my first ls swap 1996 2 door Tahoe 4wd 385 Stroker to LQ4 cam headers **pics**

[myzterray]

I love reading these threads so i figured id start one of my own...this will be a long process i already know!
So heres my truck:






had her about 2 years now and been through 2 engines...this will be the 3rd.

currently sitting in it is a fairly new 385 stroker getting 4-6mpg



its on craigslist and just sold today for $1500. i found 07 lq4 engine from a 2500 HD silverade complete with all acessories and pcu for 1000. picking it up tommorow.

so now the fun begins...so far i just started taking apart the front end to remove core support to make install easier.



and thats as far as i got today lol....got a 5yr old running around a a newborn so time to work on this is very limited...but i will post updates once i pick the new motor up and finish removing the stroker.

alot of people are asking wtf am im taking out a freshly built stroker for a used engine...well..the original plan was to make this truck an ultimate sleeper and pretty much just street race the truck. however with the new edition to the family...not going down says the misses!!

so with the lq4 the plan is to cam it add some lt headers and maybe a shot of nos for those lonely nights...
i want a "race inspired" DD with some decent gas mileage basically so im thinking the
tr224 cam
schoenfield lt headers
magnaflow high flow cats
x pipe
mufflers....??? dont kno yet i want something with a very low growl
exhaust cutouts
fast x 102mm intake (if im lucky!!)
probably run a ls3 intake from a new camaro...seen em on ebay for less than $300
and finally some kinda of nitrous kit...dont know too much about it so hopefully someone can help me with that.

goal: 400to 450rwhp with 17-20mpg?? impossible???

[Lextech]

That's a nice looking Tahoe. Make sure you keep the build thread up to date with pics.

Jeff

[pl4yboy]

so with the lq4 the plan is to cam it add some lt headers and maybe a shot of nos for those lonely nights...
i want a "race inspired" DD with some decent gas mileage basically so im thinking the
tr224 cam
schoenfield lt headers
magnaflow high flow cats
x pipe
mufflers....??? dont kno yet i want something with a very low growl
exhaust cutouts
fast x 102mm intake (if im lucky!!)
probably run a ls3 intake from a new camaro...seen em on ebay for less than $300
and finally some kinda of nitrous kit...dont know too much about it so hopefully someone can help me with that.

goal: 400to 450rwhp with 17-20mpg?? impossible???

If you're getting an LS3 intake, you have to run the L92 or LS3 rectangle port heads. Look at spending AT LEAST another 600 on those. The TR224 cam isn't a great choice for L92s either. What gears does this thing have? You're going to struggle to get 17-20 mixed. Highway is possible.

[myzterray]

If you're getting an LS3 intake, you have to run the L92 or LS3 rectangle port heads. Look at spending AT LEAST another 600 on those. The TR224 cam isn't a great choice for L92s either. What gears does this thing have? You're going to struggle to get 17-20 mixed. Highway is possible.

honestly idk what intake im going to get. the motor im picking up is a stock lq4 from a 2500 hd. so im not sure exactly what heads or anything are on it. im open to all suggestions. im definately doing a budget build. i went all out on the stroker and wasnt very happy with it. truck is 4wd with stock gears. i would love to convert to 2wd but im not sure of how much of a hassle that would be. I ive in southern california so having 4wd is pretty much useless. what do you suggest as far as cam and intake so i can get good mpgs

[pl4yboy]

honestly idk what intake im going to get. the motor im picking up is a stock lq4 from a 2500 hd. so im not sure exactly what heads or anything are on it. im open to all suggestions. im definately doing a budget build. i went all out on the stroker and wasnt very happy with it. truck is 4wd with stock gears. i would love to convert to 2wd but im not sure of how much of a hassle that would be. I ive in southern california so having 4wd is pretty much useless. what do you suggest as far as cam and intake so i can get good mpgs

Well... It really depends. The 224 is a small cam for a 6.0, but it won't need much of a stall. A 2800-3000 would be plenty for it behind a 6.0. I'm not sure if you have a stall already or not. But you can still get pretty good mileage and you won't hit 400 hp... but it'll still be fun, reliable, and a good family ride.

[myzterray]

Well... It really depends. The 224 is a small cam for a 6.0, but it won't need much of a stall. A 2800-3000 would be plenty for it behind a 6.0. I'm not sure if you have a stall already or not. But you can still get pretty good mileage and you won't hit 400 hp... but it'll still be fun, reliable, and a good family ride.

well originally i was going to build a 5.3 and i saw alot of ppl using that cam but im a speed demon and i i been reading alot of build threads. everyone with the 5.3 wished they got the 6.0. so im going to just start with the 6.0. i definitely wanna hit 400 to the wheels. if i have to sacrifice a mpg or 2 thats ok. there no stall in the truck currently just a vette. so what would i need to get in order to hit 400+ on a lq4?

[pl4yboy]

well originally i was going to build a 5.3 and i saw alot of ppl using that cam but im a speed demon and i i been reading alot of build threads. everyone with the 5.3 wished they got the 6.0. so im going to just start with the 6.0. i definitely wanna hit 400 to the wheels. if i have to sacrifice a mpg or 2 thats ok. there no stall in the truck currently just a vette. so what would i need to get in order to hit 400+ on a lq4?

Want a list of what I'd do for a nice DD on 91-93 octane?

LQ4
90mm NNBS intake + TB
243 heads
232/236 .600 112 cam (general, would be much better with a custom spec'd one)
3200-3600 stall (Tight)

[smithkid1996]

NICE TRUCK! there is this guy in my neiborhood with a tahoe/blazer like that, but its lowers about 4 inches, with flat black corvette wheels, a black grill (well that area rite around the grill that is normally chrome, but you know what i mean) then a chrome mesh insert, and it looks MEAN. i have no idea what all he did to the engine though. (lol.) but yeah... i would think converting it to rear wheel drive would be a HUGE pain, because you have to replace the entire front suspension, ansd fron axle, then either chop up, or replace the trans, toss the transfer case in the trash, tke out an entire cross member, order a new drive shaft, and im sure a few other things... but if you can find the time, and a cheap parts truck, i guess it is worth it, you will have a few more RWHP, less weight, and better mileage... but thats just my 2 cents...

[myzterray]

NICE TRUCK! there is this guy in my neiborhood with a tahoe/blazer like that, but its lowers about 4 inches, with flat black corvette wheels, a black grill (well that area rite around the grill that is normally chrome, but you know what i mean) then a chrome mesh insert, and it looks MEAN. i have no idea what all he did to the engine though. (lol.) but yeah... i would think converting it to rear wheel drive would be a HUGE pain, because you have to replace the entire front suspension, ansd fron axle, then either chop up, or replace the trans, toss the transfer case in the trash, tke out an entire cross member, order a new drive shaft, and im sure a few other things... but if you can find the time, and a cheap parts truck, i guess it is worth it, you will have a few more RWHP, less weight, and better mileage... but thats just my 2 cents...

yea i think it will be worth it in the end. i think if i can find a 2dr parting out i should be ok. i drove my truck in 4wd last week to drive in the rain and when i stopped i could smell burnt trans fluid. see if i u can get a pic of that truck i would love to see it. i plan to lower mine only about 2 inches for now. install some kind of suspension upgrades (sway barts etc) because a turn in either direction going faster than 15mph feels like im falling over i hate it.

[smithkid1996]

yea i think it will be worth it in the end. i think if i can find a 2dr parting out i should be ok. i drove my truck in 4wd last week to drive in the rain and when i stopped i could smell burnt trans fluid. see if i u can get a pic of that truck i would love to see it. i plan to lower mine only about 2 inches for now. install some kind of suspension upgrades (sway barts etc) because a turn in either direction going faster than 15mph feels like im falling over i hate it.

i will try to post pics today, but i dont know what all we will be doing, and he parks it in the garage 9 out of 10 times, but i will get a pic. next time i see it. what kind of mileage? does it allready have the new engine and everything in?

yeah, we have a 1995 suburban 4x4 with about a 3 inch lift, and it feels really safe, but it's a 3/4 ton, so stiffer suspension. maybey that would be an option, swap the silverado 2500 springs, it will feel more stayble, and handle better.