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**bigbrian442** · 08-16-2009, 05:31 AM

Re: Various Motor Swap Questions... (3.8 to LSX vs LQX)

Originally posted by Need4Camaro View Post

I have a 2002 3.8L Firebird - looking for more power.
I want to stand out from the crowd alittle bit...
I have a few questions...First the simple stuff...

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1. I would SERIOUSLY like to keep my stock 125 MPH speedometer. It there any way I could have the PCM configured to correctly operate the gauge cluster or MUST I go with the 155 MPH speedometer?

If you want all gauges to read correctly, then the 155 is a must.

Originally posted by Need4Camaro View Post

2. I have heard a few people saying that their A4 Trans from their V6 bolted up JUST FINE to the LSX with no modification required, albeit rather a minority, it could save me alot of money if I could do the same... How would I go about finding out if mine would bolt to the Motor??

Someone is lying to you. You need to change things that require complete disassemble of the transmission and parts from a V8 F body trans as well.

Originally posted by Need4Camaro View Post

3. I have a Y87, how much power can that Posi Handle because I already have the gears (3.42's) I want.

It is the same rear that the V8 cars came with.

Originally posted by Need4Camaro View Post

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Now the more technical questions
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4. The LS1, LQ4, and LQ9 are basically the same bottom end motor, with the exception that the LQX motors have a slightly larger bore and they're made of Iron... The LQX motors I believe are about 200 LB's heavier than the LSX motors if I'm not mistaken, however since they have more displacement, given the same mods, the LQX will make more power. HOWEVER, will it be enough power to overcome the weight difference or should I just aim for the LSX? Reason I'm asking is you can get an LQX motor and transmission for about a grand cheaper than an LSX motor and transmission.

Try about 88 pounds heavier. Yes, they will make more power if you change the heads, cam and intake.

Originally posted by Need4Camaro View Post

5. If I do decide to go LQX, what should I look for in terms of my suspension setup on the front?

Change the front springs.

Originally posted by Need4Camaro View Post

6. Once again, on the LQX - Which PCM and Wiring Harness should I use? The one that comes with the LQX motor or the one built for an LSX of my year and model?

The one for your year car with a LS1 would be the easiest to adapt.

Originally posted by Need4Camaro View Post

7. With an LQX, can I use the stock accessory belt routing or should I convert it to an LSX setup?

No. You will need the accessory's and brackets off of a LS1 F body. The Corvette and truck stuff will not work. This includes the harmonic damper.

Originally posted by Need4Camaro View Post

8. I assume I wont need to do anything fancy to remove the vortec intake and swap in an LS6 / FAST Intake correct?

It will just bolt on but you will need brackets and water bypass tubes from a motor with the LS6 intake.

Originally posted by Need4Camaro View Post

9. The 4L80E A4 from the LQX motors, will it bolt up to a 4th gen F-Body and function in my 02 Firebird or will there be modification required?

Modification will be required to the car and PCM.

**semperverax** · 09-14-2009, 11:18 AM

Re: Various Motor Swap Questions... (3.8 to LSX vs LQX)

Doing the swap into my 96. Quite a bit more difficult. Custom wiring and so on. In terms of weight 88lbs is right. Which you can shave off rather easily. Put headers on will shave 11lb manifolds. Aluminum heads shave the 40 sum odd lbs of iron heads. On top of that I went with tubular solid mounts which spohn said drops another 10. My gauges won't work without a converter box etc etc it's a pain but worth it. Also on the trans you will need a fbody tailshaft for the torque arm mount. Modify the tranny crossmember, ls1 throttle cables. And many more little things I can't remember off the top of my head.

