Matthew Jeschke
Full Access Member
Some of you are probably following my post where I blew up my 5.3L. Just forcing me to do a long awaited upgrade I do a few things with truck I hope to enhance with the build:
Some parts I currently have my sights on for the build:
Few questions:
Are the LS motors internally balanced (crankshaft)? If so do the rods and pistons have to be a matched set?
I have HP Tuners for my truck (and Corvette). I am not the best tuner though. Either way, I'll probably need a wide band O2 somewhere in my system? Last tune YEARS ago on OBDI LT1 was with regular O2 sensors, basically impossible. I ended up sending ECU off to somebody and got a mail order tune.
Anywhere I could possibly download an existing tune for 6.0L w/ various cams such as the one I am looking at?
- Off-road / forest roads (no extreme rock crawling): however, lots of minimum / no maintenance roads. So must be extremely reliable build with good toque. Right now my 5.3L struggles a bit (probably more the torque converter) to do some of the trails I go on. I videoed one of our trips here http://keystoaz.com/bullspringsroad/
- Road trips: I travel to Canada and go on some 5000+ mile road trips. Truck must get reasonably good gas mileage. I got 17 to 18 on highway with my 5.3L.
- Ability to tow: I have a C5 corvette I want to do endurance racing with. However, I need a tow vehicle to pull enclosed car trailer. (Note I'm also building a 4L60E with better internals).
- Make this a forever truck, or at least motor, transmission, and transfer case so I want to build to last so long as the green new deal isn't a real thing haha.
Some parts I currently have my sights on for the build:
- LQ4 / LQ9 / LS2 block 3rd Gen w/ factory crank (I don't think forged crank will make any difference for my build?)
- LQ9 rods and pistons
- Melling High Volume Oil Pump - I know you can modify the factory to do higher pressure, however, I want the volume to accompany the pressure.
- Bushing Trunnion Rebuild Kit - Removes the needle bearings, so no chance of dropping them in the motor HERE Pretty simple design, however, only a couple people make these? The price doesn't seem fitting of the product... Any cheaper places to buy them from?
- Stock 317 Heads I plan to polish the exhaust ports. Not sure I'll do a port job though (I have in the past) but bit worried I might muck it up.
- Sloppy Stage 2 Camshaft HERE - I see even with natural aspirated setup this makes more power / same power across entire power band. I'm just hoping it doesn't sacrifice a lot of fuel economy in the process? (I watch this guy's channel a lot. Here he found that to be the best cam in a shootout across several camshafts HERE)
- Valves, Springs? In my previous build I installed dual valve springs. I kind of like the idea of those as they have half the chance of dropping a valve due to broken spring (does that happen often?) I used them in my LT1 build. I don't want wildly stiff springs though. (The ones I put in my Camaro bent the valve spring compressor haha) What pressure is best? Also are the factory valves pretty tough? Do they ever snap off in high mileage applications? Should I upgrade factory valves?
- Timing gear and chain? This is what broke in my first build / LT1. I hope to find something reasonably priced and indestructible?
- Fasteners: I want to go with studs instead of bolts. Not sure if necessary with the power I make but double the holding power.
- Head Gaskets? what lasts the best?
Few questions:
Are the LS motors internally balanced (crankshaft)? If so do the rods and pistons have to be a matched set?
I have HP Tuners for my truck (and Corvette). I am not the best tuner though. Either way, I'll probably need a wide band O2 somewhere in my system? Last tune YEARS ago on OBDI LT1 was with regular O2 sensors, basically impossible. I ended up sending ECU off to somebody and got a mail order tune.
Anywhere I could possibly download an existing tune for 6.0L w/ various cams such as the one I am looking at?