Yukon04

iTrader: (5)

I have been doing my research around the site seems as the Lq4 can do alot of wonderful things, Im seeing alot of people swapping to them, and I see alot of guys pushing boost though them with minimal to no damage to be cause, I want real facts on the Lq4 and its potential in stock form. I have one it has 118K miles everything on my truck is stock, Im wanting to take it to the next level with either a supercharger or turbocharger Im leaning more towards a turbo since it seems to be alot easier to work with. I know I should go in and change head gaskets, add studs, replace the oil pump, replace springs and push rods is there anything else that needs to be taken into consideration? Also could I ask what makes the a Lq4 different from a Lq9?

Pocket

iTrader: (17)

Turbos are not necessarily easier to work with in general. Id suggest spending some time with friends that have boosted vehicles and see how you like the headaches and upkeep of owing one before making a decision. For something thats bolt on and forget, you may want to consider a roots blower kit

For your parts list, why bother replacing the head gaskets if there isnt a problem with them?

Stock TTY bolts are proven to be strong into serious power. If you're the type to have the heads off often, go with studs, otherwise keep it OEM

Pushrods are a good idea, esp if you get into the upper RPMs. A bottom end bruiser can get away with the stockers. Bounce the limiter a few times and they're liable to bend/break. Sometimes they are required with different cams. If you're not using a well known off-the-shelf cam, its a good idea to measure before blindly ordering a size

Springs are a must, esp with a new cam

Difference from LQ4 to LQ9 are the pistons/rods. LQ4's are dished, 9's are flat tops with full floater pins from a LS2

1Bear

iTrader: (1)

I know it’s just semantics, but I get tickled when folks say that the LQ9 has parts from an LS2, when in reality you could say it’s the other way around beings they were around 3 years before the LS2 versions were released. It would be easier to say that they share comparable components in the rotating assembly, one exception being the crankshaft, as while it shares commonality with the iron truck engines, the car versions were gun-drilled. But indeed the main difference between a LQ4 and LQ9 is 6/10th’s compression and depending on the year model floating-pin rods, as the later model LQ4’s also started receiving the heavier duty rods.

TIM Z

iTrader: (12)

Look at my sig to see what a junkyard 40,000 mile LQ4 can do with stock long block. Dynoed on a humid 90+* day, drag raced on an 80* day. On a cool day she should put 600 to the wheels and is very reliable/docile to drive around town.


You just cant beat stock LS engines in any size.

smokeshow

iTrader: (16)

Hah thats sweet. Always funny to think, yeah it technically is a junkyard engine...mine too

Yukon04

iTrader: (5)

Wow Alot of great information posted thank to everyone who contributed, seems like I choose the best platform to work with ad have fun with seems my goal of 550hp should be a issue I'm already more than impressed with my suv just need to get swapped over to a 4l80 for a little extra insurance.