LQ4 408 Build Questions
I'd figure about $6K and the LS3 head like your original choice will get you pretty close.
also, you could try to find a LY6 junkyard engine so that you have the rectangle heads to start with
you will be running aftermarket pistons with reliefs, so I don't understand the comments about PTV issues
Callies isn't a 1/2 bad place to get a complete rotating assy either, you can call them direct and order what you need, balanced, ready to rock
also, you could try to find a LY6 junkyard engine so that you have the rectangle heads to start with
you will be running aftermarket pistons with reliefs, so I don't understand the comments about PTV issues
Callies isn't a 1/2 bad place to get a complete rotating assy either, you can call them direct and order what you need, balanced, ready to rock
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
I talked to a local speed shop and Texas Speed and Performance and they both agreed that it would be better to go with the stock GM LS3 heads rather than a port and polish on the stock LQ4 heads for my application. I'm looking at going with the rotating assembly from TSP and the guy I talked with on the phone from there said I should have no problem reaching 500rwhp with that set up. He said the rest just mainly depends on cam and intake.
LS3 heads are going to cost me around $720
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/na...make/chevrolet
The rotating assembly is going to run me about $2125 with balance
http://texas-speed.com/p-1016-tsp-40...-assembly.aspx
(Lunati crank, Eagle H-beam rods, Wiseco 4.03" -3cc pistons)
The guy I was talking to on the phone at TSP said I should be right around 11:1 compression ratio with that
LQ4 engine I'll be picking up from a local junk yard for $795
LS3 heads are going to cost me around $720
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/na...make/chevrolet
The rotating assembly is going to run me about $2125 with balance
http://texas-speed.com/p-1016-tsp-40...-assembly.aspx
(Lunati crank, Eagle H-beam rods, Wiseco 4.03" -3cc pistons)
The guy I was talking to on the phone at TSP said I should be right around 11:1 compression ratio with that
LQ4 engine I'll be picking up from a local junk yard for $795
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,179
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From: North Bay, Ontario
hey man im doing the same thing you are.. 1969 camaro. bought an lq4 from a junk yard and put an eagle 408 kit in it with ls3 heads and tsp 231/236 cam, t56 6 speed trans. i thought i would be able to do this for 5-6k but its costing me closer to 15k with everything, lots of little things add up but i hope its well worth it. Im putting the motor in within the next couple weeks.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 35
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hey man im doing the same thing you are.. 1969 camaro. bought an lq4 from a junk yard and put an eagle 408 kit in it with ls3 heads and tsp 231/236 cam, t56 6 speed trans. i thought i would be able to do this for 5-6k but its costing me closer to 15k with everything, lots of little things add up but i hope its well worth it. Im putting the motor in within the next couple weeks.
What engine mounts did you go with? And what other parts did you get for the swap?
12 Second Club
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 217
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From: Seaford,DE
im looking into a 408 for my 4th gen. same goal around 500whp although im running a auto ;( so more like 450whp or so after drivetrain loss. i was looking at a ls3 top end verse a ls6 top end.
Im trying to also make 500whp out of my 408. Im gonna use a ~240/~250 cam with about .600 life. With AFR heads. I already have the FAST 92/92 setup. Im hoping with those mods, plus the usually bolt ons, ill have 500whp through the t-56
well when you say your goal is 500 wheel horsepower, that means the power you want at the wheels. if we were to assume the automatic has 16% drivetrain loss then you would have to have 600bhp.
Im trying to also make 500whp out of my 408. Im gonna use a ~240/~250 cam with about .600 life. With AFR heads. I already have the FAST 92/92 setup. Im hoping with those mods, plus the usually bolt ons, ill have 500whp through the t-56
Im trying to also make 500whp out of my 408. Im gonna use a ~240/~250 cam with about .600 life. With AFR heads. I already have the FAST 92/92 setup. Im hoping with those mods, plus the usually bolt ons, ill have 500whp through the t-56
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I've never really focused on the dyno #. If memory serves me right, it was around 435-445 area, which doesn't sound like much, but this was with nitrous converter, t400, steel driveshaft, 12 bolt. Cam similar to what the guy above considered huge.
In the end, you will be off budget, if you do it right. Do it right once.
The combo above put down 10.43 on a nitrous setup, without the nitrous, in a 3550 race weight. You can do the math to see what you could achieve in a NA application, without the nitrous tune, converter, driveshaft, etc. If you aren't into track times, disregard everything I've said.
In the end, you will be off budget, if you do it right. Do it right once.
The combo above put down 10.43 on a nitrous setup, without the nitrous, in a 3550 race weight. You can do the math to see what you could achieve in a NA application, without the nitrous tune, converter, driveshaft, etc. If you aren't into track times, disregard everything I've said.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 35
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Well I found out that the junk yard price of $795 is just for the engine with intake and manifolds. The power steering pump had already been removed along with the alternator. Since I'd only be using the block and accessories it wouldn't be much more cost to just go with everything new. So I'm buying an LQ4 block from summit for around $800.
My question is will this accessory drive bolt right up to the LQ4?
http://paceperformance.com/i-6485405...7-engines.html
My question is will this accessory drive bolt right up to the LQ4?
http://paceperformance.com/i-6485405...7-engines.html
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
Well Id look into these options:
PRC - 237, 247 cathedrals, and the small bore 260cc ls3 like I have
AFR 230
TFS 235
TFS 220 as cast worked over by TEA
If youre going through the expense of building a stroker then you really need a good set of heads to make use of those new found CIs.
PRC - 237, 247 cathedrals, and the small bore 260cc ls3 like I have
AFR 230
TFS 235
TFS 220 as cast worked over by TEA
If youre going through the expense of building a stroker then you really need a good set of heads to make use of those new found CIs.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 35
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I ordered the block from TSP. Next on the list to buy is the rotating assembly which I'm also going to buy from TSP. My question is which crank is better, Lunati or Texas Speed and Performance? Also, since I'm building this from new, essentially, what reluctor wheel should I go with? The block is a Gen III that I got from TSP.
Link for rotating assembly:
http://texas-speed.com/p-1016-tsp-40...-assembly.aspx
Link for rotating assembly:
http://texas-speed.com/p-1016-tsp-40...-assembly.aspx
I ordered the block from TSP. Next on the list to buy is the rotating assembly which I'm also going to buy from TSP. My question is which crank is better, Lunati or Texas Speed and Performance? Also, since I'm building this from new, essentially, what reluctor wheel should I go with? The block is a Gen III that I got from TSP.
Link for rotating assembly:
http://texas-speed.com/p-1016-tsp-40...-assembly.aspx
Link for rotating assembly:
http://texas-speed.com/p-1016-tsp-40...-assembly.aspx
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Alright so I received the block this past week (LQ9 Gen III brand new block from TSP) and new stock LS3 heads. I'll be going with the TSP rotating assembly I linked to above. Next it's time to figure out what rockers, valve springs, cam, and timing chain.
Anyone have suggestions to what I should all go with to reach my goal of 550rwhp?
Anyone have suggestions to what I should all go with to reach my goal of 550rwhp?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
Alright so I received the block this past week (LQ9 Gen III brand new block from TSP) and new stock LS3 heads. I'll be going with the TSP rotating assembly I linked to above. Next it's time to figure out what rockers, valve springs, cam, and timing chain.
Anyone have suggestions to what I should all go with to reach my goal of 550rwhp?
Anyone have suggestions to what I should all go with to reach my goal of 550rwhp?
anyone?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 35
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I chose the Lunati Forged Crankshaft.