My Swap Plan (comments welcome)

[SS From the "Wood"]

I believe I've settled on a drivetrain setup for my soon, but not soon enough, project truck. I'll be doing an '84 conversion from 3/4 ton LWB to 1/2 ton SWB, and want to drop in a true LS6/2 (prob find a vette takeout & 400hp to start ) backed by a 4L80E. Performance plans for the motor are: streetable mild cam w/ valvetrain upgrades, maybe a set of TF "as cast" 220cc heads or a port 'n polish of the factory heads, FAST LSXr 102mm intake & throttlebody, headers, good tune, stall, gears, etc... would like to get around 4-500hp to the tires.

All of this, plus a frame off resto w/ air ride on a mediocre budget! Any good advice, rants, raves, feelings of indifferency (think I may have just invented that word) on my setup... I wanna hear from you. I have it in my head what I invision, and decided on the car motor for the high HP rating, and I'm a former CTS-V owner/modifier in love w/ this series of truck & motor! Just want it to inhale/exhale like Mr. Hyde while appearing like Dr. Jeckyl all the while. I'm going to have a stock exhaust (headers back) bolted up w/ DMH cutout(s) installed before muffler(s) too just for

-shannon

[nomrlz]

sounds like a nice plan for a killer driver.

[narx66gmc]

I'd do a ls6 intake instead of the lsxr $800... And skip the tb too. And a truck 6.0 w a good cam, ls6 intake, 317 heads and a good tune shd make 450+/-... Up the compression just 1 or 1.5 and ur closer to 450 whp. And that'll b ab the cost of the ls6 on it's own...

I like the plan... But forget the words budget frame off...
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[SS From the "Wood"]

The LQ4/9 would be more readily available and cheaper... hmmmm... keep the advice coming fellas!

[CamaroChris]

Take your budget and triple it LOL I was thinking,"eh maybe 3-4k to build my suburban". I'm in around 7k, I rounded down tho LOL

[nibs]

Im in the almost same situation as you OP. I decided to go the LQ4 route as it was cheaper, plus it came with 243 heads, which were used on the LS2/6. Im shooting for about 450 at the wheels.

[BACKYARD88]

I went with the LQ4 as well. Do your research and build it right and you won't be disappointed. I planned to build mine on a budget, good luck with that

[SS From the "Wood"]

I should've edited my note on the budget... by mediocre budget, I simply meant that I could build the truck I want, and can use, for a fraction of what something in a new generation would cost. I'm certainly not thinking I can get away w/ a mere few thousand dollars here, but don't have to spend 20 either! 10-12 large will give me all my heart desires... and more (ahemmmm!!!)

[BR3W CITY]

Originally Posted by nibs

Im in the almost same situation as you OP. I decided to go the LQ4 route as it was cheaper, plus it came with 243 heads, which were used on the LS2/6. Im shooting for about 450 at the wheels.

What year is your motor? I assume the 243's were added, since from what I can find the lq4 had the 317's as the stock heads. I've heard of stranger things tho lol.

[harnalien]

I'd say if you want something to drop in and go without cracking it open, go with your original plan. However, if you don't mind getting dirty, you could probably spice up an LQ4 for a lot less and get more out of it. Just plan, plan, plan, then plan for mistakes, lol!

[SS From the "Wood"]

thx... enjoyed reading your build! loved your reaction on startup! Like "Holy $hit balls! It works!

The LQ4/9 seem to be in higher availability (not really to my surprise<<joking) over the LS6, and considerably less. This is likely the route I'll take.

[SS From the "Wood"]

off topic, but I'm looking at the one piece windows now too and questioning the quality?...

[nibs]

I have the brothers kit. I like them so far. I only have one tiny little leak when I wash the truck, but I absolutely soak it... Their customer service was TOP NOTCH as well.

[nibs]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

What year is your motor? I assume the 243's were added, since from what I can find the lq4 had the 317's as the stock heads. I've heard of stranger things tho lol.

