Project: Big White Elephant!
06-17-2012, 12:54 AM
#1
Project: Bring Sally Up!
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
6.0 lq4
4l80e
Transgo HD2
Circle D 1a Tripple Disc Converter
Future Turbo Build... 76mm 8-14 #'s
Isky Tripple 12 cam
ARP Head Studs
Katech Connecting Rod Bolts
LS7 Lifters
Comp 7.35 Hardened PR
Patriot Dual Valve Springs
Comps Cams Trunion Rocker Upgrade
Melling 10296 Oil Pump
SFI Approved Flexplate
N-Motion Timing Chain set
LS9 Head Gaskets
TBSS Intake Manifold/Fuel Rails
87mm DBW
X-Link
Re-Gapped Piston Rings
3.43 gears
Aeromotive 340!
80# Injectors
Racetronix Fuel Pump Harness
PSI Conversion Harness
Shooting for 600+ HP anything else is a Perk!
Not a DD, weekend warrior... maybe a pass or 2 a year at the track... who knows!
Pictures coming soon of what progress I have made so far, have the bed off and am about to Por-15 the chassis! Engine is also down to a short-block inspecting things over before I start putting it all together!
BTW Who says you need help taking a truck bed off? LOL
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
6.0 lq4
4l80e
Transgo HD2
Circle D 1a Tripple Disc Converter
Future Turbo Build... 76mm 8-14 #'s
Isky Tripple 12 cam
ARP Head Studs
Katech Connecting Rod Bolts
LS7 Lifters
Comp 7.35 Hardened PR
Patriot Dual Valve Springs
Comps Cams Trunion Rocker Upgrade
Melling 10296 Oil Pump
SFI Approved Flexplate
N-Motion Timing Chain set
LS9 Head Gaskets
TBSS Intake Manifold/Fuel Rails
87mm DBW
X-Link
Re-Gapped Piston Rings
3.43 gears
Aeromotive 340!
80# Injectors
Racetronix Fuel Pump Harness
PSI Conversion Harness
Shooting for 600+ HP anything else is a Perk!
Not a DD, weekend warrior... maybe a pass or 2 a year at the track... who knows!
Pictures coming soon of what progress I have made so far, have the bed off and am about to Por-15 the chassis! Engine is also down to a short-block inspecting things over before I start putting it all together!
BTW Who says you need help taking a truck bed off? LOL
Last edited by Hivelocit; 08-19-2013 at 07:50 AM. Reason: Better title lol
06-17-2012, 07:52 AM
#6
Picture of the LQ4 before tear down.
Have the frame almost 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!
Have the frame almost 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!
Last edited by Hivelocit; 08-18-2013 at 09:21 AM.
06-18-2012, 05:11 AM
#7
Did some painting of the chassis this morning thought I would share the results thus far.
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
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
Last edited by Hivelocit; 08-18-2013 at 09:23 AM.
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07-25-2012, 12:09 AM
#8
Little update: heads are at the shop getting a valve grind, new valve guides, patriot duals with ti retainers, and seals. Engine block is at a totally different shop getting the crank balanced, cam bearings, and rings re-gapped bigger for boost (thanks everyone for the insight on that last part)! Because I don't have a shop press I went ahead and had the machine shop press out the old bearings in my stock rockers and upgraded with the Comp Cams Trunion kit.
Next will be my tranny, I will either install the Transgo HD2 kit myself or have the local tranny shop here in town do it along with some other upgrades.... Can anyone tell me anything else I should have done to the tranny to make it a little more bullet proof? Figured I might as well do it now! Hope to start putting the engine back together soon along with some photos!
Next will be my tranny, I will either install the Transgo HD2 kit myself or have the local tranny shop here in town do it along with some other upgrades.... Can anyone tell me anything else I should have done to the tranny to make it a little more bullet proof? Figured I might as well do it now! Hope to start putting the engine back together soon along with some photos!
Last edited by Hivelocit; 07-26-2012 at 12:36 PM.
07-25-2012, 12:22 AM
#9
Little update: heads are at the shop getting a valve grind, new valve guides, patriot duals with ti retainers, and seals. Engine block is at a totally different shop getting the crank balanced, cam bearings, and rings re-gapped bigger for boost (thanks everyone for the insight on that last part)! Because I don't have a shop press I went ahead and had the machine shop press out the old bearings in my stock rockers and upgraded with the Comp Cams Trunion kit.
Next will be my tranny, I will either install the Transgo HD2 kit myself or have the local tranny shop here in town do it along with some other upgrades.... Can anyone tell me anything what else I should have done to the tranny to make it a little more bullet proof? Figured I might as well do it now! Hope to start putting the engine back together soon along with some photos!
Next will be my tranny, I will either install the Transgo HD2 kit myself or have the local tranny shop here in town do it along with some other upgrades.... Can anyone tell me anything what else I should have done to the tranny to make it a little more bullet proof? Figured I might as well do it now! Hope to start putting the engine back together soon along with some photos!
