I don't know if this was the proper place to find the info i needed as i am swapping to a newer style vortec in my 1998 and getting rid of my god awful 305 vortec i would say im doing an LS swap but hardcore ls guys get offended when i say im putting in a lq4 or lq9 and that it isnt a true ls swap yet iv heard all parts are interchangeable and what not.

with that being said i was wondering if anyone can help lead me in the right direction for my build iv been looking for parts through summit jegs motorstate etc and get completely overwhelmed with ls1-ls9 or its for an lq9 but not an lq4....so im just wondering if anyone could give me some insight what works and what doesnt and what to look for as i order parts

 

Welcome! Yes, an LQ4 or LQ9 swap is considered an LS swap.

I'd recommend going on the Conversions and Hybrids forum and searching for your type of vehicle. You will have to do a lot of reading and research to determine what is required, what works and what doesn't. Good luck!

 

Welcome to LS1Tech! It can be very overwhelming for sure. A couple pointers...
LS architecture is all the same, iron or aluminum. Let those that get offended, be offended. If they are not offended at you, they will find something else to be offended by. It’s just who they are.
There were slight changes made between gen3 and gen4, around the 05’ model years. Rods, headbolts, a couple sensor locations, reluctor wheel teeth count, etc...Nothing major.
Before you purchase anything, have a plan, and a budget. I see lots of mistakes made buying used parts that end up wrong, or no good. Costs you almost double to buy it twice. Remember that. Better off buying new most of the time.
Do your homework. Research here what combinations work and what combinations don’t work. Read, read, read. I can’t say that enough.
Be cautious of whom your taking advice from here. Post count means nothing. Some folks here have never touched an LS engine, yet spit out info on threads needlessly. Some will post, just for arguments sake. It can be really annoying at times. Some guys here parrot (say what was said to them) info to others, and don’t even know what any of it means. You will figure out quickly who’s who, if you pay attention. It’s this way on all automotive forums. Just the way it is.
I can’t count how many projects I’ve seen abandoned due to poor planning, and budgets that get blown up. Take your time here. If your in a hurry, you will make mistakes.
Ask questions. It’s how you learn. You’ll get a lot of different advice, and you’ll have to figure out how to weigh through it all.
There are shops out there that will rape you. Use a shop that has lots of great reviews and has LS experience. See this all the time on lots of forums.
Enjoy the journey. If it’s not fun, you will hate every step of it.

 

thank you sooo much man thats just it...what years is what? like when did the gen 3 start and end and as for what 6L to buy at the scrap yard im stuck i have no idea what year of ls is a good platform to start with

 

thanks a bunch man

 

Gen3 was debuted in the 97’ Vette as the LS1...23 years ago. Gen4 came along...kinda blurry here as GM couldn’t just draw a line in the sand because they had too much Gen3 inventory...in 2005. Some 2005 stuff is Gen3 and some is Gen4....and then there other other oddities like gen4 rods in a Gen3 engine as early as 03. It’s confusing, even for guys that have been around this stuff from the beginning, such as I. Gen 5 debuted in 2014 in trucks, but Gen4 stuck around for several years in other applications...even more confusing.
If I were looking for an iron 6liter to buy today, I’d look for a LY6, which was made from 07’ to 10’. It’s a Gen4, has the good rods, square port heads (vs. the cathedral port heads), and can be outfitted with a cam, intake and headers to make 500 easy hp.
If you want aluminum, look for an LS2. It’s a Gen4 aluminum 6liter with good rods, the best cathedral port head GM ever made, and can make 500 hp with the right mods as well.
Generally aluminum engines will cost you a tad more than iron. Kinda boils down to budget and intended use. You want to boost the engine?...go iron. More durable, and cylinders will stay round longer, under big boost setups.
I could talk for hours here, and not cover it all. Lots of info here on Tech. I’d suggest you dig in and study up. Read, read, read.