LQ4 6.0L engine 2002 HD

[thachevythang]

So I got a deal on a LQ4 block. I've read on ls1 tech that they are just LS engines on a truck designated as LQ. Looking at it, It doesn't have same intake but the rest seems to look alike and I've read I can throw an LS6 intake on it!!! The engine can make 400hp easy and with more mods can reach up to 800hp. I'm just in the early stages and I always come here for the expert advice and opinions. I'm not even close to knowing what I can get out of it but I do know it's by far they best set up I've got to do my 305 swap out. What can I expect from this stock LQ4? What kind of mods should I look at as it being a newer block? Will the engine mount up on an 85? I think I know the answer to this one but should I keep and beef up my 350 tranny or go for the double overdrive 700? Last one, Will the bell housing need to be swapped to fit the block? As always help appreciated and really looking forward to doing the build. I'm not thin skinned so If this is crazy lay it on me and let me know whats best.

[screamin86]

It will not work just give the motor to me! :p the ls series motors are an excelent power plant! I have a 5.3 I'm swaping into a 86 trans am with ls1 intake fuel rail and injectors. Cam swaps are a easy all gaskets are reuseable (miunus headgaskets) very large aftermarket great reliability tunability and driveable with crazy mods! My tuner has a iron block 6.0 stroked to a 408 stock heads and cam/intake with twin mp76 turbos on 14lbs making 810whp in a 93 chevy truck!

[1980c10]

there are quite a few after market parts available for these swaps.  I have considered this and looked at using a 3x2 carb set up with the modern ignition system run by an msd contoller instead of the ecm. Thought it would be cool to mix the old with the new. everyting is just bolt on new and ready to go. I don't know what it takes for the trans but check out the "advanced adapters" website for that.

[roadrage41]

What kind of mods should I look at as it being a newer block?

camshaft camshaft camshaft, short of forced induction its by far the best thing you can do, and cheapest.


Will the engine mount up on an 85?

these trucks are BY FAR the easiest and cheapest thing to do these conversions in.


I think I know the answer to this one but should I keep and beef up my 350 tranny or go for the double overdrive 700?

whaddya want to do with it?


Last one, Will the bell housing need to be swapped to fit the block?


same bolt pattern, just uses one less bolt. noone knows why...

[screamin86]

All you need is a $50 adapter to use the old stlye trans.

[thachevythang]

whaddya want to do with it?

I just didn't know about the 350 holding up to all the power, plus I hear the double overdrive is a gas saver. I've been looking at a rebuild with shift kit on summit. Its an automatic and honestly I just want performance. Yeah its a daily driver but I live in a small town thats only 3 miles long along the interstate and I'm keeping both the saddle tanks! I put 20 bucks in one tank about every three weeks. So it's just a matter of which ones gonna lemme smoke anything on the runway. We have a local drag event about 3 to 4 times a year. Mile long runway we do the 1/8 the 1/4 and sometimes top speed in 4000 feet. Fastest thing out is a vette and ss camaro.


I thought about the carb setup but dont know if it will put out the same power. I like the idea of all motor and no computer to get in the way but tuned right either way is a good deal. Especially if it can drop right it and even bolt up to what I got now!! 810whp is crazy!!!! I'll put that on the to do list!!! Thanks for the quick replies guys I appreciate it. Will the mutha thumpr cam swap out with this block? I've got one I can pull so thats a start. I'll read more at LS1 tech they have a section with some more suggestions for upgrades but not on trucks. Head combos, NOS, Headers etc... I'm doin a 4/5 drop and got some side pipes on CL for 50 bucks brand new in box. Never know how its gonna turn out though!!! Right now just focused on a engine swap and I'll put all the pieces together later.

[roadrage41]

we just did an 81 c10 as soon as we get some decent motor pics ill post those.

if youre looking at making serious power, go to a th400.


keeping twin tanks is just going to be twice as expensive.
1 tank, 1 sender, 1 fuel pump. SIMPLE and CHEAP - my entire fuel system was under 300 bucks and it came from rockauto, not summit or jegs.

(well except the fuel line, but thats included in the 300 and still didnt come from summit or jegs)

[screamin86]

Checkout ls1truck.com they haver a lot of info on truck mods! I live on that site and this one.lol

[thachevythang]

Just found an online artical to make 468hp with the carb and cam setup only. Pretty budget friendly and once you do some head work is when you bust into the 500s. Definately gonna go with this set up now!!! I already have the aluminum heads just the same as the LQ9 which is the aluminum block and makes more power but gonna look to get more out of them.

Thanks for bringing up the tanks issue!!! I wanted to keep the body original and you usually find shaved tanks on all these trucks. Guess Ill just be shaving one side!!! I've read that the 400 takes alot of power away from the engine. Somethin I dont wanna do but I guess if thats the best bet I've gotta get serious with some mods and find out what gears to run. I'm just stock. I see the snowball effect here. Get into one thing and gotta roll into the next.

[screamin86]

The lq4 was used in the normal trucks and had a iron block and aluminm heads after 2000 but the lq9 also has a iron block and aluminum head but ran flattop pistons and I think the cam profile was slightly diffrent and they were used in the silverado ss trucks and escilades and denalis. the all aluminum version your thinking of is the ls2. the lq4 was like 325hp and the lq9 345hp and ls2 was 390 in the trailblazer ss and 400 in the gto and so on.

[team39763]

a buddy of mine is putting a LQ4 in his C10.  He put in an edelbrock 2216 cam and a carb setup.  He said he was told it would make 489hp with a 800cfm carb.  He hasn't got the truck running yet, but it should run good with that kind of power.  I think he's putting a 700R4 behind it and making it a cruiser.  You might want to check out that cam for your 6.0L.

[thachevythang]

I'm seeing alot of people going with the carb set up and not so much with the LS6 intake. Probly the cost and does delete alot of the computers. I'm also reading that the L92 heads are what to go with and with an LS type intake can make 496rwhp. A good cam setup is going to be the first thing I drop in on it and some headers. Want full length, dual, no cat and any muffler thats better than my resonator tips. Still want it annoying loud without that tinny I get now.

[Captkaos]

Personally I wouldn't carb an LS, you are loosing so much drivability if you do plan to drive it.  If it was a drag car, sure.

[screamin86]

I agree go fi!

[motion427]

I run two of the LS series 6.0L
One is a LQ9 and the other is a LS2.
The engine mount is not located at the same location as the traditional 350 GM.You can use an adapter from Advance adapter to bolt on an older GM frame.
But to install a LS series engine in our 73-87 style truck,will need to modifie the frame and the crossmember a bit to clear the crank pulley and a small section of the block.

Very easy to make big power with these 6.0L. Cam and valvetrainupgrades & long tube headers is a very good start.450HP at the flywheel is very common.Would need to upgrade the injectors or go carburetor.

Because you have a 2002 model 6.0L,you can run a turbo 350,turbo 400,4l60,etc.....behind it.The older model 6.0L have a different crank and may need extra work to work with the most popular trannys.