Would you mind giving me the budget build video links? I've had no luck in finding a decent one. Most videos I come across are like one off videos around 5 minutes long and super vague.
CUTLASS LQ4 Requirements?
- Thread starter Jeremy Davis
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Would you mind giving me the budget build video links? I've had no luck in finding a decent one. Most videos I come across are like one off videos around 5 minutes long and super vague.
Ironically, I'm currently in talks on possibly buying a 455 Olds. I ran across it on facebook. We're currently negotiating price. What all would be different on a 455 swap? I've had no luck on finding any Olds 350 or 403. I'm basically on the line between the 455 Olds if we can agree or a LQ4.
i'm putting a 455 in my 88 cutlass supreme classic, the swap was done before i got the car but it had a blown head gasket and a rob knocking. from everything i've seen they used the factory 307-350 olds engine mounts, 70 cutlass manifolds and a double hump transmission crossmember for the turbo 350 thats in it. everything else was swapped over from the old 307 minus a edelbrock intake and holley carb. they remove the ac and re glassed the hvac box for more clearance but may be capable to keepin a/c just might be a tight fit.
I’m on board with do the 455 olds. The guys are right. The ls swap will be a tough swap for a first timer. There so many variables and so many things are just different enough to make you insane. Engine mounts, accessories, power steering pulley swap if necessary, oil pan, carb, mad and intake set up will run you roughly in the 9plus unless you find a deal or barter, and much more. The 455 should give you a nice boost in power from what you have now. You’ll be happy and then later on as you read and research you can decide if you still want to do ls swap Into something.
Just my 2 cents. But if you decide to go ahead with the ls swap I’ll help you all I can.
Just my 2 cents. But if you decide to go ahead with the ls swap I’ll help you all I can.
I’m on board with do the 455 olds. The guys are right. The ls swap will be a tough swap for a first timer. There so many variables and so many things are just different enough to make you insane. Engine mounts, accessories, power steering pulley swap if necessary, oil pan, carb, mad and intake set up will run you roughly in the 9plus unless you find a deal or barter, and much more. The 455 should give you a nice boost in power from what you have now. You’ll be happy and then later on as you read and research you can decide if you still want to do ls swap Into something.
Just my 2 cents. But if you decide to go ahead with the ls swap I’ll help you all I can.
Just my 2 cents. But if you decide to go ahead with the ls swap I’ll help you all I can.
The 455 will be a lot easier than the LS swap, by a long shot. But don't fret--you'll still have a few fitment issues to challenge your mind. 😉 My BBC fit with my stock A/C box in place, but it might be tight for your BBO. So many guys in this forum have done this swap, I'm sure they can tell you about the few issues and how to overcome them easily.
To do the LS swap you need to have an understanding of electricity and the ability to use a multimeter. I'm not saying you need to be a master electrician, but you can't be scared to turn on the multimeter. The mechanical aptitude that Turbolq4 is referencing is, at times, an aptitude to be creative. Nothing is going to fit like a glove. You'll have to make things fit and make things work. Things as simple as the radiator hoses, trans crossmember, transmission lines to cooler, etc, all will require some creativity and ability to make something work that will be reliable. And exhaust - you'll be fabbing it or taking it to an exhaust shop to have some custom pipes fabricated/bent for you. For me, these are the parts of the build that I enjoy because I like the level of accomplishment I get from doing something creative and seeing it come to fruition. But you may not have the same attitude, if you're easily frustrated, then perhaps something more conventional.
Onto the BBO program - absolutely nothing wrong going down that path either IMO. BB power, whether it be Olds, Buick, Chevy or Mopar, is still BB power. If you go this route you will develop a firm understanding of 'there is no replacement for displacement'. No crazy cam grinds and crappy idling motor is needed to roast a tire off from any BB. The downside to the BB program is finding a motor that doesn't need rebuilding - rebuilding a 455 Olds to stock or stock plus a little will be more than double of the price of the junkyard LS swap IMO.
A little easier than swapping in an LS motor and trans is swapping motor only along with a TH350 or TH400. FWIW, if your swapping the trans from the donor, then make sure it's a 4L80E. If all you can find is a 4L60E, then leave that heartbreaker at the junkyard. Not many will recommend a TH350 with an LS swap, but if you have no intention of getting into the 500HP range, then a TH350 will work just fine.
I can't disagree with any of the posts just previous to mine, but here's my 'budget' LS swap - TH350 or TH400 with a 5.3 with a microsquirt. I recommend a 5.3 unless you have the budget for a 6.0 - in this area the 6.0's are rare and expensive, whereas the 5.3's are cheap and the 4.8's are virtually free. A 5.3 with a cam swap will run neck and neck with any 6.0 and in stock form they are all over 300HP (which os more than driveable). I recommend a microsquirt because one can be had for sub $400 https://www.diyautotune.com/product/microsquirt-engine-management-system-w-8-39-wiring-harness/ and then an O2 sensor ($150-200) is needed. An inline fuel pump and filter ($150).
What is your skill set and budget?
On another note is this your daily driver or a toy? Remember that an swapping to another engine thats the same can be done in a weekend for a first timer but a swap to anything other than what came there will likely cause down time for that vehicle. The harder the swap the longer it will sit.
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