Which LS Engine?

[SierraMtns]

I finally have enough money saved up for a LS engine. At first I was looking for a LQ9 but our local GM recycler won't guarantee its a LQ9 and say it could be a LQ4. So now I am looking at LQ4 and then doing a couple changes to get a more HP.

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/eng...-makes-464-hp/

My question is should I just stick with a LQ4 or should I try and save a little more and do a LS2?

Also, about trans. Recycler said I need a 4l80e in the 67 but I was thinking a 4l60e would be strong enough.

Any help would be appreciated..

Thanks

[mongocanfly]

I think you'd be very pleased with either a stock lq4 or lq9...but a good cam will sure wake up a lq4...as far as trans go the 4l80 is better than a 4l60.....4l80=turbo400...4l60=700r4

[slowcpe]

Depends on what you are wanting to do. I picked up a low-mileage LQ4, then a set of 243 heads and will be running a nice size cam. Should be a nice little combo for the money.

I second the 4l80e for the trans. I had one that came with the LQ4 but I sold for a t56.

[mongocanfly]

The LQ9 applications are as follows:
2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade*
2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade EXT*
2003-2006 Cadillac Escalade ESV*
2003-2007 Chevrolet Silverado SS*
2004-2005 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Vortec HO Edition*
2006-2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra VortecMAX Option

the PCM that come with the engine will have the VIN programmed in it...8th digit..will tell you.
V=4.8L LR4
Z=5.3L L59 Flex Fuel
T=5.3L LM7
U=6.0L LQ4
N=6.0L LQ9
G=8.1L L18

also a lq4 has a dish piston and lq9 has flat top...use bore scope thru plug hole to tell..

also came in these trucks...

[SierraMtns]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

The LQ9 applications are as follows:
2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade*
2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade EXT*
2003-2006 Cadillac Escalade ESV*
2003-2007 Chevrolet Silverado SS*
2004-2005 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Vortec HO Edition*
2006-2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra VortecMAX Option

the PCM that come with the engine will have the VIN programmed in it...8th digit..will tell you.
V=4.8L LR4
Z=5.3L L59 Flex Fuel
T=5.3L LM7
U=6.0L LQ4
N=6.0L LQ9
G=8.1L L18

also a lq4 has a dish piston and lq9 has flat top...use bore scope thru plug hole to tell..

also came in these trucks...

So I got a call from the recycler I am using and he said he just got in a LQ9. Said it is in a 02 Chevy EXT SUV with 120k miles.

BUT I can't find anything online about that SUV coming with a LQ9.

I am going down this afternoon to check it out.

SO I want a N on the 8th diget on the VIN of the vehicle?

[SierraMtns]

Originally Posted by slowcpe

Depends on what you are wanting to do. I picked up a low-mileage LQ4, then a set of 243 heads and will be running a nice size cam. Should be a nice little combo for the money.

I second the 4l80e for the trans. I had one that came with the LQ4 but I sold for a t56.

So would you get a LQ4 over a LQ9 if it hand less miles? The guy said he has a couple LQ4 in stock right now.

I will get a 4l80 trans

[mongocanfly]

unless it had over 200k miles I wouldn't worry about the mileage. .obviously you'd want the least mileage but these LS engines seem to last forever for the most part...I had 285k on my 99 and never turned a screw on it except for a water pump when I sold it..
and given a choice I would go 4l80..
and yes "N" in the vin is lq9
as far as I know those listed vehicles are what had lq9.
your only talking about 20hp difference between a lq4 and lq9...

that 2002 ext suv is a trailblazer i think...never had a lq9..those came with 5.3s

[69gmcc10]

Like anything worth putting this kind of consideration into, buy the best that you can afford. If you want an LQ9 be patient, do your homework and get an LQ9. If you are like me and you settle for an LQ4 and don't get the LQ9, no matter how good LQ4 turns out, you will always wonder in the back of your mind if you should have waited for a LQ9.

LQ9s have better heads, better cam, and an LS is about 100lbs lighter than a SBC and an LQ9 is about 100lbs lighter than an LQ4... If that matters to you.

[69gmcc10]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

that 2002 ext suv is a trailblazer i think...never had a lq9..those came with 5.3s

Trailblazer SS had an LS2, but the Trailblazer EXT is an LM4 aluminum 5.3L (Dont mistake it for the L33) it's just an aluminum blocked lm7 not a 5.3 HO.

keep an eye on those vin numbers! "N" in the 8th position of the vin and even then before I paid for it I would try to get a magnet to stick to the block, sneaky junkers!

