Project: Big White Elephant! 88 GMC Sierra LQ4/4l80e/Turbo Build

[Hivelocit]

Long Time No See!

Little Update: things really slowed down while putting the engine back together. Quite a few things I bought hastily without doing enough research, one thing about putting a motor together don't just "assume" that what your buying will fit without modification. For example I bought a double roller timing chain and that coupled with my Melling 10296 oil pump made it impossible to fit the front cover on. I grinded A LOT on the cover to the point where I was uncomfortable going any further so I went with a single roller. Also went with different rod bolts the ARP's I first purchased required me to resized the rods, which was the same overall price as just selling my ARP's and purchasing Katechs that supposedly do not require resizing of the rods, although some may argue that. Problem with rod resizing also is the fact my crank was balanced already with the rods untouched grinding them would require the crank balanced once again! One more thing PR's had to be sent back, my original idea was to re-use the lifters but decided to just replace them with LS7's. That took me shorter than he original 7.4's I bought! LOL

Not complaining though just posting here so someone might catch these things before-hand unlike me, although these things are common knowledge for some HaHa!

Well this a picture as she sits with an intake mock-up for fun.

[Hivelocit]

Engine

Pinned the crank a couple months ago and did not have any pins left so I contacted a company who custom makes steel dowels for any length and size. Only thing is I had to buy them in bulk. So if anyone needs some lemme know hah!



Installed a timing chain dampener from TEA onto my block that did not have the pre-existing holes. Worked like a charm. Also went with a single chain because I could not fit the melling pump along with the double roller.



Bought a Trick Performance cast manifold (thanks Rick), and I can say the craftsmanship is top notch.

Decided to go DBW instead of DBC because the changes necessary were not to my liking considering I already have a DBW setup. So an 87mm TB and X-Link are now part of the family.

Talked with John at PSI Conversion and had him build me a custom harness, and received it within the week I ordered it as well. Fast shipping, great customer service, and excellent workmanship on the harness. I recommend PSI 110%

Transmission

Installed the Transgo HD2 Shift kit myself all the way up to the internal parts and that I had my tranny guy install. Obviously not everyone has their transmission out of their vehicle so maybe this step gets missed or is not extremely important? Never thought to ask first thought it was integral to the whole kit. Anyways new seals and filters were added as well and the internals looked great so it is ready to go.

Went with a Circle D Triple Disc 1a which I believe is somewhere in the ballpark of a 2800 stall. The LS SFI approved FP I bought was not offset far enough so I had a .314in gap I had to make up with spacers from Comp. Engineering.


Rear-end

What is everyone's thoughts here about a 14 bolt? I find them on Craigslist quite frequently here for cheap so I wonder if I should do the 14 or build my 10 bolt? Suggestions are welcome!

Turbo

Bought a Borg Warner S480 with hot pipes off a member on PT.net and will post up some pics.

A little headway!

Took out the old and busted 350 just the other day, and set the old beast aside. I disassembled the whole front end since she is 25 years old and could use some cleaning up and fresh coats of paint. Not too mention its so much easier working at it from this direction instead of an angle.

I am gonna be a photo junkie a bit and post some pictures of the progress for those who would like to see, here you go!

[Hivelocit]

Finally got the engine and transmission mated together after some issues with the TC and Flexplate not snugging up, thanks again Chris for helping solve that problem.


Much easier with the front end off! Painted the frame with Por-15 the and repainted the firewall to clean up the engine bay a bit...


Anyways here she sits. I started the install today and just have to get the cross-member fitted to the trans. Will try and get more done this week, starting with the harness, and get back to posting more pics.


And success!

[Mickeymotormount]

Great looking build. I wish I had the time to do mine this way.

[Hivelocit]

Great looking build. I wish I had the time to do mine this way.

Thanks man! All I have is time... In fact this build has been ongoing for about 4 years now! I am starting to think its only the journey that matters lol

[Hivelocit]

Anyone have knowledge of where I can find a good write-up concerning the 4l80e swap into an OBS, particularly the shift linkage, I see some have shortened it 1.5-2" and just want to be sure this is the appropriate method?

[Mickeymotormount]

Not sure about the 4L80E, but when I put a newer 4L60E (cable actuated)into my OBS, I had to modify the original linkage bracket mounted on the shift shaft of the transmission to get the column shifter to work properly. If the 80E is cable actuated, you may have to go this route as well.

[Hivelocit]

Not sure about the 4L80E, but when I put a newer 4L60E (cable actuated)into my OBS, I had to modify the original linkage bracket mounted on the shift shaft of the transmission to get the column shifter to work properly. If the 80E is cable actuated, you may have to go this route as well.

Thanks, I will be tackling that very shortly!

[Hivelocit]

Been busy adding all of the accessories: water pump, ps pump, starter, and etc. Finally starting to look like a complete engine. Next I will add the exh. manifolds, crossover, turbo, and down pipe. Picked up a harness from PSI Performance (great guy to deal with BTW)!

It's been a blessing having the front end off!


A little off topic, but I have used many methods for removing stubborn studs/bolts and I highly recommend this nifty tool from Titan Tools.

[Hivelocit]

Got the pipes and turbo mocked up today. These are used pipes I bought from a member here and everything fits pretty well. Need to rewrap the pipes and bolt everything up. Getting close....