set
AND
How to Build and Modify GM LS Engines book
If your bores are good, then just a glaze breaker/dingleberry hone, drop the new parts in, and have some fun!
The only thing you need then are cam kit (like our high lift asa cam mentioned above) and lifters. Thats it!
Let me know if you have more questions.
Thanks
Tech Support
We have an option that would use flat tops instead of the dished lq4 style pistons to bring your cr up and give you or whomever gets it later a brand new engine basically.
Complete rebuild kit is $699 us.
Comes with
Flat top pistons
Drop in rings
Main bearings
Rod bearings
Cam bearings
Head gaskets
Head bolts
Valley cover gasket
Knock sensor grommets
Valve cover gaskets
Oil pan gasket
Front cover gasket
Front cover seal
Rear cover gasket
Rear cover seal
Oil pump
Timing set
AND
How to Build and Modify GM LS Engines book
If your bores are good, then just a glaze breaker/dingleberry hone, drop the new parts in, and have some fun!
The only thing you need then are cam kit (like our high lift asa cam mentioned above) and lifters. Thats it!
Let me know if you have more questions.
Thanks
Tech Support
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
From: Ontario canada
That many km, it's likely due for a complete overhaul. Ie pistons rings bearings gaskets.
We have an option that would use flat tops instead of the dished lq4 style pistons to bring your cr up and give you or whomever gets it later a brand new engine basically.
Complete rebuild kit is $699 us.
Comes with
Flat top pistons
Drop in rings
Main bearings
Rod bearings
Cam bearings
Head gaskets
Head bolts
Valley cover gasket
Knock sensor grommets
Valve cover gaskets
Oil pan gasket
Front cover gasket
Front cover seal
Rear cover gasket
Rear cover seal
Oil pump
Timing set
AND
How to Build and Modify GM LS Engines book
If your bores are good, then just a glaze breaker/dingleberry hone, drop the new parts in, and have some fun!
The only thing you need then are cam kit (like our high lift asa cam mentioned above) and lifters. Thats it!
Let me know if you have more questions.
Thanks
Tech Support
We have an option that would use flat tops instead of the dished lq4 style pistons to bring your cr up and give you or whomever gets it later a brand new engine basically.
Complete rebuild kit is $699 us.
Comes with
Flat top pistons
Drop in rings
Main bearings
Rod bearings
Cam bearings
Head gaskets
Head bolts
Valley cover gasket
Knock sensor grommets
Valve cover gaskets
Oil pan gasket
Front cover gasket
Front cover seal
Rear cover gasket
Rear cover seal
Oil pump
Timing set
AND
How to Build and Modify GM LS Engines book
If your bores are good, then just a glaze breaker/dingleberry hone, drop the new parts in, and have some fun!
The only thing you need then are cam kit (like our high lift asa cam mentioned above) and lifters. Thats it!
Let me know if you have more questions.
Thanks
Tech Support
Good choice. I’ve bought 2 kits from WS6Store for 6 liter builds and they are great to deal with.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
From: Ontario canada
300,000km is not very many miles
For a "BUDGET" build pull the valve covers and see how clean the engine is. If its fairly clean I would just do a cam, valve springs, push rods and of course long tube headers for your swap. Cam choices are endless but the summit ones are a great for the money. Then just pick a stall to match your cam.
For a "BUDGET" build pull the valve covers and see how clean the engine is. If its fairly clean I would just do a cam, valve springs, push rods and of course long tube headers for your swap. Cam choices are endless but the summit ones are a great for the money. Then just pick a stall to match your cam.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
From: Ontario canada
300,000km is not very many miles
For a "BUDGET" build pull the valve covers and see how clean the engine is. If its fairly clean I would just do a cam, valve springs, push rods and of course long tube headers for your swap. Cam choices are endless but the summit ones are a great for the money. Then just pick a stall to match your cam.
For a "BUDGET" build pull the valve covers and see how clean the engine is. If its fairly clean I would just do a cam, valve springs, push rods and of course long tube headers for your swap. Cam choices are endless but the summit ones are a great for the money. Then just pick a stall to match your cam.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,303
Likes: 3,619
From: Central Cal.
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 4
From: Central Ohio
I used the WS6 kit for my build, with a TSP stage 2 truck cam, 45k mi and runs great. The book is all the info you need if you rebuild, quite an easy job actually. If you do, look into balancer removal and install tools, torque angle tool(or sharpie), oil pre-luber? I had a 72 Monte back in the 80s, rusted with rallys and a bench seat, an LS swap makes so much sense on older cars, should be fun. I wonder how that would run if you keep the truck intake and cam it with a truck cam, they are big heavy cars, torque under 6K would move it along pretty good if it is just a cruiser.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
From: Ontario canada
So while waiting for to start on the engine, I was also wondering about mounting engine and transmission, anyone have any recommendations on engine mounts? Does anyone know if my stock transmission cross member will work with the 4l80e? I have a turbo 400 in the car now, thanks, chris
So while waiting for to start on the engine, I was also wondering about mounting engine and transmission, anyone have any recommendations on engine mounts? Does anyone know if my stock transmission cross member will work with the 4l80e? I have a turbo 400 in the car now, thanks, chris