LS engine decision. Need help quick!

[skon1212]

I need to make a decision on an engine and trans to put in my 72 chevelle wagon and I came accross 2 decent deals. The first is a 2001 LS1 with 74K miles and 241 heads out of a camaro. It comes with everything, ECU, harness, AC, accessories, ect. And it will cost about $2300 delivered. The second option is a 2003 LQ4 with 4L80e transmission with 102K miles and will cost about $2300 delivered. It also comes with all accessories and harness/ecu. Only thing is they are both east coast cars and the 4L80e has been sitting outside under a tarp. Last option is an LS1/4l60e combo with 94K miles out of a 2002 TA and that would run about $3800 shipped.
Just curious what seems like the best buy. I have looked locally for 3 months now and nothing. A couple LS1's with no harness or ECU for like $2900 and an LQ4 with over a 100K miles and a 4l80e for $3500.
Just looking for an opinion.
My chevelle will be mostly a daily driver and maybe a little tracking eventually but MPG will be the top priority followed by HP.
Thanks
PS: If I posted this in the wrong place, forgive me. I did post on LS1 Tech but got no help.

[69cutlassrkt]

yeah that's a tough decision. So the first ls1 doesn't come with a transmission?
I like the ls1 cause it is aluminum. Then the lq4 is nice cause it has a bit more displacement and comes with the 4l80e.

[analyte]

LQ4 all the way.

The aluminum block is 80lbs lighter, but the 6.0 will allow for more build options when you want to go faster.

[Rod]

depends on you, the aluminum ls1 will look trick an helps balance the car, the LQ4 is a rock steady low compression performer that can be built up easy and durable

[CliffsBlueCamaro]

I'd go with the LQ4 without a doubt. As was mentioned before, it will give you more cubes and strength for now, and even more options for a build up down the road.

[skon1212]

Nope, no trans with the LS1 but its one of the most affordable ones I have seen for a while. The LQ4 seems like a decent deal because it has the trans, but with the trans being stored outside I am sure it needs a rebuild. If the LQ4 was about $400 cheaper I think it would be a no brainer. I am not looking for a ton of power, just a reliable driver that can get a decent MPG since it will be my daily driver eventually. I have heard a LQ4 can get close to 21-22mpg with the correct tune. I have couple more days to decide so hopefully I can make up my mind by then.

[71RS/SS396]

Will the truck intake and accessories work in your car? If not, the LQ4 will get more expensive after sourcing all those parts.

[csouth]

I'd go LQ4 in your case too. Its a very reliable motor and can go for many miles. My 01 Denali has 270k.

Will the truck intake and accessories work in your car? If not, the LQ4 will get more expensive after sourcing all those parts.

The truck intake and accessories will fit under a Chevelle hood, they are just not too attractive...

[chevnut55]

I would go with the ls1 to keep it light.
they are all good deals and would not let the trans decide, I mine came with a trans and it was junk and sucked big time to change in a finished car.
I would plan on buying a new trans or having it rebuild before install.
Can you hear any of them run 1st?
They are great motors but they do go bad, it sucks to find out when its all hooked up in the car.

[ADiCarlo]

I just went thru this about 6 months ago. I would say no to all and to stay away from complete motors if you can build one.

The Ls1 comes with a high price tag which i think is due to everyone throwing these in every car imaginable.

The LQ4 / LQ9 turn keys don't have the high price tag but have high mileage plus tuning with factory gear is a pain meaning your swapping out parts to get you LS competitive.

Weighing in on all these factors I found a 6.0 LQ9 block with LS3 heads and a nice hot cam. Bench dyno put out a respected 500+ using a factory LS3 intake. Only bad side is the plus 80 lbs but I rather have the extra cash in my pocket to spend on other goods.

[skon1212]

I just went thru this about 6 months ago. I would say no to all and to stay away from complete motors if you can build one.

The Ls1 comes with a high price tag which i think is due to everyone throwing these in every car imaginable.

The LQ4 / LQ9 turn keys don't have the high price tag but have high mileage plus tuning with factory gear is a pain meaning your swapping out parts to get you LS competitive.

Weighing in on all these factors I found a 6.0 LQ9 block with LS3 heads and a nice hot cam. Bench dyno put out a respected 500+ using a factory LS3 intake. Only bad side is the plus 80 lbs but I rather have the extra cash in my pocket to spend on other goods.

Just curious you have in that motor alone after installing everything (harness, coils, ecu, accessories, hoses). I did think about going this route and lack of time and Motor building skills is an issue.

[jwcarguy]

Remember also, you mentioned "east coast" engines?? Alot of them , both iron and aluminum will have a fair amount of corrosion
You didn't say where you are located?
Yes, you will pay more for the "aluminum" block, but as you said earlier, this is for a daily driver/ cruiser, so please don't get hung up on this BS on 70-80 lbs heavier, you will never notice the difference, except from your wallet!!
Try to stay away fro the larger 4L80E trans, for a daily driver, not making a ton of hp, it is a waste of $$
larger, uses more hp to operate, and may have clearance/ tunnel fitment issues in your car ?? etc
the 4L60E will work great for you and will fit better
Are you planning on having a stock harness modified to standalone? or going to a aftermarket one? (keep in mind that the factory truck harnesses exit off the drivers front of engine, just behind the alternator, compared to car, exits off back of intake manifold, so a bit of planning when deciding the placement of your pcm, the truck harnesses "modified" don't have a clean appearance like the car setups

[davidfre21]

Have you considered a 5.3? Not as fancy as the ls1s or 6L but makes a fraction less power and typically can be had cheaper. If all out power isn't your goal, its probably the best choice all around. That's what I was planning on doing until I lucked into a wrecked z28 for $2000.

