Gotrocks Buggy Build. Engine transplant!!

gotrocks · January 04, 2009, 10:09:57 AM

bd

The LQ4 is designed off of the LS1 engine. When they made the switch to go to a coil up plug ignition setup for the truck line they completely redesigned the cast iron engine line. For simplicity sake and design costs EVERY component that the aluminum LSx motors have will bolt on the cast iron blocks. I have taken off the tall cathedral style intake (for torque) that the LQ4 and LQ9 motors have and replaced it with the short runner style from an LS6 along with (for space constraints) an ls6 oil pan from a camaro, as well as the fuel rails and injectors off an 98 z06 LS1 Corvette. A common setup that many of the truck guys are doing to their LQ4 motors are putting the new 6.2 aluminum heads on the LQ4 block. This makes my motor into the same specs as the new 6.2 that the ZR1 corvette has just with a cast iron block and of course without the supercharger. All the new 6.2 GM motors have a 6.0 bottom end with the with different displacement heads and larger valving.

Because of all these commonalities that the new truck motors have I decided to go with the LQ4 motor. I wanted an aluminum LS series motor very bad because of the light weight but I couldn't find one for under 5 grand with all the stuff I was able to get my motor with. To get another 100 HP out of this engine I might throw a cam in later and get the right HP and TQ curves I'm looking for. WWU is getting an brand new Mustang all wheel Dyno and once we get it installed I will be doing a complete remapping of my fuel and ignition curves to match my new exhaust and intake changes that I will have made to the engine. When I'm done my maps should be much closer to the corvette and camaro's than to the trucks maps.

blackdiamond · January 04, 2009, 11:48:31 AM

Quote from: gotrocks on January 04, 2009, 10:09:57 AM
bd

The LQ4 is designed off of the LS1 engine. When they made the switch to go to a coil up plug ignition setup for the truck line they completely redesigned the cast iron engine line. For simplicity sake and design costs EVERY component that the aluminum LSx motors have will bolt on the cast iron blocks. I have taken off the tall cathedral style intake (for torque) that the LQ4 and LQ9 motors have and replaced it with the short runner style from an LS6 along with (for space constraints) an ls6 oil pan from a camaro, as well as the fuel rails and injectors off an 98 z06 LS1 Corvette. A common setup that many of the truck guys are doing to their LQ4 motors are putting the new 6.2 aluminum heads on the LQ4 block. This makes my motor into the same specs as the new 6.2 that the ZR1 corvette has just with a cast iron block and of course without the supercharger. All the new 6.2 GM motors have a 6.0 bottom end with the with different displacement heads and larger valving.

Because of all these commonalities that the new truck motors have I decided to go with the LQ4 motor. I wanted an aluminum LS series motor very bad because of the light weight but I couldn't find one for under 5 grand with all the stuff I was able to get my motor with. To get another 100 HP out of this engine I might throw a cam in later and get the right HP and TQ curves I'm looking for. WWU is getting an brand new Mustang all wheel Dyno and once we get it installed I will be doing a complete remapping of my fuel and ignition curves to match my new exhaust and intake changes that I will have made to the engine. When I'm done my maps should be much closer to the corvette and camaro's than to the trucks maps.

TIMS89CRAWLER · January 04, 2009, 07:07:16 PM

that is sick man.... I cant wait to hear it... hopefully we will see ya at the round-up this year

gotrocks · January 04, 2009, 08:01:47 PM

I hope to we'll see. I'll have a new job I don't know if I can get the time off.

Jordan7118 · January 08, 2009, 03:26:23 PM

Man, how do you afford this sweet stuff?! You're in school and doing this? Ballin'!!!

gotrocks · January 08, 2009, 06:39:15 PM

My dad invested money when I was young and so I have money from a trust fund until I get out of school. God has blessed my family a lot and I really try not to take it for granted.

AaronB · January 08, 2009, 07:33:30 PM

TFB

Jordan7118 · January 08, 2009, 11:54:29 PM

Quote from: gotrocks on January 08, 2009, 06:39:15 PM
My dad invested money when I was young and so I have money from a trust fund until I get out of school. God has blessed my family a lot and I really try not to take it for granted.

