Opinions on what 6.0L LQ9 into LSx UPGRADES to do??

[Gordonr1973]

Hi all;

as you can see from my other thread in "Engines" I was an idiot and got my cam dirty so now it needs to be torn down....so since it is apart anyways I am looking for ideas on what to put into it to get it up and going again with maybe a little more ooomph!

Been reading threads and doing lots of searches this weekend and this is my wish list so far:

- GM Hot Cam package (springs, rockers, rods) 12480033
- L92 heads
- DT headers
- LS2 or 3 (whichever works) used Intake manifold (can I use my LQ9 fuel rails on it or do I need new ones?? What about my old throttle body?)
- ECM tune

So, does anyone have any other ideas of combos to use or threads they know of where others have done this?

Is there another site where I can locate parts?

Really I'm looking for more knowledge than I have on this as I'm dropping of my block tomorrow to be torn down and cleaned.

Thanks!!

[skoffice]

IMO I would go with a bigger cam if you plan on using the L92 heads. They flow significantly more air than the cathedral port heads and you want to make full use of this flow. Also they require offset intake rockers that you would have to buy unless you find a set that comes with them. The manifold you would need would be the LS3 or any rectangle port manifold from the newer trucks that come with these heads. As for the fuel rails they are the same spacing, but I think the mounting points are different where the bolts go into the manifold so you would have to check on that. I guess the real question is how much money are you trying to spend and what are you tryin to accomplish with the engine?

[Gordonr1973]

Well, I do have a budget that I need to stick to. I just am thinking if it is apart anyways I should do something with it.

I don't really have a hp goal in mind, but am thinking that once it is done, that is the way it is going to stay for a long while, so I don't want to under-do it, nor over-do it either.

I would like to keep the mods as close to a $1,000 (plus the cost for headers) as possible, but would increase that if it was worth it. (I would then take the extra money out of my paint budget and go with a single color vs two-tone truck).

That's pretty much what I am thinking right now, thanks for the info so far!!

[swb85]

Originally Posted by Gordonr1973

I would like to keep the mods as close to a $1,000 (plus the cost for headers) as possible,

With that budget I would stick with the heads that are on it and get an LS6 intake, custom cam, good pushrods & springs and have a good tune done on it.

[Shon]

agree, you will not be happy with that cam selection with those heads, they require alot more air to be usedful.

[Shon]

heck, why even change the intake!?

[rcrahn]

Originally Posted by Shon

heck, why even change the intake!?

Good point Shon. I am pretty sure I read swapping to a car intake will lead to other issues (and added cost) with clearance on the serpentine belt setup running the accessories. Also, truck serpentine and car serpentine setups are not interchangable.
Granted, some brackets are available from places like Kwik to relocate items (such as AC,Alt) using a specific setup. This has been well documented in Car Craft and elsewhere, like the S&P catalogue. Kinda suprised no one has mentioned this already.

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...ide/index.html

Lastly, Hot Rod mag did a series on LQ9 upgrades.

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...ock/index.html

[Gordonr1973]

Originally Posted by rcrahn

Good point Shon. I am pretty sure I read swapping to a car intake will lead to other issues (and added cost) with clearance on the serpentine belt setup running the accessories. Also, truck serpentine and car serpentine setups are not interchangable.
Granted, some brackets are available from places like Kwik to relocate items (such as AC,Alt) using a specific setup. This has been well documented in Car Craft and elsewhere, like the S&P catalogue. Kinda suprised no one has mentioned this already.

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...ide/index.html

Lastly, Hot Rod mag did a series on LQ9 upgrades.

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...ock/index.html

Thanks, I had read the first article before and knew about the pulley clearance differences. DirtyDingo.com has one of the relocator mounts and belt that they sell, was going to look into that one to start with if I went that route.

That being said, I think it is a slippery slope once a person starts doing mods to the engine --- I don't know when to start or stop sometimes as I think "well, it's apart already so may as well do it now rather than do it over later on...." but for now I am going to stop with just a few changes and then decide from there.

I can do the Hot Cam kit now and put the motor back together, later on I can change heads and intake with the motor in the truck but I think I will probably be happy with the way it will run this summer with just a new cam and leave the mods at that point.

The second 6.0 liter article was good and I will read it over again tomorrow in detail so thanks for that link, I appreciate it!!

[rcrahn]

You are welcome.

Hot Rod did a follow-up in that series about swapping to the L92 heads and testing several different cams.

I have an LQ9/4L80E going into a 67 C20. I'm keeping it stock for now with the exception of headers and a tune.

Good luck with your project....

