LQ4/4L80E for project build?

[96Firebird]

This will be my first major project, pretty much re-doing the '76 C10 my dad gave to me for a graduation for college gift. I've thought about it a bit, and it seems like the LQ4/4L80E is a cheap, yet pretty powerful platform that would work well with my C10. However, I am wondering if there are any other suggested platforms that can be done on a budget (I do have student loans to pay back... D? I will be calling around to local recycling centers to see what they have in stock, but so far I have found an LQ4 with 32k miles for $1800. I am going to need everything to convert the carbed truck into FI, so that means I need a computer and all that too, right? First time doing something like this, but don't want to waste money.

 

[Christobevii3]

Call current performance about getting a stand alone harness and computer program setup.

http://www.currentperformance.com/eng_mgt.html

Also why do you want the 4L80E? The 4L60E is good when rebuilt correctly for 500-600hp and weighs quite a bit less and cheaper. A stock 4L60E or 4L80E is going to be sorta sloppy just fyi. I have a 5.3L 4L60E swapped into an s10 blazer.

 

[JCH13]

I don't know anything about GM engines, I won't lie, but I do have experience with the Megasquirt, an aftermarket EFI system. It should be possible to control the engine you're talking about with a Megasquirt.

You can get the supreme, deluxe, MSIII setup for about $550 assembled, or $370 unassembled. You can even get the MSI kit, unassembled, for as low as $203. Not as capable as the MS3, but I've got one in my turbo Miata and it works just fine

After some quick Wiki searching, why not an LQ9? Are they significantly more expensive?

EDIT: wouldn't be plug-n-play like the Current Performance setup that Christobevii3 suggests, much assembly is required, but definitely less expensive.

 

[96Firebird]

What do you mean "sorta sloppy"? I wanted a 4L80E because the truck is fairly heavy to begin with, and I don't want the weak point to be the transmission.

And the LQ9s are more expensive. The same place I can get the LQ4 with 32k miles for $1800 has the LQ9 with 47k miles for $2000. I wouldn't be against it, it just doesn't seem worth the extra price for the flat-top pistons. I may dig into whatever motor I end up getting anyways, but probably won't do too much to it.

 

[joutlaw]

You can find 5.3/4L60E swaps for much less. You can also do a carb swap on the LS motors and they make great power.

My FIL is doing a 98 vortec swap into his 83 Sierra. He removed the FI setup and is using a TH350 for a transmission. I tried to get him to go the LS route, but he is more comfortable with the old school SBC's.

 

[Christobevii3]

Does megasquirt control the transmission? If not you have to look at a 700r4 which is a pain in the ass imo.

LQ9 was only available in the ss silverado for a few years. It just had slightly higher compression ratio and for the cost he can get some l92 heads, valve springs, cam and do better.

 

[joutlaw]

What rearend is the truck? If its a 10 or 12 bolt it won't last long especially if its a gov-lock.

 

[96Firebird]

Not sure what is in it now, but my dad used to drag race this truck back when I was younger. It is tubbed and had slicks on it, so I am guessing he was smart enough to use something beefy back there. I know it has 4.10 gears too...

 

[joutlaw]

I would imagine so too. That's a good looking truck.

The LS motors like to rev so I would consider a cam and stall swap if you go the LQ4 or LM7(5.3) route.

You should be able to hook up with that tire setup.

 

[96Firebird]

Thanks for the info. As for the tires, I know all the slicks are rotted and I think one of the wheels are bent, so looks like I will be purchasing new ones anyways. And one thing I am afraid of is having those huge slicks and no power to move the truck. Maybe I'll just throw skinnies on there until I make enough power to actually need the fatties.

 

[JCH13]

Does megasquirt control the transmission? If not you have to look at a 700r4 which is a pain in the ass imo.

LQ9 was only available in the ss silverado for a few years. It just had slightly higher compression ratio and for the cost he can get some l92 heads, valve springs, cam and do better.

MS does not, as far as I know, control an automatic transmission. OP: get a manual

I read that the LQ9 was in a few other vehicles too, but I'd believe that with a few mods more power can be had for less $$.

 

[Plugers]

MS does not, as far as I know, control an automatic transmission. OP: get a manual

I read that the LQ9 was in a few other vehicles too, but I'd believe that with a few mods more power can be had for less $$.

there is a megasquirt electronic auto rom, but I'm not sure what trans' it supports.

http://www.megasquirt-info.net/megasquirt_chrysler_videos_youtube.php

http://www.msextra.com/doc/trans/ <~~L480E is listed

 

[JCH13]

there is a megasquirt electronic auto rom, but I'm not sure what trans' it supports.

http://www.megasquirt-info.net/megasquirt_chrysler_videos_youtube.php

http://www.msextra.com/doc/trans/ <~~L480E is listed

Very cool, I think I was looking at MS1 documentation, I didn't check MS2 docs. Nice find.