**bigbrian442** · 09-14-2009, 11:31 AM

Re: Various Motor Swap Questions... (3.8 to LSX vs LQX)

Almost all LS heads are aluminum, a few truck heads might be iron. The 88 pound difference is from the iron V6 compared to the aluminum block and head LS1. Tom RS did A LS1 conversion to a 97.

http://forum.camarov6.com/showthread.php?t=95439

**ssms5411** · 09-14-2009, 02:17 PM

Re: Various Motor Swap Questions... (3.8 to LSX vs LQX)

If you want to shave off some weight in the front go with a TUB. K member and tubular lower/upper A arms's, should be worth 40LBS+, also a light weight hood about 20 LBS+. Theirs 60 LBS+ at least right their or more. I run this plus QA-1 Shocks and springs and it raised my V6 front about 1" with also no front bumper support and windsheold resivior and misc. deleted items up front and its about over 120 LBS off the front end, but I'm adding a turbo so I will have about 50-60LBS in turbo stuff back on the front end when I'm done, so basicly I'm saving 60lbs off the front but adding another 150-200 WRHP so it works out pretty well. But I would look into the K and A lower A arms at least their the most heaviest and the front bumper support, TUB upper A arm about a 1-2LB different than stock so not really a big difference. QA-1's are about 7LBS per side so not a huge difference but it starts to add up. I would go with a LSX motor since more parts ready available and cheaper.

**bigbrian442** · 09-14-2009, 02:27 PM

Re: Various Motor Swap Questions... (3.8 to LSX vs LQX)

My fiberglass Raptor hood was only 12 pounds lighter then the flat steel hood. That was disappointing.

**Tom Rs** · 09-14-2009, 03:18 PM

Re: Various Motor Swap Questions... (3.8 to LSX vs LQX)

my thread has lots of good info in there. All gauges will work fine, you do not need a v8 cluster

**bigbrian442** · 09-15-2009, 02:08 AM

Re: Various Motor Swap Questions... (3.8 to LSX vs LQX)

Originally posted by Tom Rs View Post

All gauges will work fine, you do not need a v8 cluster

That is for a 96 and 97 car. 98 up cars you will need the V8 cluster or the oil pressure and tach will read incorrectly..... Been there.

**ssms5411** · 09-15-2009, 02:33 AM

Re: Various Motor Swap Questions... (3.8 to LSX vs LQX)

Brian , what years use the Dakota signal adapters? I forget , is it 96-97 years, for the RPMS?

**Tom Rs** · 09-15-2009, 05:37 AM

Re: Various Motor Swap Questions... (3.8 to LSX vs LQX)

Originally posted by bigbrian442 View Post

That is for a 96 and 97 car. 98 up cars you will need the V8 cluster or the oil pressure and tach will read incorrectly..... Been there.

not true. You need to re-program the tach output to a 4/4 from the pcm and you need to run a wire from the pcm pin for oil pressure to the gauge.

**Tom Rs** · 09-15-2009, 05:38 AM

Re: Various Motor Swap Questions... (3.8 to LSX vs LQX)

Originally posted by ssms5411 View Post

Brian , what years use the Dakota signal adapters? I forget , is it 96-97 years, for the RPMS?

dont need that if u have a tune or hp tuners

**bigbrian442** · 09-15-2009, 11:09 AM

Re: Various Motor Swap Questions... (3.8 to LSX vs LQX)

Originally posted by Tom Rs View Post

not true. You need to re-program the tach output to a 4/4 from the pcm and you need to run a wire from the pcm pin for oil pressure to the gauge.

Tach output/resolution/high and Tach output/resolution/low?

And for the oil pressure gauge the sweep is off. Running a wire will not help on 98 and up. The gauge works and points where it should if the numbers were in the same spots on both clusters. Unfortunately GM thinks the V6 needs more oil pressure then the 8.

**Tom Rs** · 09-16-2009, 09:48 AM

Re: Various Motor Swap Questions... (3.8 to LSX vs LQX)

Originally posted by bigbrian442 View Post

Tach output/resolution/high and Tach output/resolution/low?

And for the oil pressure gauge the sweep is off. Running a wire will not help on 98 and up. The gauge works and points where it should if the numbers were in the same spots on both clusters. Unfortunately GM thinks the V6 needs more oil pressure then the 8.

yes thats what i did in the pcm. the tach is basically right on. Yes you are right the numbers on the oil pressure are different but the gauge still reads.

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Various Motor Swap Questions... (3.8 to LSX vs LQX)

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