[68GMCCustom]

with that budget I'd keep the LQ9 heads and other then clean/rebuild your LQ9 as necessary with all new bearings and add that cost to the new cam, springs, pushrods, rockers?...then add all that to your tune cost and headers cost and ....oops your out of funds.

[Gordonr1973]

Now we have a good thread going....I love hearing different opinions on this stuff!!

I'm leaning towards the hot cam kit + rockers + rods + springs for now and waiting to see how it does with that prior to going with new heads...I'll get it reprogrammed too in February once all the details are finalized.

Not having a good website to look at that shows GM part number, a picture, and a description of the items I'm trying to find (total gasket kit for a motor rebuild) is driving me CRAZY!!!!

[68GMCCustom]

then may I suggest going to GM's GMPP website and downloading their latest catalog!
Then shop Summit, Jegs, Speedway, and others for the remaining parts.

[Gordonr1973]

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

then may I suggest going to GM's GMPP website and downloading their latest catalog!
Then shop Summit, Jegs, Speedway, and others for the remaining parts.

Thanks -- that was a good idea! I went over to the dealer this afternoon and bought the catalogue for $5 there. I did call GMPP this morning though and wasn't really inspired by the guys knowledge, but at least now I can reference my notes from the call to the catalogue I got.

[Shon]

truck intake is good up to 5800ish RPMs then the car intake takes over but now the big thing is to go to the TBSS/NNBS intake with a 90mm TB and picking up power.

[jkade]

I would stay away from that hot cam.... most people hate those things. There are a lot better cam choices out there. Keep your eye out on ls1 tech or performance trucks and pick up a used one like I did. Bought a comp 275HR-12 for $260 shipped with zo6 springs. Say goodbye to traction with the LQ9....lol. I love these motors!!!

[Gordonr1973]

Well there was another thread that I had read and the guy there was singing the praises of the hot cam kit....so if you can tell me more why you think the Comp Cam is better for these engines I'm going to listen cuz I have an order going into Summit tomorrow.

Would also like to hear more about the lifters and rods that would be needed too!

[swb85]

Originally Posted by Gordonr1973

Well there was another thread that I had read and the guy there was singing the praises og the hot cam kit....so if you can tell me more why you think the Comp Cam id better for these engines I'm going to listen cuz I have an order going into Summit tomorrow.

Would also like to her more about the lifters and rods that would be needed too!

GM's hotcam grind is ancient and the lobes and lift are pretty lazy compared to today's technology. You will make more power and have better idle quality with a modern grind with similar duration & more lift.

[jkade]

Originally Posted by swb85

GM's hotcam grind is ancient and the lobes and lift are pretty lazy compared to today's technology. You will make more power and have better idle quality with a modern grind with similar duration & more lift.

That is what I was talking about.

[jkade]

Originally Posted by Gordonr1973

Well there was another thread that I had read and the guy there was singing the praises of the hot cam kit....so if you can tell me more why you think the Comp Cam is better for these engines I'm going to listen cuz I have an order going into Summit tomorrow.

Would also like to hear more about the lifters and rods that would be needed too!

You stock lifters will be good and your rods as well. When you do a cam sway get some hardned push rods 7.400". If you don't get a huge cam you can run the less expensive yellow Z06 valve springs.

[Gordonr1973]

One other thing, I'm not looking for the thumpy sound when it will be idling...I have a truck that already does that.

[BR3W CITY]

aftermarket pushrods are hardened and have a thicker wall, reducing the chance of bending/kinking the rod under abuse.
If you want to avoid the real choppy sound at idle, look for a cam with a slightly higher LSA.

[Gordonr1973]

I don't know anything about cams....so if you guys could recommend some Comp Cams for me to look at, I'd appreciate it.

jkade has a 275THR-12....are there others to look at?

[Shon]

go out to Comp's website and they have a nice selection of truck cams.
I did not see what trans you were going to use, that will determine how 'big' you can go with without having to spend another chunk of cash. A TC is a nice thing to have with anythign over a 220 intake duration (at .50). but if you are a manual set up you can get by with some stuff. You will want PCM tuning, which I should be able to handle for you even thru mail order unless you have a local tuner than can do it.

I will be putting in the G3 XFI261 HR15 here: http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/c...csid=1097&sb=0
This will allow me to use stock TC and should add 20+RWHP after tuning. Will also be adding UD pulley and possibly shaving 317 heads for more compression to try and eek out 40-50more from all that....

[Gordonr1973]

I have a 4L80E (automatic).

[jkade]

Originally Posted by Gordonr1973

I have a 4L80E (automatic).

You probably want to use a stock converter unless your pockets are deep. A converter for a 4L80E is going to be upwards of $700 bucks. So you will need a small cam.