Thread: Project LQ4 - V8 S10 - Sold.

Probably because it's summer in Arizona?

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

Probably because it's summer in Arizona?

That's probably the biggest factor. I try not to complain about the heat. We knew what we were signing up for when we moved out here, but facts is facts. When it's 106° in the shade, I just feel like staying in and watching Netflix. At least until the sun goes down.


I did manage to button it up the other day. Should know soon if this one was a success. I'm rolling the dice on reusing the electronics and torque convertor. Based on what I saw, I'd be willing to bet it's been rebuilt at least once in the past. This unit was pulled due to a obviously failed sun shell.

Should know soon if this one was a success.

It worked. Brother in law said it shifted good. I'm going to call my first 4L60e build a success.

S10 update:
Did a little VE tuning this afternoon. Today was the first weekend day in a long time with some cooler weather. Mid 70's with scattered clouds. Topped off with some Shell 91 and hit the road. It was perfect. Made three thirty minute trips around my normal circuit, getting closer to zero's every time. I'd like to do the same next weekend to get even closer before dialing in the MAF, but that will depend on my schedule. Life gets busy. FWIW, this truck is certainly not the fastest thing on the road, not by a long shot, but running WOT through all 4 speeds still puts a smile on my face. Breaking loose on the 1-2 is cool, but the 3-4 bump at 90+mph is my favorite. Hehehe!

Maintenance wise, it's been mostly trouble free. I'm pretty sure the S10 charcoal canister is givin up it's guts. There is/was black granules all in the vent line. Enough to plug it solid, right up to the purge solenoid. Cleared it out, and it was good for a couple months, but eventually plugged up again. Not sure why, but it was causing a loud whistle from under the truck at anything above 15mph. Took a while to chase that down. Anyhow, I just disconnected the purge valve and suppressed the codes. Problem solved. I may get another charcoal canister and reconnect the evap system in the future, but that's a way low priority. Still have an intermittent ABS light. Again... Low priority. Probably just wait for the wheel bearings/hubs to go bad. Replacement will be the eventual fix for that.

Still a blast to drive!

You mean 2-3 at 90+ right?

3rd gear should go to like 120-130mph if you were in it that long depending on tire size and gearing.

Your truck doesn't weight much so that helps but they do say to yank it down into 3rd when giving it the beans, more so for really powerful builds. You can grenade the roller clutch because that's the only thing being engaged when in D4. Using D3 will use both the overrun clutches and roller clutch to hold all the power from the input shaft.

Originally Posted by Fivefingerdeathpunch

You mean 2-3 at 90+ right?

Lol! I looked at the logs. I was way wrong! More like 2-3 at 75 then I let out at 103. My perception of what actually happened from memory is really bad.

When I'm at the track, I pull it into D3. I didn't this time though. I could lie and say I wanted to see what the WOT 4-2 felt like, but if I'm being honest, I just didn't think about it. Been a while since I was in "sport" mode.

Just passed emissions. Good for another 2 years. Hard to believe it's been road legal for 2 full years now.

All in all, it's been pretty reliable. Time to make some decisions though... For those that don't know, I picked up a 2006 Silverado 2500HD that needed a bunch of work for only $750. Can be seen here: [ '06 Silverado 2500HD Fleet Offerup rehab - PerformanceTrucks.net Forums ]. Well I got that all fixed up and road worthy (I think). So, in theory, I have another dailey driver. Just need to insure it.

Question is; Which direction do I go now...
1.) Tear into the 1984 K10 that I plan to LM7 swap? [ My 1984 K10 - LM7 swap!! ]. Motor is all clean with fresh gaskets and a little cam. Ready to drop in. That would mean tearing apart a running/driving but not registered or insured truck. Probably take 6-9 months. Money likely being the limiting factor. Estimated cost, $1000 on top of what I've already spent.

OR

2.) Make some upgrades to the S10. I've been REALLY wanting to put a more aggressive cam in it. That would mean springs and probably pushrods also. Re-stalling the factory convertor is also on the list. The LSD needs a rebuild as well. Guessing 4-6 weeks down time. Again, money being the restriction. Probably be $600 in upgrades. To a truck that already runs and drives.

Decisions, decisions... What would you do, and why?

you got LS fever lol

I would say the K10, simply because putting it off is easy to do and to keep doing.

Forcing yourself to do the more difficult of the two will inevitably make you happier than looking at an unfinished project for months or potentially years. The LQ4 was originally purchased/meant for the K10, if I'm not mistaken? Then a decision was made, more trucks were bought, and the K10 is still in the back yard from the last pics I saw.

If you keep the S10 and I read that Silverado post.. the wife keeps the Silverado. Now you need to do the K10 as your truck

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

you got LS fever lol

I have a fever. And the only cure is, MORE LS SWAPS!!

Originally Posted by WarStryker13

I would say the K10, simply because putting it off is easy to do and to keep doing.

Ug. That's true. For me, the hardest part of any project is taking the first step. I analyzed that Yukon for three days before I un-clipped the first wire connection. One I did that though, it didn't take long to get the drivetrain completely out.

