Alright, here is the deal. I started my first project car 6 months ago, a Datsun 240z with a 3rd gen motor. I don't have any complaints as far as doing the project, it's been fun as hell and very exciting seeing things come together. When the project was still in the planning phase my friend's dad gave me a good deal on a LQ4 short block with rotating assembly and the 317 heads. After going along further in the project I've run into a bump or two.

I've acquired other necessary parts for the build as I've gone along, many of them from various members on this board. I'm sure any of them could vouch for me that I'm a good guy to deal with. I would post this in the buy/sell forum but I don't have the required posts. I ask that the mods can overlook this problem or kindly transfer my thread into the buy/sell area. (I would greatly appreciate it.)

The LQ4 needs to be rebuilt, and before I would take it to a machine shop, I acquired parts just in case they informed me that they were bad. Currently, I have:

-LQ4 block/rotating assembly with 5,000 miles on it
-8 extra stock rods and pistons with 22,000 miles on them
-15 stock injectors (Picked up an extra eight for cheap, and never could find the 16th)
-stock truck intake manifold
-317 heads with everything
-pushrods
-pan
-camshaft

All this engine lacks is coils, pcm, harness, throttle body, and whatever goes with it.

I'm sure many people want to know why. Firstly, I've decided I want this to be a road course car and my daily driver. Not exactly the ideal for a iron small block (the road course part). And second, I just can't seem to make myself take it to a machine shop. I don't know what it is, I think I just don't trust them. And I'll be damned if I trust myself to make this motor. So I find myself kind of stuck in a rut. A 240z being all prepped and worked on sitting next to a LQ4 that I just don't feel good about using. It's a hundred pounds I don't need in the front. I also find myself tight on cash. I've called every machine shop in the area and they say to rebuilt the block and assemble is going to run me 500 to 1,500 dollars. When I have maybe 500 bucks a month going at this project, that's not too hopeful to me.

What I am looking for is a mid-low mile ls1 without the throttle body, intake, computer, or harness harness. You can keep all those and use them on the lq4/sell them whatever. I just feel like nothing is getting done and an engine that is two steps away from running would make me feel so much better than one that is a 1/4 mile away from running. Someone around central California would be preforable. I am willing to drive to you to make the swap. Honestly, I don't know what everything I have is worth. I've had someone tell me that my disassembled LQ4 isn't worth 1,000 bucks. I've also been told that I should have no problem finding someone who wants an iron LQ4 and is willing to swap.

Any help would I would be truly grateful for. PM me or post a reply. If you think I'm an idiot wanting a mid-low mile LS1 for my LQ4 please kindly post that and let me know.

Good day.

- Top Secret

*Edit*

I would also be interested in trading for a 1st gen iron block if anyone has one. I realize that since this is the truck portion of ls1tech, I am aware that my chances of finding an LS1 here are slim. Hence the reason for the 1st gen.

 

Hehe. 47 views and not one reply. I guess I had too much text. Here is the short version:

LQ4 w/ extra stuff that needs new rings bearings for working ls1 with mid-low miles. I pick up.

 

Ill help you out, I will post this in the forsale section and link it back to this post.

 

Top Secret,
I replied to your thread over on LS1Tech.com a couple of times a couple of weeks ago. I still think that this project is ill advised. My advice is to get some kind of car that you can afford and that would be fun for the next few years and focus on school. Then if you want to pursue a project like this, more power to you. If you want to do something with the Z in a few years, get a 4.2 L Vortec out of an Envoy or something like that. That way, you'd be putting a gutsy, DOHC inline six in the car. Everything would work better. If you want to do something with your LQ4, buy a used 1999 or so truck and install the engine after rebuilding. I don't want to rain on your parade too much, but I don't think that now is the time for this project.

All my best,

Steve

 

Just to let you know. Very few people are going to want to trade you straight up for your lq4. Even if your lq4 was completely assembled they usually run several hundred dollars cheaper than a ls1 that is equivalent in what it comes with.

 

Everyone is of course entitle to their opinion. I have a car that I can afford and it is fun. It's a 1972 Chevelle. I'm in my second year of college and doing just fine while also doing a project. I go to school full time monday through wednesday, and work thursday and friday. Are you saying that I shouldn't work on cars during the weekend?

This project is already half way done. I found a z, stripped it down, fixed all the rust spots, pulled the old motor, strengthened the unibody and you want me to give up? What kind of spirit is that?

Also, I am not interested in going with anything other than a Gen 1 or gen 3 small block in this car. As far as I'm concerned about DOHC, it's overly complicated when compared to a conventional push rod SOHC engine.

I highly doubt that everything would "Work better" with a DOHC. I find it fairly comical that you said I should concentrate on school and then tell me to buy a "1999 truck" and put the motor in it. Like I am somehow going to come up with 10,000.

I honestly don't mean to sound like an ***, but intentional or not, or you ARE raining on my parade. I can admit I am cocky, but do not underestimate me. This isn't the first car I have ever put together, but it is the first I've ever put together by myself.

If you still insist the project is ill advised, I suggest you go over to www.hybridz.org and have a look at just how simple, cheap, easy, and "better working" it is to install a 3rd or 1st gen sbc into a Z car. Good day.

To 00Z71:

Thank you for posting it in the for sale thread, I greatly appreciate it. =)

Unless I get any bites, I am just going to go ahead with this LQ4 and put it in the Datsun. I am going to attempt and rebuild the engine myself. Hopefully 300 whp/ 300 tq will move a 2400 pound car around town pretty well. =)

 

Top Secret,
I wish you the best sir!

Steve

 

Thanks. =)

No disrespect meant.

 

Your welcome, no problem!

 

The gen 1/3 engines do not have overhead cams.

I think it will be difficult to find a semi complete ls1 to trade for a dismantled lq4. Aluminum blocks go for more money always.

I would use the lq4, has some extra cubes and better heads than the ls1.

Keep us posed on the build, seems to be a cool project.