My budget LQ4/4L80E build! update, way over budget, 9's or bust!

[eviltwin]

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build! update, way over budget, 9's or bust!

Today I was finally able to work on the truck again.

Welded a -10 bung on the valley cover and driver side valve cover and welded a -16 bung in place of the oil fill cap. Each bung will have a -10 line to a vented catch can. I was also able to pull out the wiring harness and tranny coolers.

This piece of shit aluminum core support was not made square(1/2" higher on one side) so I will be picking up more aluminum this week to redo the lower half of it. Once I fix that I can finish mounting the radiator and intercooler next weekend.

 

[Black Knight]

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build! update, way over budget, 9's or bust!

What are you doing with the wiring harness now?

Whys the top of the intake taped off?

 

[It's just a six]

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build! update, way over budget, 9's or bust!

That intake should be a big improvement especially on the top end.

All the stock LS intakes lack the top end making higer RPM power, & the truck intakes were the worst. Just made for low end torque mainly. At a certain RPM, they would just hit a wall & really not make anymore power.

I never really understood those aluminum core supports, it just looked like it is missing parts in order for them to work correctly.
I also thought the price was really high for what you got.

 

[eviltwin]

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build! update, way over budget, 9's or bust!

What are you doing with the wiring harness now?

Whys the top of the intake taped off?

I have to rework the harness to go around the intake instead of over it like the LS truck harnesses do. The intake is taped so I don't get it dirty with my hands. You know everytime I touch a truck I get dirty or ATF in my hair.

That intake should be a big improvement especially on the top end.

All the stock LS intakes lack the top end making higer RPM power, & the truck intakes were the worst. Just made for low end torque mainly. At a certain RPM, they would just hit a wall & really not make anymore power.

I never really understood those aluminum core supports, it just looked like it is missing parts in order for them to work correctly.
I also thought the price was really high for what you got.

Ya this core support is a complete joke. Once I'm done with it, the only original tube will be the top one. I can't believe people paid $400+ for one.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build! update, way over budget, 9's or bust!

What's the budget at right now? That seems to have gone by the wayside...

Also, forgive the ignorant question but how did you come to choose an LQ4 engine? What would be the difference with an LS?

 

[It's just a six]

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build! update, way over budget, 9's or bust!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Vortec_engine

The LQ4 has less compression than most LS series engines. Plus its one of the larger engines 6.0

 

[eviltwin]

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build! update, way over budget, 9's or bust!

What's the budget at right now? That seems to have gone by the wayside...

Also, forgive the ignorant question but how did you come to choose an LQ4 engine? What would be the difference with an LS?

All LS motors are based off the same basic platform. The LQ4 block is the biggest iron block availible. I chose that because it already has the correct flywheel for the 80e, comes with the truck coils(best factory coils), relatively cheap to buy, factory 317 heads, and is a great platform when I comes to forging it. I'd say I probably have about $22,000 into the truck including vehicle cost. Then subtract what ever I sold off the truck. I could easily shave off $3,000 from what I know now if I were to build it again.

 

[NJSERRANO]

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build! update, way over budget, 9's or bust!

This thread is amazing!

Did you like the Tru-Boost set up? Any problems?

I really like the digital readout and sweep combo. I saw some overlays for the "aem" logo that could be "GMC" or "Syclone."

 

[eviltwin]

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build! update, way over budget, 9's or bust!

This thread is amazing!

Did you like the Tru-Boost set up? Any problems?

I really like the digital readout and sweep combo. I saw some overlays for the "aem" logo that could be "GMC" or "Syclone."

Its great for a street control but terrible for the track. I will be going to a time based race controller like the AMS1000. We still have one on our Ty and really like it though.

 

[eviltwin]

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build! update, way over budget, 9's or bust!

Got a few more hours in today. The core support just needs a few finishing touches including intercooler mounts but it really close to done. Once that's finished I will move onto the new aluminum cold side and then rework to downpipe. It's looking better and better everyday.

 

[Quickstop [UK]]

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build! update, way over budget, 9's or bust!

Great stuff!

Did you mill the intake in the end?

 

[eviltwin]

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build! update, way over budget, 9's or bust!

Great stuff!

Did you mill the core support in the end?

You mean the intake? I haven't yet but I am going to. Pretty sure I'm gonna have it just say syclone but since I have alot of other stuff to do first, I'm not rushing the mill job.

 

[eviltwin]

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build! update, way over budget, 9's or bust!

Got the intercooler to throttle body tubing tacked up today. Just need to finish welding it and put on my BOV. Need one silicon coupler for the turbo side and the cold side will be finished. Then it will be new down pipe and lots of wiring

 

[It's just a six]

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build! update, way over budget, 9's or bust!

Looking good.

Is that an Ebay intercooler? Bar & plate design?
I'm asking because I have something simular & was wondering how good it cools down the intake charge?
Have you measured any pressure drop from the intercooler?

Are you welding the aluminum w/a mig or tig welder?

 

[eviltwin]

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build! update, way over budget, 9's or bust!

Looking good.

Is that an Ebay intercooler? Bar & plate design?
I'm asking because I have something simular & was wondering how good it cools down the intake charge?
Have you measured any pressure drop from the intercooler?

Are you welding the aluminum w/a mig or tig welder?

Ya it's an eBay unit. With no meth I was at about 10* over ambient at 10psi and about 20* below ambient with the meth at the same boost. Haven't measured the pressure drop but I will once it's back together. All tig welded.

 

[eviltwin]

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build! update, way over budget, 9's or bust!

Finished the water pump mods today. Previously my upper hose ran across the top of the radiator and looped around to the radiator outlet. So I cut off part of the water pump outlet and tig welded a stainless bend onto it. Here is how it will be run now...

You can see in the first pic, my newest addition to my garage, Syncrowave 200

 

[nallj92]

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build! update, way over budget, 9's or bust!

nice welder, how much do they run new?

I figured you would have the thing running by now.

 

[eviltwin]

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build! update, way over budget, 9's or bust!

nice welder, how much do they run new?

I figured you would have the thing running by now.

The welder is about $2300 new as a runner. I wish it was running again but my schedule has been so busy I'm lucky to put 4hrs a week with it.

 

[e95 Ty]

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build! update, way over budget, 9's or bust!

Been watching this thread for a while.....looking great. Must feel good to be getting closer to completion:tup:

 

[eviltwin]

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build! update, way over budget, 9's or bust!

Been watching this thread for a while.....looking great. Must feel good to be getting closer to completion:tup:

Absolutely! Some more updates. Thanks to the holiday I got to put in more work today. Welded all of the intake tubing except for the BOV and got the intake and fuel rail all hooked up except for the return.