I know, I know - I should finish one project before starting on another (I have a problem with that in general).

Well, I went ahead and committed to a 2003 LQ4/4L80E. This will be going in the '57. Shouldn't be nearly the project the Berlinetta #2 LS1/T56 has been (famous last words). And, I won't start on this until after Berlinetta #2 is up and running, and the actual swap won't take place until after the racing season is over.

Surprisingly the aftermarket is covering the tri-five LSx swap as well (perhaps even slightly better) as it is for 3rd gens.

This will get a cam/valvetrain upgrade, more stall, and depending upon what condition it turns out to be in (147k miles), perhaps an engine rebuild (will be forged if that is done) and tranny refresh. Heads - not sure if I'll do some porting or just go aftermarket.

I've long wanted overdrive for the '57, and EFI isn't a bad move, either. Still haven't decided whether to run it on E85 or pump gas.

 

Awesome!

Only thing id say, if you take the heads off, atleast put some 243 castings, as the LQ4 is barely 9.5:1 compression with the 317's.

On a further note, the H/C/I/Pulley off my car will be FS this winter

 

It would be nice if I could swing some aftermarket heads. They seem to be pretty reasonable in price.

Hmmm....

I've been thinking of something different for the car for years. The Ram Jet 502 was the first thought. Last winter I picked up a bare 454 block, thinking I'd put the crank & rods from the 396 in it for a 427, and get better heads. Now I'm also picking up a complete 454 my brother found. But, building either of those would still cost as much as this is, and I'd still only have a non-OD/non-lock-up transmission, and I'd still be carb'd.

The goal is to exceed the 1/4 mile performance of the 396, with better driveability and improved fuel economy. Obtainable, I think. The 4L80E will increase weight over the TH400, but the LQ4 should decrease vs. the all-cast-iron BBC. Probably a wash by the time it's all through.

I need to start selling off stuff to make room (and finance this). I've got 2 TH700's, will have 3 BBC's, the TH400 & 3 torque converters, 4 BBC intake manifolds, etc., etc., etc.

 

Holy crap man! you got a ton of parts haha.

Not sure what your current ET is, but with some 1 3/4" headers, a H/C/I/Pulley 6.0L (Depending on parts etc) will generally do 420-470rwhp.

Im aiming for 460rwhp out of my setup.

I bought a Procharger, so i got plans for that next year

 

3825 lbs going down the track, 13.0's at 5800' elevation, 12.0's at sea level.

It would take about that kind of power.

 

YEAH baby!! I'm glad to see that the discussion we had a few months ago has borne fruit!!

Seriously, I think that's a great idea. Also, I should be done with the GTA by then, so I should be able to swing by on occasion & help ya wrench on it!

 

nice, LQ4/4L80E combo is what ive been working on...should make plenty of power for you... Got to go bolt the heads on in a few

 

This caught my eye http://store.summitracing.com/partde...0&autoview=sku . 550 HP with tuning, not sure what intake they used or if the truck intake would support it. I also have an LS2 intake, but not sure if the TB would clear the truck accessories.

 

LS2 intake wont clear truck Acc. Its a decent price, but you can peice together more power for cheaper.

Personally, if you've got the large bore, id go with the L92/LS3 heads.

L92 heads
L76 intake (or LSXR- $999 depending on budget)
90mm TB
MS3/4 Cam

You've got almost 500rwhp there with some big headers and nice exhaust, easy.

 

Hey five7, sending you a PM...

 

1-3/4" primary, 3" collector long-tubes with dual 3" mufflers and dual 2-1/2" full tail pipes "big" enough?

 

Wish i could get an exhaust like that into a thirdgen

 

I haven't seen 1-7/8" primary tri-five swap headers yet. But, there is an outfit in town that will build headers if it comes down to that.

L92 heads are looking more attractive. Would be able to put them together and still save several hundred over the TF kit. SD has upgraded and CNC upgraded heads for $1500 or less.

Man, I'd better get back to thinking about the LS1/T56 swap so I can get it finished and start on this project. . .

 

You can, just need good shocks.

 

Bit of an update:

I did go ahead and get new bare L92 heads offered to me by a member. That means limited intake choices, but I've heard decent things about the L76 intake, and have some leads there. That means f-body accessories (at least the water pump - I won't be running AC or PS).

Swap 1-7/8" primary LT headers are available. I'll probably go that route. The H8 oil pan kit will get the nod if the LQ4 pan is too deep (I've heard it doesn't work in trifives, but not why it doesn't work).

Biggest TBD's are cam and stall. I'm only seeing 3500 stall converters available for the 4L80E. I'm sure a custom unit could be had, but the higher stall off-the-shelf units are going for about a grand! If I'm limited to 3500 stall, that limits the cam, so I'm not sure it would run the current numbers without more cam.

Of course, SDParts does have a 408 stroker kit. . .

 

Any information comparing the L76 and L92 intake manifolds? With the truck intake I wouldn't have to change the front accessories.

NM, found it http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/genera...omparison.html

 

Okay, L76 intake on the way. Bare, though, so need TB (needed a cable unit, anyway), injectors, and fuel rail.

The MS3 cam looks pretty attractive. The MS4 should make more power, but not sure unmodified L92 heads and stock L76 intake would make it worthwhile.

I've gotten advice elsewhere that suggest the heads should be port matched tot he intake. Sounds a bit weird that the head ports would be smaller than the intake ports. Guess we'll see when all the parts are in one place.

 

heads and intake ports should line up rather closely as it's o-ring gaskets. Secondly, L92 heads do not respond well to typical off the shelf cams with cathedral port heads. Contact patrick G off ls1tech and have him spec you out a custom cam to your exact combo. I know what cam I'm going with but I don't think a 4500-5000 stall and big gears are in your future

 

Found his website. I'll consider a couple of combinations (such as stock LQ4 w/L92 heads vs. stroked LQ4 w/L92 heads).