Forcing yourself to do the more difficult of the two will inevitably make you happier than looking at an unfinished project for months or potentially years. The LQ4 was originally purchased/meant for the K10, if I'm not mistaken? Then a decision was made, more trucks were bought, and the K10 is still in the back yard from the last pics I saw.

You remember correctly. I'm impressed. So if I'm reading that correctly, you're saying the K10 got jipped out of a motor swap and passed over for the S10, so it's the K10's turn for some attention? Sound logic.

Originally Posted by SgtMarshal

I would stick with the S-10. I own two 5.3's, one in my GXP and one in the half ton. the half ton runs so much better because it has a decent cam in it and no DOD. the biggest reason i would stick with the S-10 is driveablity. I imagine it's a lot easier to drive and park than all the other vehicles. probably better on gas too.

Easier to drive and certainly more fun as it sits right now. Not sure it's any better on gas though. I really like the noises it makes when I push the gas pedal HARD!

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

If you keep the S10 and I read that Silverado post.. the wife keeps the Silverado. Now you need to do the K10 as your truck

Well, the wife is currently driving an '04 Olds Silhouette, and will continue to do so. She too has an unhealthy passion for beat up Chevy trucks and would love to make the Silverado her DD, but the mileage on the minivan vs a 3/4 ton truck is a hard pill to swallow. The Silverado will be more of a backup vehicle, if the S10 or Silhouette breaks down.

l67 swap the olds before the 3.4 blows a head gasket.

She may not want to drive the truck if her van is a screamer

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Basically.. we are all saying, go work on the K10 and don't sell anything at the moment. Once you have too many solid vehicles, then consider it before buying the next one to swap.

sell all crap and get a real muscle car!

I ain't real studied up on the specifics you've stated, but ^^^^ thats a good thought. Just entertain the thought of vintage tin long enough to see whats out there that you could trade the unswapped K10 on. Thats a thing, "trade for good running 4x4" that you see when surfing up classics. If a dose of cool is what you are missing, piles of LS swaps in uninteresting bodies will only ever get you where you are now. If you have never spent a weekend driving a muscle type car, authentic and obnoxious, and experienced the reactions... its a treat you just can't get otherwise and its pretty much guaranteed the family would be head over heels for that. If you just want larger piles of LS, keep doing what you're doing. About the S10... boredom is a lousy excuse to move away from it. You set that up, now drive the value all the way out of it. You can drive the same thing for a long time and live, I have learned that.

Originally Posted by wowitsfast

l67 swap the olds before the 3.4 blows a head gasket.

She may not want to drive the truck if her van is a screamer

I have entertained this thought. It is on the "to do" list at some point in the future.

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

Basically.. we are all saying, go work on the K10 and don't sell anything at the moment. Once you have too many solid vehicles, then consider it before buying the next one to swap.

Whoah! Slow down brother! Who said anything about selling? I'm keeping every one of these beauties. I'm just trying to figure out what to work on next. I can't get rid of the S10. I might be able to sell it for what I have into it, but certainly not more. I'm going to drive it into the ground then part it out. Can't sell the K10. It's a family heirloom. Can't sell the Silverado. It's the backup/loaner/heavy hauler. I've basically painted myself into a corner on keeping all 3. Poor me. #sarcasm.

Originally Posted by ItHurtz

sell all crap and get a real muscle car!

Way out of my budget. Plus the other drivers in Tucson are so bad... I would be constantly worried if I drove something really nice.

Originally Posted by idrivejunk

I ain't real studied up on the specifics you've stated, but ^^^^ thats a good thought. Just entertain the thought of vintage tin long enough to see whats out there that you could trade the unswapped K10 on. Thats a thing, "trade for good running 4x4" that you see when surfing up classics. If a dose of cool is what you are missing, piles of LS swaps in uninteresting bodies will only ever get you where you are now. If you have never spent a weekend driving a muscle type car, authentic and obnoxious, and experienced the reactions... its a treat you just can't get otherwise and its pretty much guaranteed the family would be head over heels for that. If you just want larger piles of LS, keep doing what you're doing. About the S10... boredom is a lousy excuse to move away from it. You set that up, now drive the value all the way out of it. You can drive the same thing for a long time and live, I have learned that.

I hear you. I get more feedback from people when I drive the mostly stock and slow K10 then when I drive the V8 swapped S10. People just have a thing for classic cars, or in my case, a truck. I wouldn't say I'm bored with the S10. Far from it. Just trying to figure out where to focus my automotive ADD.

Corey was talking about a Dodge product

all mopars or no cars! 69 charger tickles my pickle

Originally Posted by BillBoost37

Corey was talking about a Dodge product

Oh, I see. Yeah, that ain't happening. See reasons listed above AND, right or wrong, I've always been a GM guy. It's what I know. It's my safe place.

Originally Posted by ItHurtz

all mopars or no cars! 69 charger tickles my pickle

You'd let a 5'9" lady with a lazy eye and an adams apple tickle your pickle.

Does she like doggy style?