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I have a 2006 Suburban LTZ with a 6.0 LQ4. I bought it a few months ago for $3k for my wife, but I’m slowly convincing her that it needs to be a donor vehicle for my ‘70 Chevelle. 🤞🏼
I’m an old school SBC guy and this is my first foray into an LS. Since is has 300k miles on it, I’m planning a full rebuild and build up, with the goal of 500-600 hp at the crank.
To begin preparing, can anyone recommend a comprehensive book on rebuilding an LS? I checked Amazon and there are lots to choose from! I’m looking for a technical bookthat that will help build a strong and reliable engine, not a “hot rod” book full of marketing. Thanks!
Buy your rebuild kit from WS6Store. If I am not mistaken one of the LS rebuild books use to come with the kit.
I used these two books when I rebuilt my L96 for my 1965 Oldsmobile Cutlassl
How to Build and Modify GM LS-Series Engines and
How to Rebuild GM LS-Series Engines Book by Chris Werner
If you don't have a bookstore nearby, (and it's likely they won't have it in stock) hit Amazon and put "LS books" on the search blank. The above-named books are good, plus there are others.
While getting a good book an teach you the basics, definitely spend some time on this forum, read stuff that sounds interesting to you, make lists of parts groups you will need; like, take one day and study up on crankshafts for instance. use google to search LS1tech, just type "best crankshaft ls1tech" into google, and you'll get tons of great links to read.
Then use that same search terminology to go down the line, Camshaft, Transmission, Cylinder Heads, etc. you would be amazed at how fast you can learn about all this stuff, and like you said, you want to learn facts, not hot rod marketing nonsense, which this place has in spades, a bunch of do it yourself type guys aren't going to sell you on a bunch of hyped BS.
Buy your rebuild kit from WS6Store. If I am not mistaken one of the LS rebuild books use to come with the kit.
I used these two books when I rebuilt my L96 for my 1965 Oldsmobile Cutlass
How to Build and Modify GM LS-Series Engines and
How to Rebuild GM LS-Series Engines Book by Chris Werner
I just learned about WS6Store yesterday and checked out their website. I wish it was simpler to navigate to find LS parts and kits. It looks like the rebuild kit comes with the Potak book you mentioned. It seems like everyone here loves their kits and prices.
If you don't have a bookstore nearby, (and it's likely they won't have it in stock) hit Amazon and put "LS books" on the search blank. The above-named books are good, plus there are others.
Yep, I hit Amazon before posting this question. I was surprised by the number of options and was hoping this group could help me narrow it down to a couple of the best books!
While getting a good book an teach you the basics, definitely spend some time on this forum, read stuff that sounds interesting to you, make lists of parts groups you will need; like, take one day and study up on crankshafts for instance. use google to search LS1tech, just type "best crankshaft ls1tech" into google, and you'll get tons of great links to read.
Then use that same search terminology to go down the line, Camshaft, Transmission, Cylinder Heads, etc. you would be amazed at how fast you can learn about all this stuff, and like you said, you want to learn facts, not hot rod marketing nonsense, which this place has in spades, a bunch of do it yourself type guys aren't going to sell you on a bunch of hyped BS.
Thanks for the excellent feedback. I’ve been watching LS rebuild/buildup videos on YouTube and taking notes. Your advice to dig into the LS1tech archives is also appreciated. I’ll do my best to take bite sized pieces to avoid going down a rabbit hole and never be seen again! 😂
Thanks for the excellent feedback. I’ve been watching LS rebuild/buildup videos on YouTube and taking notes. Your advice to dig into the LS1tech archives is also appreciated. I’ll do my best to take bite sized pieces to avoid going down a rabbit hole and never be seen again! 😂
Of course man, pretty soon you'll see a thread where someone asks a question, and you'll remember from your experience what it was like to not know the answer, so you'll respond and help that person out. Searching is great, but so is posting new and strange questions, so the hobby grows. With all these new parts and kits coming out, seemingly daily, posting about them is the only way we can troubleshoot and dial everything in.
you'll emerge from the rabbit hole a fully formed LS wizard.
I just learned about WS6Store yesterday and checked out their website. I wish it was simpler to navigate to find LS parts and kits. It looks like the rebuild kit comes with the Potak book you mentioned. It seems like everyone here loves their kits and prices.
Thanks,
Eric
Hit them up here...rpmspeedtech@gmail.com He always gets back to me right away. He'll be able to give you all the advice you need with links to the parts you'll need, so it will make looking at they're website much easier.
There are a lot of us A-body swappers on her so don't be afraid to ask questions.
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Rebuild Book Recommendation 
