I might have missed it, but did you open up the engine and open the ring gap up any? Bent electrode usually means detonation, an if compression is down I bet you have a cracked piston.

 

Thanks, glad to see you still around!

I never ended up touching anything inside the engine itself. Was completely stock 5.3 with headers and procharger

 

Is it even worth building an LQ4 when it's a 24x motor and the extra parts you have to buy?

Would seem better to just replace what broke in yours and remove the AFM/DoD stuff as your block is already a 58x with stronger connecting rods.

 

Wasn't actually aware of the differences with the reluctor wheels. Originally bought it for a monte carlo but it needed a rebuilt so it has just been sitting in my garage for a couple years.

Going to call a local engine builder for a quote on repairing the 5.3 monday, but I also called tsp and tms for quotes on a 370 shortblock and might end up going that route.

 

Been very busy over the past year and have slowly worked on the truck to some extent. Ending up pulling the motor and sure enough the #7 piston was missing a chunk near the valve relief.

 

Here's some of the new engine pictures. Ended up with a 370 from Texas Speed and going to be re-using my stock 5.3 heads for now. I put an LSXRT on it for a picture but I'm probably sticking with the stock intake manifold for now. Everything is pretty much ready to go in once I get a decent weather weekend to do the work

 

That Stage 2 set up looks like the best way eliminate belt slip.

 

I want one of those short blocks! Keep it up!

 

She lives! Still have a bit to do but ended up breaking a bolt off in the thermostat cover on the water pump..and then 2 more drill bits in it trying to get it out..

Remaining parts should have arrived today and might be able to have it driving by the weekend!

 

Back to looking like stock, everything is running great so far! Tuning was done by Shane Hinds and is definitely on point. Going to try to head to the track within the next couple weeks to see if it can beat my supercharged times. Definitely much faster 60' but the top end is a bit slower