2005 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP LS4 DoD 4T65E TAPShift powertrain swap into a Pontiac Fiero
PAGE 6
Borrowed an LS2 intake to try on this LS4 and here is what I found...
The LS2 intake's
throttle body inlet is molded too low and won't clear the oil pressure sending
unit; but even if that were removed and the boss for it machined down,
measurements indicate the intake will still not clear the DoD electrical plug.
So I turned the LS2 intake around to see if it would fit the other way and, yes
it will -- at least bolt right down on the heads and clear the oil pressure
sender and DoD plug... BUT...
Once the water pump
housing is installed it won't clear a critical part of the housing -- one of the
coolant passages. Here is a comparison picture between the LS2 and LS4 intake...
As you can see the
LS2 intake has a much larger throttle body opening than the LS4. However, it's
unclear at this time if the LS4 needs this large of a throttle body. I'm sure
the LS4 would benefit from a larger throttle body and throttle body opening but
exactly what size is optimal is still unknown. Also, the factory LS4 throttle
body and fuel rails will not work with the LS2 intake.
Based on the test fits I have performed, I have determined that it might be
possible to modify an AFTERMARKET cast-aluminum LSx intake to work on this
engine and still have the throttle body facing the correct way. But prices for
such intakes range from $400 and up, plus the factory LS4's fuel rails or
throttle body may not be compatible. So extra costs will be associated with the
upgrade. Assuming power gains from such an upgrade will justify the costs.
Finished the motor mounts and brackets so here are the pictures:
Not pictured is the one bracket that had to be welded to the cradle for the right rear transmission mount. It did work out that the other half of this RR trans mount bracket was able to be bolted directly to the cradle so that will make it easier to remove and install the mount in this location. As with previous swaps utilizing this mounting design, I am using OE-Replacement 84-87 Fiero front cradle mount bushings for my rubber mounts. They aren't quite as firm as poly mounts but I believe they are just about as strong. The benefit of using the rubber vs. the poly is better noise and vibration isolation.
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