Txboy71

I'm new to forums and new to building new generation motors. I've given my son my old 2000 extended cab 4x4 2500 Silverado with 285K miles on it, larger tire and lift and he wants to rebuild it with some upgrades. We have looked at several options on the web but just don't know what works best for this truck to get the best bang for a low budget upgrade. We've considered the an LS3 upgrade but aren't sure if that means that we would also have to upgrade the wire harness and computer also or just do some programming of the existing. The other question would be the EGR versus no EGR that the LS3 upgrade doesn't have.
Needing a good "recipe" for this engine at low budget price. (450hp with good torque?) Thanks in advance for your help.

53bowtie

iTrader: (6)

Depending on your budget I would recommend rebuilding the motor to stock specs, with forged pistons if the budget allows, and finding a used TVS1900 supercharger or other roots style blower to put on. Also, not sure if the 2000 model lq4 has the cast iron heads or if it was just the 1999 model that had them but those should be upgraded to the newer aluminum 317 heads or the like as well.

ScottyBoy

iTrader: (4)

I'm in the same boat. I'm looking for an LQ4 to build. But I have no clue what to do to it. From all the reading I have been doing on here, I am seeing so many mixed things. Depending on miles, should I just leave the bottom end alone? If I can find one under 150k in decent shape, I was thinking about just stabbing some LS3 heads, a mild cam, and maybe a TBSS or a NNBS intake?

53bowtie

iTrader: (6)

Its impossible to tell you if a motor will last 10K miles or 100K miles because it depends on so many variables such as the way it was driven in the previous vehicle, tolerances between the parts when assembled, regular maintenance performed by previous owner etc. I was able to find a 70k mile lq9 from an escalade that I knew a bit of background on and, therefore, I decided to install it without freshening it up. Anything over 100k and not knowing any history on the motor I would definitely go through it and freshen it up if it were me. I would hate to throw thousands of dollars worth of upgrades to it only to have it spin a bearing or start using oil and not have any money left to do the rebuild due to buying the upgrades.

ScottyBoy

iTrader: (4)

Point taken. So if it has over 100k and I want it to last, I might as well have a machine shop freshen it up.

53bowtie

iTrader: (6)

In my opinion, if you buy from a salvage yard then yes, but ask 10 people and you will get 10 different answers. Its very subjective. If you can buy an engine straight from the owner, where you can learn the history of the vehicle it was in and how the vehicle was used, then you will have a better idea of what shape the engine is in and how it was cared for previously.

In my dads 2000 Silverado we installed an Ls1 with 110k in place of his 4.8 with 220K. We did not go through the motor but simply swapped over the necessary components and slid it in. Why? Because I new the guy and the car it came out of and knew it had been well cared for and had nothing wrong with it when pulled.