robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

Hey everyone in LSX land, I just picked up an LQ9 for $500 bucks from a friend of mine..here is the engine in question.....



It is an engine of unknown mileage but appears to be in EXCELLENT repair as side from one issue...It appears as if a cam bearing "walked out" here's what I mean.....



And what it looks like outside of the engine..



Other than that everything looks amazing, all the bearings outside of the cam bearings look like they have little to no wear on them and there is still a good bit of cross hatches in the cylinders...









So my question is what would cause the cam bearings to do this?
I'm going to drop the block off at the machine shop to have it checked out for cracks.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

It could have been a bad bearing, a poorly installed bearing, or an improperly machined bearing journal.

Have the machine shop check the journal for proper dimensions and alignment.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

2nd that^

Let the pros give the hands in answer.

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

Just for the sake of arguement, if it were to be that the cam bores are out of alighnment, what would need to be done for repair?

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (2)

No idea on my end.

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Probably a line bore with cam bearings to match?

Im guessing it was a bearing or bearing install issue. Either that or a piece of trash made its way in there and just started to chew things or starve it of oil. Havent really seen too many Gen III's with that going on.

Either way, the rest of the bearings look nice, and the cylinder walls look nice. So if it can be saved, Ide say you'll still have a pretty good deal!

My shop charges $25 to remove and install new cam bearings. To clean up the cam bore I doubt would be more than $75... Assuming it even needs it. So if its just a matter of new bearings you're REAL cheap. If it needs some work, you'll still get out of it pretty easy.

J.

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

Well the 6.0 is an absolute go!! The machinist told me he'd be surprised if there was more than 20k on the engine it was so clean.He even offered to buy it from me for 1500 lol. From what we are guessing is that somehow the cam bearing was pushed back during intial install and came in contact with the nearest lifter, hence the small damage. Other than that the block has been fluxed, tanked and checked and all is good. So this is my plan for this engine since i'm not looking to go absolutely apeshit on it. I just want a good cruiser with power for when I want it. Tell me what you guys think.....

Engine.
LS6 manifold
Z+221 SDPC LSX Camshaft 221/226 .565/.560 114 ( i know it's small but that's ok)
Some Light port work to the 317's with either some Comp 918s or Yellow Z06 springs
A "stockish" rebuild, maybe balancing...basically a hone job with new bearings and a good set of rings.
Meziere Electric water pump and some fabricated brackets for the Alt and PS ( still want to keep it clean lol)
The BRP/Hustler Mid Length headers and a fabbed y-pipe to try and route it to my Aerochamber
Comp Trunion Upgrade kit
Powerbond 25% crank pulley (i'm getting brand new from a friend with Fbody coils and brackets for $150 lol)

Transmission:
Luckily I'm getting a 98 4L60E from a friend that was in an early 5.3 truck. Hopefully I won't run in to any issue from that
A small stall, probably a 2600-2800 from Edge
A probuilt street/strip kit to freshen it up

Rear:
swap the 3:23s out for some 3:42s with an Eaton posi and some 28 spline Moser axles and a Summit racing diff cover. I don't plan on beating this car up too much so the 10 bolt should be ok for now.

So what do you guys think? any guesses on how it will run?

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Thats a silly question... Of course its gonna run awesome!!

Im good with everything you have planned except for the electric water pump. Whats your reasoning for using that? Is this primarily a DD/street car?

Not saying not to... just curious. They always make me nervous. And Ive heard mixed things about them on mild build street cars or daily drivers.

Otherwise you should have a fun little car when youre done!

J.

1SICK90RS

IIRC, someone had an issue using the truck transmissions. Somethin about the tailshaft was to long or something. Good job on the engine, and goodluck with your swap!

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

I'm wanting to use it to help free up space really. I've been running a Proform pump on my TBI car for 3 years now almost everyday with no issue. So it doesn't scare me to run one.

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

Well here's my latest aquisition. It's an early LS1 style intake that I got for FREE!!!.






I know I might be leaving power on the table running it but it should get me by until I can pick up an LS6 when funds allow. I got the Powerbond Pulley and Coils at home that I'll take pics of later.

ghettocruiser

iTrader: (4)

Fair enough! Like I said...I know people that run em. I was going to switch to one actually. But I had no reason other than thinking it'd be cool to have haha. Maybe when my mech pump takes a dumb. Guess I have to be driving the car for that to happen though haha.

Good luck!

J.

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

I have a few more questions I'd like to ask. I've been toying around with using these heads and intake since they are ridiculously cheap and from what I understand you can make great power with them. Would it be cost effective/worth it to use these or go ahead and finish porting my 317's and use the LS6 intake?

intake
http://sdparts.com/details/gm-factor...parts/12590124

heads
http://sdparts.com/details/12629063

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

Anybody? I just read the latest hotrod I believe and they did a comparison of the 317, Ls3 and Afr set of heads and the Ls3's were only better after about 4000rpm. So my next question would be would I just be fine with a set of ported 317's or would the LS3's be the better choice?

Mkos1980

iTrader: (8)

Heres what I got.

70K mile LQ4 Shortblock. 243 LS6/2 Heads. About 10:1 Compression. You should be there since you have an LQ9 and the 317 heads. 317 are identical to the LS6/2 - the Chamber size.

I love my TrickFlow stage 3 cam. 228/230 585/585/ 112 VERY underestimated cam.
Stock Ls6 intake.
Hawk headers with only 2.5 collectors and GMMG exhaust.
4L60E with a 2600 Edge converter.

Numbers are 423RWHP and 399 RWTQ

VERY reliable combo and get 20+ MPG on the highway.

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

Very nice!! How's the drivability? What gears are you running? Any 1/4 times?

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

You would be fine with a set of ported 317's, but the LS3's would make more power. Especially since you have an LS1 intake to use with the ported 317's.

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

Well I don't plan on using it for long, I might just clean it up and sell it to build up funds for the LS6 intake. I guess I should be just fine running the ported 317's. I'd like to keep this build as "budget friendly" as remotely possible. Not to cut corners mind you but just spend my money wisely.

NemeSS-TyranT

iTrader: (1)

No real need for any port work for the 317s. They use intake/exhaust ports as 243/799 heads. Such as ls2/ls6. Chamber is larger but heads can be milled slightly. for slightly more compression. Your best value id a vj and backcut on the heads with a custom grind cam. A cam requires all the supporting hardware anyway, and price diff for custom grind is only so much more. But worth every cent imo.

I put together a 6.0 recently for a co worker
+.030 6.0 lq4
Stock crank,rods, sp pistons/rings,clevite bearings
Stock 317, refreshed vj,backcut on valves.
Eps custom grind 215/220.
In his truck. Made 355/370rw thru 60e on 89 octane. Gets about 22mpg.
Stock truck intake, summit shorty headers. 3in exhaust.
Runs very good, is good on gas, has good tq.
He is on big truck tires and factory 20in chrome wheels

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

That's a good combo, I'm already halfway done with the porting lol. I'm not really trying to hog anything out, just cleaning up the flaws with some bowl blending and shaping up around the valve guides for some better flow.

NemeSS-TyranT

iTrader: (1)

Dont go nuts. A good blend of throat area,with a vj and backcut. Is enuff. No need to hog out the ports. Will hurt them more than help. 243/799/317 are very efficient flowing ports as is

robertfrank

iTrader: (27)

that was the plan, i'll take pics of what i've done so far tonight.