Found a cheap LSx. Either a 4.8 or a 5.3 - owner isn't sure. He knows it's not the 6.0 that he wanted, and is selling cheap. Challenge cheap. The catch is, No wiring or ECU. I'm pretty sure it had the coil packs - I need to check though.
So, what is the cheap way to get one of these running? Carb and HEI? Will the LSx even accomodate a distributor? Junkyard parts to replace what's missing?
Thoughts?
megasquirt would probably be cheapest.
If you go the carb route, you need to buy an expensive intake manifold and an electronic ignition controller (MSD or similar).
Or you could probably get a wiring harness and ECU from a junkyard pretty cheap.
The carb intake can be had with the MSD box to run the coil-on-plug for $800ish new.
There are at least two V8 Cash for Clunkers that are in the salvage yard that would help the brother out.
I'd be tempted to go with this: GMPP LS3 Controller Kit - Contains Pre-Programmed ECU, Harness, Sensors. You'll need a throttle body but they're not that expensive. You'll probably have to retune the ECU but I would far rather have a high-end factory ECU than a carb.
Not Challenge cheap, but better.
Wow! Nice kit Keith! I have an LQ4 sitting in the garage with this same dilema. I have both the drive by wire and cable throttle bodies. Do you know if GMPP makes the same kit without the drive by wire w/ gas pedal? (not being lazy here... I just couldn't find one on the Pace site.)
Even with this kit, mine could be "Challenge Cheap" if the car could be zeroed out!
Check the usual LS sites. . . .
Have seen truck stuff (4.8 and 5.3) for cheap. Wiring <$100 and ECU ~50-75
I have to admit I'm having daydreams of the 4.8/4L65 in an early C4 for a DD. 285hp/295tq, 5500rpm shifts and ruh-Tardedly good fuel economy.
Sofa King, the LS1 version of that kit was ridiculously expensive - something like double the price. I'd go with the drive by wire. Heck, it's easier stringing a wire than it is to figure out a cable setup anyhow. I like me some electrons. We've used that LS3 kit in a couple of cars and it's super-easy. Everything's labeled and simply plugs in, the ECU only needs power and ground.
it can't be done. stick with the 5.7L vortec Gen 1 that's already got your name on it. it comes with an intake, carb, NIB aluminum water pump, and an HEI distributor. 
Angry's right. You can help your friend out by shipping that not a 6L to me for proper disposal.
They do sell belt drive kits for running an HEI off of the front belts. You could 'challenge' one of those together pretty easily.
AngryCorvair wrote: it can't be done. stick with the 5.7L vortec Gen 1 that's already got your name on it. it comes with an intake, carb, NIB aluminum water pump, and an HEI distributor.
One does not negate the other...
Thanks Keith! Gee "only needs power and grounds" ... I might almost be able to handle that!
Keith wrote: I'd be tempted to go with this: GMPP LS3 Controller Kit - Contains Pre-Programmed ECU, Harness, Sensors. You'll need a throttle body but they're not that expensive. You'll probably have to retune the ECU but I would far rather have a high-end factory ECU than a carb. Not Challenge cheap, but better.
How tuneable is the controller? Does it come with tuning software?
It doesn't come with tuning software, but it's the standard GM ECU that's been well and truly hacked by guys such as HPTuners. On a stock LS3, it's a complete sweetheart with the out-of-the-box tune.
DILYSI Dave wrote:AngryCorvair wrote: it can't be done. stick with the 5.7L vortec Gen 1 that's already got your name on it. it comes with an intake, carb, NIB aluminum water pump, and an HEI distributor.One does not negate the other...
Twin V8-powered challenge car in the future????
Keith wrote: I'd be tempted to go with this: GMPP LS3 Controller Kit - Contains Pre-Programmed ECU, Harness, Sensors. You'll need a throttle body but they're not that expensive. You'll probably have to retune the ECU but I would far rather have a high-end factory ECU than a carb. Not Challenge cheap, but better.
Note that all of these parts are standard GM parts you'd get if you raided a wrecked vehicle, except that the harness is repackaged to be more user friendly. For what it is, that is a great price, but not necessarily the "cheap" way to do it.
The cheapest way to do it is to find a wrecked truck with the same/similar engine and get as much as possible off of it (sensors, wiring, computer, air intake, etc.). The harness will need to be stripped down, picked through, and cleaned up, but otherwise will work fine. You might need to have the ECM reprogrammed to function similar to the ECM above, to ignore all the other "stuff" it expects to see on the CAN bus, but that's a pretty simple fix if you or someone you know is handy with flashing ECMs. This is a lot more work than above, but it's cheaper....if you're a good deal hunter you can probably get everything for <$300 instead of $900.
Bryce
DILYSI Dave wrote:AngryCorvair wrote: it can't be done. stick with the 5.7L vortec Gen 1 that's already got your name on it. it comes with an intake, carb, NIB aluminum water pump, and an HEI distributor.One does not negate the other...
oh. in that case, bryce is right on the money -- go to pull-a-part on "half price harness" day...
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