Its a 2006. the 243 heads and intake manifold that came with the engine when I bought it are from a LS2 GTO. Of course, they didnt come bolted on there from the factory, I just bought them from a guy that bought them separately. Plus, using the 243 heads will bump up my CR to ~10.1:1 due to the smaller combustion chambers...

[BR3W CITY]

gotcha makes sense.

[Mr. 250r]

You should look into the LSXrt manifold if your doing an lq4/9 as the ls1/2/6 are all quite highly priced and i think of FAST's manifolds it makes the most power because of its size but it may have hood clearance problems and some don't like the look i personally do as far as ls2's go the manifold are 'said' to be the worst just something i've read from ls1tech and ls1/2 gto forums, the 4l80 is a great backing to it but its also a big of a power hog but with the expected mods it'd be fine

[SS From the "Wood"]

I found an '02 Caddy 6.0L, and my assumption is that it's an LQ9. My question is I also found an AT for same year Caddy, but the part description has a note about a 5.3L along with it. Would this combo work as if I scored a motor/trans from same vehicle? Is it the 4l80e?

[Shon]

not that running a car intake with truck accessories can be trying with patience...I am in the process of such. Its on there and is fine but it doesnt just bolt on....
depending on WP you use you may need spacers. U will have to clearance the bracketry, relocate a pulley and get a Fbody tensioner. yes these are easy but increase your cost and thought process.

[SS From the "Wood"]

Decided against car intake. If I do an aftermarket, I will likely consider the lsxrt from FAST. My hope is for a low mileage (-100k mi) LQ9 w/ 4l80e w/ a stout top end (heads/cam/intake/TB.)
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[Shon]

if you going to change the heads get the LQ4, they are slightly cheaper (at least around here).
and with a H/C package you probably will see the benefit of the FAST if you going to need to spin the motor over 6k, truck intake gives up about there and the demand for more air will help with the FAST.
have fun!

[Clownpuncher]

Here is some thoughts. Any truck motor can be found cheap mostly because there is a crap load out there but they most likely will have alot of miles on them.

Any 6.0 is a better choice because it has a 4" bore which for $800.00 from GM you can get fully assembled LS3/ L92 heads that will out flow any 243/799 head stock. You will just need a LS3 style intake.

Stay away from the 102rr. We tried them and unless your building a motor with alot of flow it's a loss of some power. Stick with a 92mm.

I had a stock crate LS2 with a Lunati cam, Fast intake, 92mm Throttle body and Stainless Works long tubes and made 425 at the rear wheels. If I would have installed the LS3/ L92 heads intake etc it would have been good for another 40-50hp

Factor in someone to actually tune it. Not a mail order tune. This will make even more power.

If you go the LS route and use the car intake it looks like the Y body (Vette) acessories will work. There is alot of options on this but it depends on your budget. Me personally the truck intake needs to be covered and the alternator sits up a tad bit too high but it's much cheaper and easier to find.

Good luck

[BR3W CITY]

Clownpuncher, I love your username. I hate clowns.

Related to this topic, can you still use a DBW throttle body if you switch to a larger aftermarket manifold?

[Clownpuncher]

Yes. For example the Fast intake was 92mm, before that it was 90mm. So it wasn't necessary to replace your throttle body that let's say may have been 86mm. It all bolt's up the same. Most people if they want a bigger throttle body and keep the DBW features they just have them ported. I actually had a 92mm on an old FAST 90mm intake. Worked fine

Yeah I'm not down with clown's either..

[SS From the "Wood"]

clownpuncher,

you may have had the most convincing argument thus far on the subject... i like your style, and it sounds like you've got some sense. I'll respect the ideas of most anyone that has experience to back it up. thank you.

-shannon

[Clownpuncher]

No problemo,

Just trying to give you some good feed back rather then spend your money where it's not needed. These motor's are super simple and make great power for cheap, but can get expensive real quick.