LQ4 - To turbo or not...GO

[dag19]

I just picked up an LQ4 with about 200k miles on it. I am putting it in a 1970 C10 shortbed. I worry about it being able to hook up (leaf spring rear end) which entertains the question, should I turbo this motor or just build it up to something streetable. I am not hitting the strip every weekend, just want something quick. Perhaps around 500HP (if that is still manageable on this setup).

[AJC]

I think the saying goes Fast, cheap, reliable, pick two. So what kind of budget do you have?

[mongocanfly]

gonna be hard to get it to hook up..ive seen way to many videos of turbo LS trucks roasting the tires at 40-60 mph... but for quick hp , the turbo seems the way to go,,

[AussieinNC]

Speed costs money $$$...How fast do you want to go?

Any truck (leaf or coil) rear will have trouble hooking up due the the lack of weight directly over the rear axle....

An LQ4 at 200K is just run in...I would change the cam, freshen up the rings and bearings, cam chain and oil pump, service the heads and install valve springs to suit the cam.

You didnt mention transmission? 4L80E makes sense to me...

Just my 2 cents worth

[dag19]

I don't have a huge budget budget but this one will be a keeper so I don't mind spending a little extra on it. Cheaper and reliable would be ideal. Shoot I don't even know what I have for gears either, as I just picked up the pickup at the beginning of the month. So fast isn't at the top of the list. Getting up to "fast" is more what I want.

I will go with a 4l80 for sure. Just need to find one! Any suggestions or know of one?! Also on that note any suggestions for rear half that has a chance to reasonably hook up?

Also yes, I plan to freshen it up since it just sitting on the engine stand right now. Opportune time!

[MDPotter]

I got my 4L80 from LSX4U. Rebuilt to stock standards and reasonable on cost and haven't had any issues on the short test drives I've taken my truck on so far.

http://lsx4u.com/

[Custom 68]

Turbos are fun but you can and will have great power without one. I like my 4l80e.
Dave

[mongocanfly]

("I will go with a 4l80 for sure. Just need to find one! Any suggestions or know of one?! ")

I don't know how to even get ahold of him anymore, but clinebarger would be who id be looking for...
he is in the FW area..you may find him still active on other forums.(google maybe?)..
we used to have some members here who basically ran him off this site...

[AussieinNC]

"clinebarger' is an absolute expert when it comes to auto transmissions....

He is on LS1TECH under same user name

The link below will take you to his profile...

https://ls1tech.com/forums/search.php?searchid=39322542

Even if you dont reach out to him, there is a goldmine of information on our forum...just click this link and it should list all posts.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...archid=6683938

Dismantlers are best source for 4l80E....but you will need a controller....

[dag19]

Sweet, thanks for the info Potter. I will have to check out their site.

Also good to know on clinebarger, sounds like a knowledgeable dude. I will definitely comb through the links you sent. I am sure it will help me out quite a bit.

Any thoughts on traction?

[dag19]

By the way Aussie, I was unable to get that top link to work.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...archid=6683938

[AussieinNC]

Originally Posted by dag19

Sweet, thanks for the info Potter. I will have to check out their site.

Also good to know on clinebarger, sounds like a knowledgeable dude. I will definitely comb through the links you sent. I am sure it will help me out quite a bit.

Any thoughts on traction?

Again, how big is your budget? Suspension bushes, upgraded spring packs, adjustable track bar, 4 link conversions, coil over shock systems, anti sway bars....the range is immense....

[AussieinNC]

Originally Posted by dag19

By the way Aussie, I was unable to get that top link to work.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...archid=6683938

When the page opens, top right search frame type clinebarger and press Enter...the results will display on the page...

[dag19]

Originally Posted by AussieinNC

Again, how big is your budget? Suspension bushes, upgraded spring packs, adjustable track bar, 4 link conversions, coil over shock systems, anti sway bars....the range is immense....

I am willing to spend around the 3k mark on the rear end. Am I in the ball park for anything legit?

[AJC]

Are you going to be running a factory ECU and wiring harness or go with an aftermarket stand alone ECU? I guess you could also go with a carburetor, but then you will still need a trans controller for the 4L80e.

Also what year is your LQ4?

[dag19]

I will be going with an aftermarket setup. The wiring needs redone in the pickup as well.

The LQ4 is a 2003 out of a Sierra 2500.

[AussieinNC]

Originally Posted by dag19

I am willing to spend around the 3k mark on the rear end. Am I in the ball park for anything legit?

3K is a good budget...I assume you would shop it out to a fabricator/installer...

What diff is in the truck now...6 stud axles or 5 stud? Limited Slip?

[dag19]

I suppose it depends on the intricacies of what is involved. I can do a lot of stuff myself but if it comes down to needing precision...its probably best in the hands of someone else!

It has the 6 stud axles in it right now. Not sure on the limited slip...haven't jacked it up to see which way my tires spin yet! But it is a 12 bolt.

[Fraud]

Work out what you'd actually need 500hp for, and then work out a plan to get there...

In the meantime just swap in what you've got... Maximize time on the road. big holistic projects sound fun but driving is better, and once you have the mounts/wiring etc all setup for an LS, you'll reuse 90% of that when you drop in the next LS which can be built any damn way you want.

This is the regret of my previous project cars talking here... Daydream all you like, but focus on incremental changes and actually enjoy your truck.

[jrusher]

i would freshen it up top to bottom, gap your rings for boost, add a good cam for boost and add the turbo later depending on your budget and timeline. I built my 6.0 up first did the swap drove it two summers then added boost. I blew my budget on both the engine build/ls swap and turbo addition by 50 percent easily .. All the little things add up in a hurry

[tinydb84]

Do it! (just because I like seeing turbo builds)

You can get 4l80's at most junkyards. My local pick and pull charges 120 for a trans and an extra 30% if you want a one year warranty.

You can raise the front spring mounting point to increase anti-squat and run "slapper bars" or cal tracs to get you better traction. You can also run a drag radial if you really want to hook up.

[dag19]

On it Tiny!! I think a turbo will be a fun, new route to go. Never done one before so it will be an interesting ride.

My junkyards are just that...junk! They are of no help, nor do they have anything! So I've been scouring the interwebs to see what's out there and available at a reasonable price. Tough to come by.

I was looking at Caltracs. But they are made for 2.5" leafs and I have 2.25" leafs. The salesman at Caltracs sure seemed to be steering me away from their products, mono spring and Caltrac combo. He was stating that I would have to get a new front hanger and then there wouldn't be much room to mount the Caltracs after that. It is a shortbed, but does that really matter?

[tinydb84]

Originally Posted by dag19

On it Tiny!! I think a turbo will be a fun, new route to go. Never done one before so it will be an interesting ride.

My junkyards are just that...junk! They are of no help, nor do they have anything! So I've been scouring the interwebs to see what's out there and available at a reasonable price. Tough to come by.

I was looking at Caltracs. But they are made for 2.5" leafs and I have 2.25" leafs. The salesman at Caltracs sure seemed to be steering me away from their products, mono spring and Caltrac combo. He was stating that I would have to get a new front hanger and then there wouldn't be much room to mount the Caltracs after that. It is a shortbed, but does that really matter?

Ive seen some good results running a single leaf or split leafs on cars. If you have the skill you can fab up some links to function as caltracs.

Junkyards are definitely hit or miss. Ive had fair luck over the years. I'm currently looking for a 4l80e so I don't have to have mine rebuilt.

[dag19]

I will have to look into a set of leafs that will lower it as well. Not sure if I should do a flip kit or not on it.

So you're telling me I have some competition finding a tranny, eh?!