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

eviltwin

"junkyard syclone"
Some background first. I purchased syclone 1060 back in March of this year. When i first got the trck i really wanted to do a 6 speed swap because i really like 6 speeds (check out my other cars in my sig). I soon realized that i wanted to make the truck really fast in a staight line and a 6 speed is not going to do that. Then i wanted to do vortec heads and a big turbo but didnt want to drop $2500 on a build 700r4. So i said i would do a 4L80E. Until i did some research and realized how big of a rip off it is to do that swap.

Now to the present. My goal at the end has always been to run i the 10's. I didnt care how i got there, but i wanted to keep it streetable for daily use. So having LS powered cars before i decided that that was the best choice for speed and reliability. After alot of research i made a game plan.

-LQ4/4L80E
-tc78 turbnetics turbo
-60lb injectors
-front mount intercooler
-2bar speed density tune
-arp rod bolts
-custom made headers by me
-modified stock oil pan by me
-motor/trans mounts by me
-3600 stall converter
-custom build wiring harness by me

I will be keeping a complete log of every dime i spend. I am going to prove that you make a syty reliable and super fast without dropping 15k. I will be doing everything myself except for the tune. I will make everything that i can and buy only what i have too. There is alot to buy so i will list it as i get it. right now i am shooting for 550whp. I will see how far that gets me at the track and go from there.

Here are some rules i am going to stick to. Keep A/C. Keep AWD. Do this as cheap as possible but do not compromise on safety. Run in the 10's and drive home on pump gas.

Here is the truck
SYCLONEANDCAT001.jpg


And now to start the build thread.

Got to stop all that power so i got C5 brakes all around. $275
securedownload-2-1.jpg


And got this today. 01 LQ4 and 04 4L80E. $1610
securedownload-1-1.jpg


build total $1885
 
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Captain Morgan

Moderated User
Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

looks like you got a good head start on things. looking forward to seeing your progress :tup:
 

Syclone0565

CustomMulticades.com
Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

I did the exact build your talking about. LQ4 6.0L and already had the 4L80E in it. I have tons of pictures and videos of the build and progress. I even used a 76 turbo for it and 60# injectors. :) I paid $950 for a complete LQ4 pullout (76k miles) with harness and computer and all accessories.

:tup:
 

Norm

Donating Member
Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Where the heck are you guys finding these engines/tranny's that cheap? I'll be watching this thread pretty close as this is what I am thinking of doing.
 

T-Bone

Active member
Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Where the heck are you guys finding these engines/tranny's that cheap? I'll be watching this thread pretty close as this is what I am thinking of doing.

Norm, go to car_part.com and you can find virtually anything automobile related. This stuff is NOT near as expensive as some would have you believe :tup:.
 

T-Bone

Active member
Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

I just did a quick search under 1994 GMC 1500 truck for a 4L80E. See for yourself: scroll down to $385.09 price and you will find a VIN S (110K miles) in Alabama (210 miles from me). There is another one with 80K miles for $500 (30 miles from me).
 

AWDcameoLSX

Member
Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Nice! I cant wait to see another LSx build. More to learn before I start the engine/drivetrain on my cameo :tup:

O yea and T-bone do you have a link to that car_part site i keep getting adress not found
 

sy1907

SYCOTIC
Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

following intently...This will be sweet!

Any issues with mounting a pre-2000 4L80E with an LQ4 or LQ9? I found a '99 4L80E for cheap and I'm thinking of picking it up....
 
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2500avalanche

Well-known member
Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Very interested inbuild. I am in the process of this as well. I will keep posted to this one
 

eviltwin

"junkyard syclone"
Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

have exact same setup here. waiting for V6 and 700r to go boom before transition.

i couldnt wait. my v6/700r4 run great right now:rotf: the only time it runs great i decide to pull it. i just got a great p.m. from george blake and i will be buying a input shaft when he gets back to me.. I will update the prices when my credit card is charged. today i am going to strip down the motor to a long block and clean everything. I will also start cutting to oil pan.
 

It's just a six

Super Member
Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Have you run the V-6 at a track?
Just wondering when you say it's running great,,,,,how great is that?
 

2500avalanche

Well-known member
Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

George is a great guy! I am buying the entire 4l80E set up for my truck from him. Also, on a side note, he works for a great charity as well!
i couldnt wait. my v6/700r4 run great right now:rotf: the only time it runs great i decide to pull it. i just got a great p.m. from george blake and i will be buying a input shaft when he gets back to me.. I will update the prices when my credit card is charged. today i am going to strip down the motor to a long block and clean everything. I will also start cutting to oil pan.
 

eviltwin

"junkyard syclone"
Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Have you run the V-6 at a track?
Just wondering when you say it's running great,,,,,how great is that?

i never went to the track since its been running good. It just idles nice, never stalls, no leaks, and is pretty quick.
 

eviltwin

"junkyard syclone"
Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

ok i took the motor down to a long block. Cleaned and inspected everything. i didnt take pics of everything.
motor1.jpg

motor2.jpg

and put it back together
motor3.jpg

now to start on the oil pan

purchased bolts to bolt engine to engine stand $2


build total $1887
 

It's just a six

Super Member
Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

What ever you do, do not use the stock truck intake,,it's too restrictive. .even when turbo or supercharging,,,they are very restrictive.

Also, if you can adapt the L92 heads, it might be worth it, they flow much better.
 

eviltwin

"junkyard syclone"
Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

What ever you do, do not use the stock truck intake,,it's too restrictive. .even when turbo or supercharging,,,they are very restrictive.

Also, if you can adapt the L92 heads, it might be worth it, they flow much better.

i am keeping it on a budget so no ls6 manifold and the ls1's are just as bad flowing as the trucks. The truck one is good for low end torque though, so it stays. there are plenty of people running the truck one with turbos and making good numbers. Again for budget sake i will stick with the stock 317 heads. they are the same as the ls6 heads but with bigger chambers so they flow really well for stock.

i started drawing lines to cut. should be all cut today and welded by the end of the week.
motor4.jpg
 

eviltwin

"junkyard syclone"
Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

more updates

just purchased input shaft, shifter cable, and cable bracket from george blake. he is a great guy to work with. very helpful even if you dont use all of his stuff. $622.85 (with donation)

build total $2509 and thats only after 2 days!:rotf:
 

eviltwin

"junkyard syclone"
Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

Re: My budget LQ4/4L80E build!

ok more updates.
i cut the oil pan, ready to make the fill plates.
motor5.jpg


i am getting surgery on my wrist tomorrow so updates might be alittle slow for awhile

I also bought some motron 60lb injectors $300

build total $2809
 
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