 

[96Firebird]

OP: get a manual

I'd love to, but I think the work would be over my head. I miss my Firebird, that was a manual...

 

[Ronstang]

I'm not sure they there is any discussion about a Megasquirt in this thread because if you are spending the money to get a nice engine like that just use the EFI that is right on the engine. Get all the wiring harnesses and the computer out of the donor vehicle. This will be the easiest and cheapest method and yield the best results. You then buy the wiring diagram for the donor vehicle and yours and begin your work. It really is not that hard. I have done this quite a few times and the results are always rewarding.

 

[JCH13]

I'd love to, but I think the work would be over my head. I miss my Firebird, that was a manual...

You're doing an engine and transmission R&R and you don't think you could do a manual transmission upgrade? You, sir, underestimate yourself.

 

[Plugers]

I'm not sure they there is any discussion about a Megasquirt in this thread because if you are spending the money to get a nice engine like that just use the EFI that is right on the engine. Get all the wiring harnesses and the computer out of the donor vehicle. This will be the easiest and cheapest method and yield the best results. You then buy the wiring diagram for the donor vehicle and yours and begin your work. It really is not that hard. I have done this quite a few times and the results are always rewarding.

+1 on that.

If you can get the works for $1800 there is no reason to to use the stock ECU.

I was just adding to the comment that MS is an option.

You're doing an engine and transmission R&R and you don't think you could do a manual transmission upgrade? You, sir, underestimate yourself.

If it is a manual swap also, then a MS may be a good option though.

 

[Tristicus]

You're doing an engine and transmission R&R and you don't think you could do a manual transmission upgrade? You, sir, underestimate yourself.

Yeah. You can get a 6-speed that came with the 6.0 in the 2500s, right?

 

[JCH13]

I'm not sure they there is any discussion about a Megasquirt in this thread because if you are spending the money to get a nice engine like that just use the EFI that is right on the engine. Get all the wiring harnesses and the computer out of the donor vehicle. This will be the easiest and cheapest method and yield the best results. You then buy the wiring diagram for the donor vehicle and yours and begin your work. It really is not that hard. I have done this quite a few times and the results are always rewarding.

=shrug= It can work either way. I personally don't like hacking two wiring harnesses together (done it, was a nightmare to debug anything a few weeks later when it wasn't fresh in my head). The MS may be more work up-front, but it is also very rewarding.

The MS can give you many fun toys, including launch control, flat-foot shift control, nitrous control, the ability to tune for E85 and for boosted intake pressures, increase or decrease rev-limits, program a shift light, and squeeze every ounce of power out with a professional tune on a dyno. You can switch between different fuel and spark maps even. It's inexpensive and you can buy wiring harness pigtails for it so the wiring is clearly labeled, neatly routed, and un-spliced.

I really like it because I like fiddling with things, I think it's a lot of fun.

 

[Christobevii3]

Yeah. You can get a 6-speed that came with the 6.0 in the 2500s, right?

He would want the t56 imo. I would seriously call current performance. You would get a custom tune for the exact heads, engine, cam setup that you have and be streetable. A guy on the s10 forum is still using the same harness from a 5.3L build with 400hp to a 800whp 6.0L build now all using a 4L60e and running low 9's with a 4000lb truck. With the 5.3L turbo setup he was still getting mid 20's mpg on the highway with a/c.

 

[Gillbot]

You can find 5.3/4L60E swaps for much less. You can also do a carb swap on the LS motors and they make great power.

My FIL is doing a 98 vortec swap into his 83 Sierra. He removed the FI setup and is using a TH350 for a transmission. I tried to get him to go the LS route, but he is more comfortable with the old school SBC's.

This ^

I have gotten a couple of deals for friends with a LOT of patience. $250 for a complete dropout motor/trans/ecu that all they had to do was fab the mounts and drive.

 

[franksta]

If you haven't yet you may want to spend some time at Ls1tech.com
One of the best places I've found for 3rd and 4th generation SBC motors.

Good luck with it, your truck looks sharp.

 

[yottabit]

For some reason I felt like the 700r4 was easier for swaps like this, but I don't know if anyone is still using that transmission

Might be easier w/o having to worry about the electronics

 

[joutlaw]

For some reason I felt like the 700r4 was easier for swaps like this, but I don't know if anyone is still using that transmission

Might be easier w/o having to worry about the electronics

Definately the way to go if you go carb. Otherwise you would need a standalone transmission controller for the 4L80E/4L60E.

 

[Rifter]

If you are trying to save cash why dont you just rebuilt what you have, or buy a 350 small block core and rebuild it and drop it in. Will be possible for well under $1000. Then pair it up to a TH350 or TH 400.

That said though if you really do want to go FI then just grab a complete harness from the donor truck and wiring will not be that hard, just make sure you get the complete harness with computer.