That's awesome! We are all very blessed to be able to wheel, and I'm glad you seem to have a level head about it all. Makes it easier to swallow when nice people go far.

Enough mushy, though. How's the swap going? Where dem pics at?!!

gotrocks · January 09, 2009, 12:33:03 AM

Thanks for the compliment. It means a lot. Many people who don't know me have gotten the wrong idea about me growing up that I am some snobby rich kid but actually my dad and mom have made sure I know that nothing is owed to me and that I needed to know how to earn my keep as well. Nearly all my 4wheeling stuff I own is because of buying and selling over the years and making the right decisions. They have helped me out some but I have done most of the work to buy and make what I have in terms of wheeling stuff. When I graduate in June I will be working very hard to make money and hope to build my dad a hot rod someday to thank him for all the hard work he's done over the years to support me growing up and being a great dad. He doesn't understand the whole 4wheeling thing but thats ok. He is still a big horsepower kind of guy and he would love to have a hot rod to just polish, look at and go cruise in.

Back on track in regards to the buggy though:
I am finishing up another quick project at the moment but will be going strong on the buggy by next week. It has to be done for my senior project this quarter and I have to complete my hours in to get my grade.

Jordan7118 · January 09, 2009, 12:47:59 AM

Quote from: gotrocks on January 09, 2009, 12:33:03 AM
buying and selling over the years and making the right decisions.

So you do investments, like stocks and whatnot? Please forgive me if I'm nosing in on your business. I'm just curious how people fund their hobbies.

I, too, would like to give my parents something cool one day. They've helped me along quite a bit, both financially and with sound advice and guidance. My dad isn't really into wheeling, either, but he has a 64 Belair that was his first car that I know he'd be stoked to have fixed up. We'll see what I can do

Sorry for the sidetrack. Good luck with your project. I understand how projects and school get in the way of wheelin'.

gotrocks · January 09, 2009, 12:50:07 PM

Quote from: Jordan7118 on January 09, 2009, 12:47:59 AM
So you do investments, like stocks and whatnot? Please forgive me if I'm nosing in on your business. I'm just curious how people fund their hobbies.

Sorry for the sidetrack. Good luck with your project. I understand how projects and school get in the way of wheelin'.

Yes I do some but I was referring more to buying and selling projects and parts.

Oh and when I was talking about projects I was not saying that its in the way of school. This engine transplant it actually my senior project FOR school. Since I am a Auto and Business major I have to do a project for my auto degree. What makes is so fun is that I get to go have fun with all my hard work and not just a grade when I'm done.

Birfailed · April 13, 2009, 02:06:38 AM

Quote from: gotrocks on January 09, 2009, 12:50:07 PM
Yes I do some but I was referring more to buying and selling projects and parts.

Oh and when I was talking about projects I was not saying that its in the way of school. This engine transplant it actually my senior project FOR school. Since I am a Auto and Business major I have to do a project for my auto degree. What makes is so fun is that I get to go have fun with all my hard work and not just a grade when I'm done.

Haha Omg that's the way to do it! I know what I'm doing with my GI Bill

unclejpl4x4 · April 13, 2009, 03:50:59 AM

wow thats alot of moding just to fit that moter $Beer Chug\'n$

gotrocks · April 13, 2009, 11:10:06 AM

Thanks for the bump guys. I will update the thread within the next couple days. I got the project done and flogged it in Moab for a week. It performed flawlessly and I don't know how I'd ever have less horsepower again.

Shamb · February 01, 2010, 07:10:40 PM

where's the updates?!?!?

Did gotrocks fall off the face of the earth or what?!

Married Life! PSSSHHH

THK Matt · February 01, 2010, 07:59:39 PM

Quote from: Shamb on February 01, 2010, 07:10:40 PM
where's the updates?!?!?

Did gotrocks fall off the face of the earth or what?!

Married Life! PSSSHHH

Forgot about this thing.... WHERE YA GO GR?!

blackdiamond · February 01, 2010, 08:00:37 PM

Quote from: Shamb on February 01, 2010, 07:10:40 PM
where's the updates?!?!?

