Motor shop Recommendations
 

I hope to pull that lq4 apart this weekend and was wondering who you people would recommend to bring the block to to have it cleaned up and what not, Id like to have the heads ported by the same guy, instead of dealing with two different shops, so any recommendations or warnings are appreciated.

I used c3 machine RT1 foxboro to clean my block and install new cam bearing. He aslo ordered my rings and crank and main bearings for me. Price was fair as well. I know he does all types of motors but don't know it he can port and polish.

I dunno who around here would be best but make sure they are ls specific. I remember somewhere they need special tools but i may be mistaken. Maybe when Don gets back from vaycay he will know someone.

yeah special tooling is needed and Knowledge of the motor. Alot is NOT the same as any old small block. Reids Automotive in whitman has been doing a good job lately for people locally. Also ask Joe(slp iroc z) he just got his motor back and it runs GREAT!

Was going to mention reids as well. they've built my 305tpi, a buddy of mines l98 that's still in his vette, and another friends 406tpi as well. Guy does some great builds and pretty decently priced.

Reid's can probly take care of the iron block build. For head porting nobody in ne.

i agree with don. they Might be able to get some more out of the heads. but Nothing a Great porter like TEA or Lloyd Elliot can do. even Advanced Induction is doing some good shit with LS1 heads. Granted im in the LT1 head domain and havent looked into a GREAT! LS1 head porter that will take your heads. someone else may have a better idea then me.

Thanks for the help, maybe joe will chime in soon, who would you recommend for head porting Don?

Better off buying ported 5.3's so you cAn get the compression up.

Unless you gonna boost it there young lad.....

Interested to see how the swap process goes. I've been looking into swapping mine for a couple years vs building the LT1 and decided I'll try to find a whole donor car for harness pcm dash accessories ETC.

That would be the ideal route for me, Im looking at the vrx5 cam, but wouldnt I need valve reliefs if I go with 5.3 heads?

Yeah, Im Staying NA, but im not looking forward to trying to gather up all the pieces I need and spending the money haha, im not sure What Ill do as far as the wiring harness goes yet, Ive read about guys modifying the stock lt1 harness to work, some say its not bad, theres a guy on tech thats helped a few guys out with their harnesses, maybe I can get him to do one more lol

Bribes go a long way, I here thats how you get slowhawk to tune the good ole lt1 lol

yeah but id just hate to have an ls with the shitty lt1 dash still haha.

Your harness wil not work at all. You will need to swap to atleast a 1994 up interior and engine hraness. The 1993 harness is bank fired NOT sequential like the 1994 up and ls1. So your stock harness is missing 8 extra wires as each bank only has one wire to fire the. Injectors on each side. It would be a nightmare to do it. And the ecm connectors are different and because of that the wiring is not long enough to reach across the newer style conector pcm's. Have a harness made for your custom app. Through efi connections or get a donor car/all new harnesses. 1993 is notttt easy. And your tranny will not work as it is not pcm controlled either. Not to mention the bolt pattern. Hope this info helps. If you need anymore I got it. I was doing this swap(kind of) with my 1993 t/a.

lawrence crankshaft did all my engine work. they do all our diesel work as well. they are in haverhill now in miller machines old building, they are also using alot of millers equipment. very good guys there and do great work!

oh dang I thought he got an LS tranny too...


Yeah I'll be going there and mentioning you when the time comes :klab:

I know the tranny wont work, but I need all new interior from a 1994 and up car? I was thinking switching out just the cluster and leaving the rest.

The wiring from the engine harness to the interior harness is different. As well as the cluster that runs to the gas tank and the gas gauge won't work either. Ls1 fuel level runs through the ecm. Those wires are not in the engine to dash dash connectors.

Jesus fuck.....more parts and money

I keep telling people its cheaper to buy an ls1 car and go from there! Or buy a wrecked car so you have allll the swap parts you need.

Thats probably what its going to come down to, finding a wrecked car, im def staying with my shell tho not everyday you see an lt1 with a 6.0 in it, plus all the mustang boys will think its only an lt1, which is ironic cuz ive schooled quite a few mustangs with my little lt1 haha But im in no rush to throw this together, this may take a while, parts will come in as the extra $ money does. if it takes 2 years, so be it haha

new kid on here just posted he has a wrecked 01 bird may have a harness for u. check him out.

Thanks mang, just posted up asking if hed sell the whole car.