Why did the LS4 have to go away?
TECH Regular
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Midland MI
I get about 14.5 MPG, although I drive in the city strictly. If and when I am on the highway I get between 25-27 mpg at about 72 mph. WISH the GXP's told you when it was in DOD, instead of listening for helicopters overhead! 
On The Tree
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 184
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From: Pleasantville, Ohio
Other than the obvious mods to be placed in the front drivers, how close is the LS4 to the aluminum truck engines??? I know they had to shorten the crank and other things, but is the block , etc the same??
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 19
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From: Tomball TX right outside (north) of Houston TX
I believe the LS1 lasted until 2004 in the C5 corvette, correct me if im wrong but I believe this to be true.
The LS4 was an LS engine but it was different from the other LS engines in many ways.
The truck engines are LSx engines through and through.
Almost all traditional 5.3s (trucks, tahoe's etc) were iron block with aluminum heads. It was not dependent on 4x4, 2wd, etc. The aluminum 5.3s were the same as the iron 5.3s aside from being aluminum of course. The list of vehicles that got the aluminum block 5.3s was very small. The main one that comes to everyone's mind is of course the SSR with the L33. It was the same as the iron 5.3 and was 100% LSx and compatible and interchangable with LS1 etc. Same crankshaft and all.
The LS4 is the only oddball in the family with it's tranny mounted starter, shorter crank, etc.
The truck engines are LSx engines through and through.
Almost all traditional 5.3s (trucks, tahoe's etc) were iron block with aluminum heads. It was not dependent on 4x4, 2wd, etc. The aluminum 5.3s were the same as the iron 5.3s aside from being aluminum of course. The list of vehicles that got the aluminum block 5.3s was very small. The main one that comes to everyone's mind is of course the SSR with the L33. It was the same as the iron 5.3 and was 100% LSx and compatible and interchangable with LS1 etc. Same crankshaft and all.
The LS4 is the only oddball in the family with it's tranny mounted starter, shorter crank, etc.
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The LS4 block is actualy longer then all other LS(x) blocks (but the crank and accessory drive are much shorter). The rear flange of the crank was shortened 3mm vs. the RWD versions, but the crank flange is flush with the FWD pattern bellhousing of the block (which just a 3mm change would not do). If you look closely at the FWD bellhousing pattern, it is raised about 1/4" from the RWD bellhousing flange and the FWD bellhousing clears all the bolts for the rear cover plate where as they protrude from the RWD bellhousing surface.
So using a 1/4" adapter plate on the other LS engine should get you very close to installing a non-ls4 engine in place of an LS4 (using the LS4 accessory drive and shortening the crank...
TheLS4 was probably killed due to the combinations of it distroying way to many 4T65e-HD's under waranty, the LS4 needing a tranny mounted starter (so any transmission upgrade would also require another specialized, low volume transmission case), lastly the DI trend and smaller displacement obtaining the same HP levels with smaller packages, weight and better fuel efficiency.
So using a 1/4" adapter plate on the other LS engine should get you very close to installing a non-ls4 engine in place of an LS4 (using the LS4 accessory drive and shortening the crank...
TheLS4 was probably killed due to the combinations of it distroying way to many 4T65e-HD's under waranty, the LS4 needing a tranny mounted starter (so any transmission upgrade would also require another specialized, low volume transmission case), lastly the DI trend and smaller displacement obtaining the same HP levels with smaller packages, weight and better fuel efficiency.