[skon1212]

I live in AZ so anything I find out here I know will probly be corrosion free, but the asking prices are nuts. I plan on using the stock harness and having it modified. I looked at remade stand alones and they seemed a little too $$. I do understand that the truck harnesses are a lot different than the car ones, but I saw a guy who had a 5.3 in his El Camino and it actually did not look bad at all, even with the truck intake. He had a 5.3 with a supercharger and it was a super clean install. So yes a 5.3 is on the map and am looking at an 02 5.3 and 4l60e with 79K miles out of a wrecked Tahoe that I may be able to get for around $1500 complete and it is a western states Tahoe. Rollover vehicle but it was run and compression tested before being removed. So far the best deal I have seen that would be an easy swap.
Someone mentioned gear ratios earlier and I just found out I have 2.73 gears non-posi, so I am hoping it wont be too hard to tune.
OF course I went to Barrett Jackson this weekend and was in AWE!!!

[jwcarguy]

I live in AZ so anything I find out here I know will probly be corrosion free, but the asking prices are nuts. I plan on using the stock harness and having it modified. I looked at remade stand alones and they seemed a little too $$. I do understand that the truck harnesses are a lot different than the car ones, but I saw a guy who had a 5.3 in his El Camino and it actually did not look bad at all, even with the truck intake. He had a 5.3 with a supercharger and it was a super clean install. So yes a 5.3 is on the map and am looking at an 02 5.3 and 4l60e with 79K miles out of a wrecked Tahoe that I may be able to get for around $1500 complete and it is a western states Tahoe. Rollover vehicle but it was run and compression tested before being removed. So far the best deal I have seen that would be an easy swap.
Someone mentioned gear ratios earlier and I just found out I have 2.73 gears non-posi, so I am hoping it wont be too hard to tune.
OF course I went to Barrett Jackson this weekend and was in AWE!!!

If you can get something from out here (southwest) you'd be happier
That deal on the 02' 5.3/4L60E sounds like a bargain

I will be posting up a 05' LS2 w/ mild cam with only 55k miles on it (still in the GTO running) for a friend of mine in the next day or so (taking video of the car running too)
It is one of his customer's cars that they are upgrading to a stroker engine

he will be selling it for $3800
offering a near new (400 miles) complete Corvette front accessory drive, water pump, balancer, a/c , etc all included
and a T56 6spd from another GTO

he has vendors for the aftermarket harnesses as well

[jwcarguy]

here is a 07' L92/6l80E deal

http://www.performancetrucks.net/for...2-6l80-525719/

[wayward]

I bought a 5.3 for $500 bucks, I have $1600 in a converted(slip yoke) and fresh ctsv T56 tranny and a auto tune holley efi $1400. Once the rest of my car is finished I'll spend big money on the block but everything else is done... I would suggest to look at the end goal and then break them up into major components and do the best you can inside your comfort level... $3500 no need for dyno tunes and a triple syncro tranny...

[dondb]

If you can get something from out here (southwest) you'd be happier
That deal on the 02' 5.3/4L60E sounds like a bargain

I will be posting up a 05' LS2 w/ mild cam with only 55k miles on it (still in the GTO running) for a friend of mine in the next day or so (taking video of the car running too)
It is one of his customer's cars that they are upgrading to a stroker engine

he will be selling it for $3800
offering a near new (400 miles) complete Corvette front accessory drive, water pump, balancer, a/c , etc all included
and a T56 6spd from another GTO

he has vendors for the aftermarket harnesses as well

Thats a good deal right here! motor,transmission and front accessory for $3,800! If i didn't already have all this stuff, i'd be all over it. I paid 2,700 for my lq9 with ls3 heads and intake and upgraded cam and springs, 55k miles. 2,300 for a rebuilt t56 and 800 for the corvette accessory kit.

[csouth]

Thats a good deal right here! motor,transmission and front accessory for $3,800! If i didn't already have all this stuff, i'd be all over it. I paid 2,700 for my lq9 with ls3 heads and intake and upgraded cam and springs, 55k miles. 2,300 for a rebuilt t56 and 800 for the corvette accessory kit.

No, that was for the motor only. The whole pkg was listed in classifieds for $6500

[jwcarguy]

Thats a good deal right here! motor,transmission and front accessory for $3,800! If i didn't already have all this stuff, i'd be all over it. I paid 2,700 for my lq9 with ls3 heads and intake and upgraded cam and springs, 55k miles. 2,300 for a rebuilt t56 and 800 for the corvette accessory kit.

That is just the engine!
I did post the whole package in the classifieds

Thanks Jeff