LS4 performance

Neoatheist said:

Damn! That turbo kit looks good. But that price tag is scary as hell. Besides, not sure I want to give my transmission any more incentive to die prematurely.

Click to expand...

^^^ I second this...

Not to mention that upon looking at the installation instructions for that turbo kit, there's a few things I didn't care for regarding the process:
1) converting the washer fluid bottle into a methanol bottle...
2) Mounting the ECM directly near the turbocharger - NOT a good thing for the ECM as a result of all the heat being generated from the turbo. I had enough of a nightmare replacing starters every 5-6 months on the '92 Typhoon I had, I sure as hell wouldn't wanna have to keep paying $300 for a new ECM every so often.
3) Mounting the TCM -and I think the ECM also - to the side of the frame, in what appears to be the inside of the wheel well. Maybe it's just me, but I just can't see that being good for either of those modules being that close to not only the extreme heat, but being exposed to the elements and water like that just can't be good...

Here's the install instructions for the turbo kit:
http://www.cartuning.ca/products/wbody/cartuning_ls4_installation.pdf
-Page 30, step 47 shows where the ECM and TCM's are mounted.
And also page 16, step 27 is a major LOLz... Just take a look at what they tell you for the low oil level indicator connector... :dunno::WTF:

I wonder if anyone has actually done this kit... I'd be interested in hearing the results and the downfalls of this on these transverse axle'd V8 W-bodies are.

Ok, before this thread gets totally derailed with all the talk of heavily modifying a 3.5, can we please keep this an LS4 Performance-specific thread please??? Not trying to steal your thunder or push you out Whoaweezy, but try and keep your specific stuff to its related thread(s), start a new thread specific to your build for others to follow, or section of the forum. This IS the section for the 5.3L LS4 bro...

And now to get back onto the topic of LS4 performance: a few days after Christmas, someone on the LS4Nation page on Facebook had made a rather shocking discovery regarding an LS4 powered car - an '05 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP that was for sale on Craigslist in the Battle Creek area of Michigan.

Now for the last year or so, a lot of the LS4 guys have been wondering about doing a supercharger on the LS4, with no real answers or possible outcomes. Not the right kind of system, no real room to fit, etc., etc... Now what this one person discovered about this particular GP GXP, was exactly that... This car had a supercharger on it!!! It is an actual GM unit, but it was custom made for the LS4 application using 2 main components from 2 different GM superchargers, along with a custom snout for the throttle body and a new drive pulley to be used in the rear for the LS4. But it has been done, and I wanted to share this with you guys.

Now be forewarned, this is NOT a readily available unit for these cars, it was custom made, and it is more than likely going to cost as much as - if not MORE than a turbo kit for the LS4... But for those of you who are interested in the details, follow this thread, or the thread I am going to make specifically for this topic. This post in this thread will be for the general thoughts on it. More specific thiughts, comments and whatnot should be posted in the specific thread for it...

So ladies and gentlemen, a present to you, a little taste of what a supercharged LS4 is... Anyone care to guess what the 2 main parts to the supercharger itself are, or where they came from???

Whoaweezy said:

Your cool thanks for your help and input

Sent from my LG-H631 using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

:WTF: Was that directed at me bro??? If so, no need to be a douche about it. I am not trying to be one to or towards you, or your idea or what you want to do for your build... I honestly think that what you are trying to do for your drive train is a great idea. Being a pioneer for something major for that motor is great, and I think you will get a good following for it if it all works out. And just so you know, I am actually following your thread and progress to see how it all comes out.

However, you are dealing with the 3.5L V6. It is nowhere near the same set-up, internals or anything to the LS4. I see what you are doing, and trying to base your ideas off how the turbo kit on the LS4 would apply to the 3.5L, but asking specific details about your internals and stuff should be done in the main 8th Gen Engine Performance section, or start your own thread for it. Asking about which internals and stuff you will need for your 3.5 in the section for the 5.3L LS4 guys is derailing the thread for the rest of those interested in the specifics for the LS4.

And further more, I personally don't know anything about the 3.5L, as it is not my current platform of engine. If I DID know, then I would reply directly to your thread about your build, and tell you the answers in which you seek.

Again, I am NOT trying to be an asshole about the whole thing, just merely asking you to please keep your specific questions regarding your motor out of the LS4 thread. I have NO problem with you, or that you are trying to get ideas from how the LS4 turbo system is run and piped for you to help get your build off the ground. Like I said earlier, it is awesome that you are pioneering something new for your platform. But I personally don't know the 3.5L like I do the 5.3L. So therefore, all the speak of the 3.5L is basically Greek to me.

Whoaweezy said:

No i wasn't being rude lol i was saying thank you for your help u made me do alot of thinking for this project is all i was saying

Sent from my LG-H631 using Tapatalk

Click to expand...

Oh, okay. And yes, undertaking a massive task like this would do that to a guy!

Another thought to consider in how your piping and whatnot for your turbo would sit in yours: check out pics of how everything sits on the LS4 when it's in the car, under the hood. Then compare under your actual hood to see where things would need to sit, what you would need to modify, etc., etc...

Also, see if you can get a spare set of exhaust manifolds from your car - another 3.5L, to be able to start any kind of fabrication work for the flange of the turbo on a crossover pipe, new downpipe shape and position and how it would need to run and connect with the rest of your exhaust... getting the ideas and basics off the LS4's system is a good way to get a basic idea for yours. But I would actually want to look more at my own set-up for where and how things would need to be run, where things would need to sit and so on.

Or if you can pick up a spare motor from a wrecked car for fairly cheap, even better way to get a lot of your custom fab work done... this way with a spare motor out of the car and in the open, it will give you the room to move around it and have more access to parts to remove, modify, and bolt back on to see if your measurements and fitment is correct or not. Not only that, but would also be a prime time to rebuild the new (spare) motor to the new internals and stuff you may need or will want... nothing like having a freshly redone engine to.have all the new stuff bolted to and ready to drop in when the time is right...

Doing this with the 3.5 specifically - especially when it's in the car, will give you a lot more specifics for your application than trying to base it all off another platform. It may be close and similar in many ways, areas and aspects, but different just because of your motor and how it all.sits under your hood.

Just some thoughts and ideas from an outside angle... Again, good luck with your build man. Keeping an eye out and wishing you luck on it! And it's all good man. No stress!!!
k3: :beer: