Project: Big White Elephant! 88 GMC Sierra LQ4/4l80e/Turbo Build

[Hivelocit]

Under Construction...88 GMC Sierra Reg. Cab LQ4 LSX



Hey everyone! This will be a slow build, but I thought I would start this thread in the meantime to give myself some sort of timeline and to introduce my project! Little background: Dad's old 88 GMC Sierra RCSB with the ole glory 350 tbi 700r4 he bought back in 1990.. Sadly he passed from us 10yrs ago, and I inherited it soon after so in his memory I wanted to build something fun! Any ways had always planned to rebuild the old power-plant a couple years back, and of course after a little research and stalking through this among other websites decided a conversion was in order! No brainer right?

After sometime of looking through junkyards I scored an 03 5.3 with all accessories, harness, computer etc. 2 kids and 2yrs later that same engine was still sitting in my garage..lol What can I say life happens! Well I'm on the hunt again, and during the last 2 months have been gathering parts as well as a lot of reading! Last month while I was looking for a 4l80e I found someone with said tranny, and when I went to pick it up noticed a beautiful 05 lq4 sitting directly next to it..! Cubic inches were suddenly screaming my name so I made the guy an offer of $1100 for both, and walked away smiling

Oh BTW, the 5.3L I bought a couple years back I later re-sold and guess what! Turns out it was a 4.8 (talk about feeling like an idiot) I checked the bore, but not the stroke! Valuable lesson because never will I take someones word on something again so easily.. especially a junkyard! Original receipt said 5.3, stroke said a different story!

Okay story times over for now so on to the mission!

Quick overview of my Truck:

1988 GMC Sierra Reg Cab Truck
2005 6.0 lq4
4l80e
Transgo HD2
Yank Converter 3000-3600 stall thereabouts eventually
Future Turbo Build... 76mm 8-14 #'s
Isky Tripple 12 cam
LS7 Lifters
New Clevite Cam, Rod, and Main Bearings
ARP Head Studs
ARP Connecting rod bolts
Comp 7.4 Hardened PR
Patriot Dual Valve Springs
Comps Cams Trunion Rocker Upgrade
Melling 10296 Oil Pump
TCI Flexplate
Dual Roller Timing Chain
LS9 Head Gaskets
3.43 gears
Aeromotive 340 Fuel Pump
Meth Kit
60# Injectors
Racetronix Fuel Pump Harness
Nelson Performance re-worked harness
HP potential 600+ hp skies the limit
Not a DD, weekend warrior... maybe a pass or 2 a year at the track... who knows!


BTW Who says you need help taking a truck bed off?

[Hivelocit]

Before tear down...


Got the frame ready for paint. I went with the recommendation to use the prep and ready spray before using POR-15. It neutralized what little rust was there and left the metal surface with a slight etching for paint adherence! Works for me hopefully on my days off I will get some Painting done!


and after...


POR-15 is unlike any paint I have ever used.. watery but goes on pretty thick, reminds me of a cross between a permanent marker and tar! If you are going to use it you MUST HAVE "mineral spirits" close by because no matter how careful you may be its gonna make a mess. I was underneath the chassis and it dripped almost into my eye, have to act fast or else its a waiting game before it will come off. Hell just getting the lid off the can for my first use I thought I was going to need a can opener because it was super stuck on lol

[canada4g63]

I need a picker when i took my bed off. I just used rustolem paint for my frame.

[Hivelocit]

Torn down and painted, waiting on bearings, lifters, and new main bolts.. Come on brown santa hurry up!


Heads have been cleaned, new brass guides, 3 angle grind, dual springs installed, decked, and bagged ready for assembly!


Upgraded the stock rockers to the Comp Cams Trunion... as you may know the stockers can fall apart and toss needle bearings like these.


Regapped the pistons for Forced Induction... top .026 2nd .028, better safe then sorry!


Not the greatest paint job, but Dirty Dingo adjustable mounts are ready to go!

[Hivelocit]

I need a picker when i took my bed off. I just used rustolem paint for my frame.

Friend of mine was on his way, but I got impatient lol Had the picker in the rear, wasn't long enough for the bed so I tied some hooks into the header above and used some tie downs. You cant see in the picture very well, but I set the front tie downs too close to the garage door so I couldn't raise the garage up to get the truck out. Almost ruined the garage door...lol I live in Vegas and dont see much snow/rain so the Por-15 was a little over the top... but it turned out better than expected.

[Ray@NP]

good looking truck man

[Hivelocit]

good looking truck man

Thank you! It's taking it's time, but eventually I'll make her fly!

[fabianss357]

Cool build, looks like its moving a little faster this go round!

[Hivelocit]

Long Time No See!

Little Update: things really slowed down while putting the engine back together. Quite a few things I bought hastily without doing enough research, one thing about putting a motor together don't just "assume" that what your buying will fit without modification. For example I bought a double roller timing chain and that coupled with my Melling 10296 oil pump made it impossible to fit the front cover on. I grinded A LOT on the cover to the point where I was uncomfortable going any further so I went with a single roller. Also went with different rod bolts the ARP's I first purchased required me to resized the rods, which was the same overall price as just selling my ARP's and purchasing Katechs that supposedly do not require resizing of the rods, although some may argue that. Problem with rod resizing also is the fact my crank was balanced already with the rods untouched grinding them would require the crank balanced once again! One more thing PR's had to be sent back, my original idea was to re-use the lifters but decided to just replace them with LS7's. That took me shorter than he original 7.4's I bought! LOL

Not complaining though just posting here so someone might catch these things before-hand unlike me, although these things are common knowledge for some HaHa!

Well this a picture as she sits with an intake mock-up for fun.

[Hivelocit]

Engine

Pinned the crank a couple months ago and did not have any pins left so I contacted a company who custom makes steel dowels for any length and size. Only thing is I had to buy them in bulk. So if anyone needs some lemme know hah!



Installed a timing chain dampener from TEA onto my block that did not have the pre-existing holes. Worked like a charm. Also went with a single chain because I could not fit the melling pump along with the double roller.



Bought a Trick Performance cast manifold (thanks Rick), and I can say the craftsmanship is top notch.

Decided to go DBW instead of DBC because the changes necessary were not to my liking considering I already have a DBW setup. So an 87mm TB and X-Link are now part of the family.

Talked with John at PSI Conversion and had him build me a custom harness, and received it within the week I ordered it as well. Fast shipping, great customer service, and excellent workmanship on the harness. I recommend PSI 110%

Transmission

Installed the Transgo HD2 Shift kit myself all the way up to the internal parts and that I had my tranny guy install. Obviously not everyone has their transmission out of their vehicle so maybe this step gets missed or is not extremely important? Never thought to ask first thought it was integral to the whole kit. Anyways new seals and filters were added as well and the internals looked great so it is ready to go.

Went with a Circle D Triple Disc 1a which I believe is somewhere in the ballpark of a 2800 stall. The LS SFI approved FP I bought was not offset far enough so I had a .314in gap I had to make up with spacers from Comp. Engineering.


Rear-end

What is everyone's thoughts here about a 14 bolt? I find them on Craigslist quite frequently here for cheap so I wonder if I should do the 14 or build my 10 bolt? Suggestions are welcome!

Turbo

Bought a Borg Warner S480 with hot pipes off a member on PT.net and will post up some pics.

A little headway!

Took out the old and busted 350 just the other day, and set the old beast aside. I disassembled the whole front end since she is 25 years old and could use some cleaning up and fresh coats of paint. Not too mention its so much easier working at it from this direction instead of an angle.

I am gonna be a photo junkie a bit and post some pictures of the progress for those who would like to see, here you go!