LQ4 vs. LQ9...the obvious questions

[Blasphemy]

So I'm shopping around looking to do a 6.0 swap and I've already seen/researched the obvious differences between the LQ4 and LQ9. The 4 is very abundant thus the smaller price tag, and the horsepower difference due to compression and (cam?) other factors. I'm lookin for drop in power because I won't have the funds ($8K+) to do a 408 stroker build for at least a couple years which is what I really want to do with the 6.0. I'm old school in the fact that I've been around countless gen 1 small blocks, strokers, big blocks and endless TH350/400/700R4s. The engine will be going into my '98 ECSB Z71 with 5.7/4L60E/NP241C and will eventually be a SAS'd "twin stick" beast.

And Now, here come the noob questions...

1. Will my 4L60E bolt right up or will I have to change the converter or flex plate? I've heard something about a spacer, where do I find this?

2. Will the 6.0 harness work with my factory gauges?

3. Should I keep the DBW setup and does the pedal bolt up with little modification or I should switch over to DBC?

4. What are the major tips when it comes to your engine talking to your transmission and NP241 T/C.

5. How much work is it to get the A/C to work? And should I keep my current compressor or use the one that came on the 6.0

6. Do I need a different radiator even though the donor and current motor both have a clutch fan?

7. Do I need to change the fuel pump and/or the fuel lines?

8. Is it best to take the truck into a shop to have the PCM tuned to my setup or can I just send my PCM in to somewhere like TSP?

9. Do I need special GM tools to re-pin the electrical connectors?


I've done a lot of research so far on all the 88-98 GM forums (hence the low post count) and these are still the unanswered questions that are left. Any help is appreciated and I will do a full write up with pictures when the swap begins.

 

[gmfan454]

Staying tuned to this thread...

 

[capricefrk013]

So I'm shopping around looking to do a 6.0 swap and I see the obvious differences between the LQ4 and LQ9. The 4 is very abundant thus the smaller price tag, and the horsepower difference due to compression and (cam?) other factors. I'm lookin for drop in power because I won't have the funds to do a 408 stroker build for at least a couple years. I'm old school in the fact that I've been around countless gen 1 small blocks, strokers, big blocks and endless TH350/400/700R4s. The engine will be going into my '98 ECSB Z71 with 5.7/4L60E/NP241C and will eventually be a SAS'd "twin stick" beast.

And Now, here come the noob questions...

1. Will my 4L60E bolt right up or will I have to change the converter or flex plate? I've heard something about a spacer, where do I find this?
I have an 01 LQ4 thats going in my 98 2WD and my 60E will bolt up.

2. Will the 6.0 harness work with my factory guages?
The tach wont work because it needs minor modification or depending on the tuning software you use, you can make it work. The Temp gauge wont work unless you use a 3 wore coolant temp sender/sensor form a 98 LS1 Camaro.

3. Should I keep the DBW setup and does the pedal bolt up with little modification or should switch over to DBC?
I am using the DBW on mine. The TAC module will bolt right up to your stock cruise control module. It will also control your cruise. You just have to wire the wires from the cruise stalk to the TAC module. They will be in that location once you remove the OEM cruise.

4. What the major tips when it comes to your engine talking to your transmission and NP241 T/C
Doing 2wd so I cant help

5. How much work is it get the A/C to work?
Contact LEXTECH on here or over at LS1truck.com for a kit to retain your AC in the stock location. It will relocate your Alternator over to the passenger side of the motor. I ordered the kit from him and it is totally worth the money. Check out his link here>>> http://www.ls1truck.com/forums/lsx-truck-conversions/40231-lextechs-c-bracket-kit.html He also has a wiring diagram made to use your stock wiring harness for our 98 trucks. Ask him about that as well.


6. Do I need a different radiator even though the donor and current motor both have a clutch fan?
I did an E-Fan conversion from an F-Body. I am using the stock radiator from my truck. Just need to use the radiator hoses from the year of donor vehicle.

7. Do I need to change the fuel pump and/or the fuel lines?
I am using the stock fuel pump because it will put out the same as the one in the donor vehicle. I bought fittings to adapt to my stock fuel lines and to the LQ4 fuel rails. I will attach a pic for the fuel lines fittings as well as the links from Summit.

Links:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RUS-640860/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/RUS-640850/
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-220690b Need 4 of them
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/ear-9894dbherl
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g1001 This is 18" long
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/fra-491971
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/rus-670530/overview/


8. Is it best to take the truck into a shop to have the PCM tuned to my setup or can I just send my PCM in to somewhere like 150tunes.com?
I am using MJEtuning.com. He is a member on here and has done this same swap on his own truck. His link here>>> http://www.gmt400.com/forum/showthread.php?10791-LSX-Custom-Tuning

9. Do I need special GM tools to re-pin the electrical connectors?
LT1swap.com for the wiring help. Showing how to de-pin the PCM>>> https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.570183759682543.1073741827.148224325211824&type=3 His website for harness info>>> http://www.lt1swap.com/2000harness.htm


I've done a lot of research so far on all the 88-98 GM forums (hence the low post count) and these are still the unanswered questions that are left. Any help is appreciated and I will do a full write up with pictures when the swap begins.

Hope all my info will help you get under way of a swap.

 

[polar]

One thing you forgot to mention that the convertor in the trans is different. Yes the trans will bolt up but the convertor will not. Circle d makes specific converters for these swaps. It has the pre ls end for our 4l60es and on the flexplate side is the new ls bolt pattern


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[capricefrk013]

One thing you forgot to mention that the convertor in the trans is different. Yes the trans will bolt up but the convertor will not. Circle d makes specific converters for these swaps. It has the pre ls end for our 4l60es and on the flexplate side is the new ls bolt pattern


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I didnt know that. I was gonna use the converter from the donor vehicle to use in my stock 60E untuil I have time to tear in to the donor 65E.

 

[cjman250]

One thing you forgot to mention that the convertor in the trans is different. Yes the trans will bolt up but the convertor will not. Circle d makes specific converters for these swaps. It has the pre ls end for our 4l60es and on the flexplate side is the new ls bolt pattern


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Will a 4l60e handle the power of a 6.0?

 

[Blasphemy]

Hope all my info will help you get under way of a swap.

Extremely helpful man, I really appreciate it!! I knew there something different about the converters I just wasn't sure what it was. One of these days someone will put a comprehensive swap guide in print for us all to enjoy! @cjman250 the 4L60E will handle the power because I heard they're rated to handle somewhere in the 400s for HP stock but if you're due for a rebuild you'll find out in a hurry if you put a fresh 6.0 in your truck. There are at least three reputable companies that I know of that sell a beef up/overhaul kit that increases the HP rating of the 4L60E up to 600hp and they range from $600-$800 or so. It's a good trans, it just needs a little help from aftermarket parts...like most things

 

[polar]

I wouldn't trust a 4l60e up to 600. I would do the upgrade to the 4l80e


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[Darkrider]

I wouldn't trust a 4l60e up to 600. I would do the upgrade to the 4l80e


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That would be close to a stock 80es limits as well since it's only rated for around 450 ft lbs.

 

[polar]

Yea but if you build up the 80e it can handle upwards of 1000 with a near same price rebuild kit


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