wongboh Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 (edited) After getting my car stolen 4 years ago I'm finally getting back into the swing of things. I just purchased a 1972 240z with a SBC 350 / TH400 from an IROCz. It's a great motor and will serve me well while I piece together my new motor. In the meanwhile it had an oil leak so I decided to change the gaskets and paint the existing engine/firewall to clean things up a bit. I was originally going to buy an LS1/T56 but decided to go with an LQ4 so I could install a nice set of rectangular port LS3 heads. I decided to go with the LQ4 because I wanted to keep costs down. The car has good bones and no frame damage. I know the exterior needs work, but that can all be fixed via parts cars on Craigslist. I'm still doing my research and planning it out, but I've listed some photos/parts list of what I have so far. I've been a member of this forum for 9 years and finally have a 240 to work on. I'm excited to share my progress--hopefully this post will be helpful to someone in the future who wishes to do something similar. HLS30: That's the previous owner in the second photo smoking a cigarette Existing Engine: 350 SBC (Casting 14010207) Weiland Intake Manifold Edelbrock 4 Barrel Carburator Before & After Paint: I painted the firewall and engine with duplicolor high temp paint. When I install the new motor, I plan to have everything sandblasted and repainted. Future Engine: LQ4 Shortblock Purchased from Craigslist for $300 local (from 2003 2500HD, mileage unknown) Planning to have this honed, hot tanked, and re-assembled Will do an .030 overbore, pistons, and balance the rotating assembly if the shop recommends Oil Pan - TBD L99 Heads (Casting: 823 with 11,000 miles) Purchased from Ebay for $715 shipped My understanding is this is equivalent to LS3 heads but with VVT (Fitted to automatic Camero SS's) Rocker Arms - TBD Note: The 8 Intake rocker arms need to be offsett i.e. from a rectangular port head: LS3,L99,L76,L77,L92) while the exhaust rocker arms do not need to be offset and are interchangable with (LSx...etc) LS1 valve covers purchased from eBay for $75 shipped LS7 Cam: I chose this cam after reading these articles: (5.3L LM7 & 6.0L LQ4) Purchased from eBay for $105 shipped I wanted to increase lift as much as possible while keeping the stock valve-train Lift: 0.558/0.558 with 1.7 rockers (LS7 Cam) Duration: 211/230 (LS7 Cam) LSA: 121 degrees (LS7 Cam) The LM7 article lists the specs on a stock LM7 w/ beehive valvetrain upgrade: Crank HP: 422 at 6,300 rpm Crude estimate on my setup: 422HP * 6.0L/5.3L = 478 Crank HP Crank TQ: 395 at 5,000 rpm Crude estimate on my setup: 395TQ * 6.0L/5.3L = 447 Crank TQ Note: An LQ4 equipped with L92 heads will flow much more air than an LM7 The LQ4 article lists the specs on an LQ4 with L92 heads fitted with a 4-barrel carb and GMPP GM Performance Parts - Hot Cam: part# 12480033 LIft: 0.525 compared to the LS7's 0.558 Duration: 219/228 compared to the LS7's 211/230 Crank HP: 471HP @ 6,600 rpm Crude estimate on my setup: 471HP * (211/219)*(230/228)*(.558/.525) = 487 crank HP Crank TQ: 417TQ @ 5,000 rpm Crude estimate on my setup: 417TQ * (211/219)*(230/228)*(.558/.525) = 431 crank TQ My understanding is that a 58 tooth gear will be needed as well as the front cover/timing sensor Cam Gear, cover, and timing sensor - TBD L77 Intake Manifold, Fuel Rail, Injectors Purchased from ebay for $305 shipped from Austrailia Coil Packs - TBD Throttle Body - TBD Intake - TBD Exhaust: I plan to use the existing system: 2.5" Dual Magnaflow (no crossover) Standalone Harness I haven't done much research hear but I'm hoping to learn how to modify an existing Ly6 or L92 harness I listed an LY6 or L92 above because my gut tells me these will be inexpensive compared to LS3 harnesses but again, I haven't done much research here yet. Existing Drivetrain: Differential: The previous owner installed an R200 with turboZX axles. I'm planning to install billet stub axles I will need to research if the existing R200 will need to be upgraded I'm planning on having anywhere between 400-500 ft-lb of torque Existing Transmission TH400 with a B&M shifter (came with care from CL) Future Transmission T-56 - (I'm currently looking around for deals) Suspension: I plan to keep the existing setup Tokiko Shocks and springs (came with car) 15" Panasports (came with car) Brakes: I plan to upgrade the brakes before I install the new motor setup Toyota Brake upgrade: TBD Body: I plan to sandblast the whole body and replace the rusted panels in the future. Running Total of Expenses $4,200 Car $300 LQ4 Short Block $75 LS1 Valve Covers $715 L99 Heads $305 L76 Intake Manifold, Rails, Injectors $5,595 Total Please let me know if any of my information above is incorrect. I anticipate this will be a 2-3 year project. My goal is 400hp/ft-lbs @ wheels using mostly stock parts so I can maintain the vehicle using GM's recommended service intervals. I'd like to have the flexibility to take the car on road trips and weekend road course events. Here's a photo of me on the day I bought the car (notice the smile from ear to ear). That's my friend in the back in my Mercedes which I will be selling to pay for this project. Wish me luck! Edited June 2, 2015 by wongboh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marks260z Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crapforum Posted June 2, 2015 Share Posted June 2, 2015 (edited) Sounds like a nice build, just use gm parts for all the stuff you are missing. I would have recommended buying a complete motor assembly, the little parts add up in price quickly (bolts, gaskets, wires, sensors, etc). I have a LY6 which is a 6.0 that came factory with those L99 heads, I swapped in a cam with .590 .580 lift and added an LS3 intake assembly. Just got back from the dyno today and made 392hp and tq at the wheels through a TR6060. Also good luck on finding the 6 speed, those things are like gold to everyone these days. Also I am using the stock R180 with stock axles and some stock tires size and compound. With that combination it is surviving so far, I imagine if I got some sticky tires and did hard launches it would not last very long, but me just driving around on the street and only flooring it once it builds up some speed is keeping it alive. The R200 and turbo axles that you have on the other hand should survive even with some hard launches. Edited June 2, 2015 by crapforum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wongboh Posted June 3, 2015 Author Share Posted June 3, 2015 Thanks for the info! 392 isn't far off from 400--that's reassuring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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