Did gotrocks fall off the face of the earth or what?!

Married Life! PSSSHHH

The gotrocks family includes a pebbles...

Volcom · February 01, 2010, 08:02:54 PM

Quote from: Shamb on February 01, 2010, 07:10:40 PM
where's the updates?!?!?

Did gotrocks fall off the face of the earth or what?!

Married Life! PSSSHHH

Quote from: blackdiamond on February 01, 2010, 08:00:37 PM
The gotrocks family includes a pebbles...

Figured. That what happens when the kids roll in

I know, I've got 2. Congrats GotRocks!

Shamb · February 03, 2010, 10:45:43 AM

nice, congrats! I know how that is... kids take up alot of time... definently young ones.

BD tell him to get his arse on here once in a while!

blackdiamond · February 04, 2010, 08:32:31 PM

Quote from: Shamb on February 03, 2010, 10:45:43 AM
nice, congrats! I know how that is... kids take up alot of time... definently young ones.

BD tell him to get his arse on here once in a while!

Who said I've talked to him recently?

gotrocks · February 16, 2010, 02:18:26 PM

Quote from: Shamb on February 03, 2010, 10:45:43 AM
nice, congrats! I know how that is... kids take up alot of time... definently young ones.

BD tell him to get his arse on here once in a while!

Sorry for the leave of absence. Been a bit busy recently. I graduated with my bachelors degree, we moved, got a new job, had a baby (well my wife did), working on building a new house, starting a business, etc etc.

Yeah so very busy.

We had a little baby girl and her name is Willow. She was born Oct. 22, 2009 at a whopping 6 lb 10oz. Angela and I have had so much fun with her and love every minute. She is the most smiley happy baby and God truly blessed us with a great little girl.

gotrocks · February 16, 2010, 02:29:01 PM

In terms of the buggy however, it has gone through some changes too. Since my last post, it has been to Moab, Browns Camp, and KOH. We just got back on Sunday and has a blast down there. The plan is to build a new chassis that we will compete in next year at KOH. I believe I've got all the bugs worked out of the buggy, minus needing a new fuel cell. I've been pleaged with this one leaking at the welds, and after years of patching it, it will be getting a bladder type fuel cell.

Here are some recent pictures of whats been done, and how it looks as of last week in order of events.

Nearly completed fab work.

Playing around in Moab March 2009

Some waterfall climbs on Pritchet Canyon

RokCrawlinToy · February 16, 2010, 02:33:18 PM

Too bad I didn't know you were at KOH. Would have liked to meet you and had a

or

. Saw some people from here out there but, I was either going the other way or way too far away to talk to them.

gotrocks · February 16, 2010, 02:33:59 PM

Getting a little throttle happy!

I climbed up the waterfall on Upper Hellderado un-assisted, but only have a video and i need to get it on YouTube. But here are the pictures of the waterfall if people haven't seen it.

gotrocks · February 16, 2010, 03:07:12 PM

Quote from: RokCrawlinToy on February 16, 2010, 02:33:18 PM
Too bad I didn't know you were at KOH. Would have liked to meet you and had a or . Saw some people from here out there but, I was either going the other way or way too far away to talk to them.

Yeah I would've love to have met you as well. We plan on being down there next year for about a week and a half. The goal is to get our new chassis up and going within the next few months, and I should be back down there this fall to do some test and tuneing. I don't know the area very well and would love to meet up with a few guys to learn the trails. Johnson Valley was amazing and I can't believe I've never gone there before. We will be doing a lot of prep for next years race, and might have a few cars in the race hopefully.

RokCrawlinToy · February 16, 2010, 03:10:53 PM

Quote from: gotrocks on February 16, 2010, 03:07:12 PM
Yeah I would've love to have met you as well. We plan on being down there next year for about a week and a half. The goal is to get our new chassis up and going within the next few months, and I should be back down there this fall to do some test and tuneing. I don't know the area very well and would love to meet up with a few guys to learn the trails. Johnson Valley was amazing and I can't believe I've never gone there before. We will be doing a lot of prep for next years race, and might have a few cars in the race hopefully.

Sounds good, let me know when you plan on coming down this fall.