LQ1 swap build thread (25 years to late) (Page 9/9)
fliphone MAY 26, 12:02 AM
I've decided to stay with the LQ1 platform! I'm in talks about purchasing a build motor for the long run and plan on getting my car rebuilt enough to run to C@C when I'm home. College has been brutal and has prevented me from making it home in 6 months, but early June I have a week planned to go home and take care of some business. Including fixing my head gasket being one of them. But in the meantime, schoolings still the priority, doesn't mean the cars not on the back of my mind!
Cheers!
fliphone MAY 26, 12:05 AM
Couple pics from my stint so far
Dennis LaGrua MAY 26, 04:47 AM
All I can say is good work and good luck. You have put a ton of energy into this swap and you deserve to be driving it. To work on an LQ1 engine it will probably have to be taken out but what you have been through so far sounds like it's right in your capability. As I've said before, at Carlisle I've seen only one other LQ1 swap the owner really liked it. He found a brand new crate engine on eBay for the swap. It was a stick swap and because its DOHC I would guess the guy loved doing those 6500RPM shifts.
From what I read the LQ1 ECM has been tuned for lower power especially on the auto combo. There are reports that the LQ1 has been modded and dyno tuned to near 300 horsepower.
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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 05-26-2025).]

fliphone JUN 02, 08:11 PM
Thanks for the good luck! I'll be doing it at a buddy's shop with all my old friends, hoping to have it knocked out in a day. I do plan on getting fully into the standalone game eventually and go full tilt NA. Don't know how long this is all gonna take but still have plenty to do. If I can get to high 200's I think I would be satisfied. when the need for more power hits I'll take the parts car and turn it into a track car likely with a LS4 build. But for now the LQ stays the priority
Dennis LaGrua JUN 04, 04:37 PM
From what I read the 3400 DOHC engines were not tuned by GM for optimum horsepower. The reasoning was that it was believed that the transmissions of the day would be over stressed resulting in warranty issues. The good breathing DOHC engine should do far better by being dyno tuned. A 3400 DOHC engine ECM was re-tuned on a You Tube video and that tune produced a corrected 234 horsepower on that engine. .

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 06-09-2025).]

fliphone JUN 25, 01:13 AM
Long story short, both heads need full machine work done before I'd carry any confidence in running the motor again. The chassis is sitting back under its car port and I'm back to being roughly 1000 miles away. The motor has been tossed into a shed for storage. With some time, consideration, and convincing I've decided to go with a LFX V6. Rated at roughly the same crank HP as a LS4 alongside a higher redline and some modern-day features like VVT and Direct injection. Ultimately it came down to financials and practicality, I can go snag a junkyard motor for ~500 bucks or I could source nearly non-existent expensive parts and rebuild my motor to be left at least 50 less HP and a heavier rear end. The other nice thing is I'll be able to run a SAAB F40 trans which I can source for 1000 all day, so with some patience I'm sure I'll find one cheaper. Looks like I'm back to hunting parts on a budget! Cheers for now!