[mongocanfly]

how you figure a lq9 weighs 100 lbs less than a lq4?..its the same engine..only the 99-2000 lq4 had iron heads..after 2000 they had aluminum heads

[slowcpe]

Originally Posted by 69gmcc10

Like anything worth putting this kind of consideration into, buy the best that you can afford. If you want an LQ9 be patient, do your homework and get an LQ9. If you are like me and you settle for an LQ4 and don't get the LQ9, no matter how good LQ4 turns out, you will always wonder in the back of your mind if you should have waited for a LQ9.

LQ9s have better heads, better cam, and an LS is about 100lbs lighter than a SBC and an LQ9 is about 100lbs lighter than an LQ4... If that matters to you.

Only difference in the LQ9 vs the 4 is the pistons which yields more compression. Heads and block are the same. You are thinking the LS2

[69gmcc10]

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

how you figure a lq9 weighs 100 lbs less than a lq4?..its the same engine..only the 99-2000 lq4 had iron heads..after 2000 they had aluminum heads

arent lq9s also aluminum?

[mongocanfly]

yes ...lq9 has aluminum heads..

[69gmcc10]

Originally Posted by slowcpe

Only difference in the LQ9 vs the 4 is the pistons which yields more compression. Heads and block are the same. You are thinking the LS2

ah, I was under the assumption they also had an aluminum block, like the 5.3l highout put variant L33.

oops!

[mongocanfly]

"and even then before I paid for it I would try to get a magnet to stick to the block, sneaky junkers!"

lq9 has steel block also..

[mongocanfly]

bottom line. .i dont think you'd be disappointed with either engine...most people ask crazy prices for a lq9 ..I've seen em ask 500-1000 $ more for a lq9..remember just 20hp or so diff....a good tuner can make 20hp with a dyno tune...the got me nearly 40 extra hp on the dyno with my lq9..said he could go up a little more if I wanted. .I've got 299.3 rwhp and 345.8 rwtq with a stock lq9 with headers

[tinydb84]

I wouldn't split hairs between the two. I would pick which ever one is the better deal.

With the money you save on the LQ4 you can send your heads out for CNC porting and have them mill the heads to make up the compression difference while they are there for just a few bucks. https://www.texas-speed.com/p-1172-p...-castings.aspx

[Clyde65]

Look for a ly6 with a 6l80 from 2009-2012. A little more $ but well worth it!!


Also, don't discount a 5.3! A 5.3 with a cam, headers and some spring will get you around 400hp! Slap a 6l80 on it and you have a nice cruiser!

[SierraMtns]

Well I got great news guy.

It is a LQ9 and its still in the 2002 caddie. I checked the VIN and the 8-digit is a N. Everything is stock. Even stock air box and the oil on the dip stick looked clean and golden in color. I was amazed how clean the oil looked. I am getting the engine, harness and ecu from the caddie.

The engine still needs to be pulled and they are going to do a compression test and run it for me. The tranny will be a 4l80e trans from a 2500 2-wheel drive truck. I got everything for a great price.

[mongocanfly]

NOW THATS WHAT IM TALKING BOUT!!!!!...let the fun begin...
don't forget the maf...and I think you'll need the controller and wiring for the trans..but I'm not sure about the auto wiring setup..all mine have sticks...

[SierraMtns]

Will I run into issues bolting the 4l80 to the LQ9?

It looks like they never came together from the factory.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/gener...-question.html

[mongocanfly]

the bell bolt pattern is the same...I'm not sure about the converter bp..

[mongocanfly]

if I'm reading it right the l80 tc won't bolt to the l60 flexplate...you may need the l80 flexplate and a spacer...you might want to start a new thread on the tranny..clinebarger can tell you all you need to know..my googly keeps locking up on me so I'm having research difficulties. .http://www.ls1truck.com/forums/front...rans-swap.html

[mongocanfly]

copied this. from above link...
We chose a Yank torque converter from*www.converter.cc*for this application. The larger makers of converters can usually adapt the front cover of the converter to meet your needs. In this case, we ordered a standard HD 80E 2800 stall converter.*This means, you must replace the factory 5.3L flex plate with a flex plate and spacer from any 2002+ ¾ HD GM truck that originally came with a 4L80e transmission.The space allows the factory 80e flex plate to have the correct offset so that is lines up with the starter. Plus, the converter for this application has 6 converter bolts, so does the flex plate.Since we have a spacer between the flex plate and engine, longer bolts will also have to be ordered.

[mongocanfly]

and another.....
https://ls1tech.com/forums/automatic...eded-4l60e-4l80e-swap.html