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Poor Man's LS2 - For five grand...

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Old 01-03-2010, 06:20 PM
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Thumbs up Poor Man's LS2 - For five grand...

OK- so I've been doing some research on a SBC build that will net 400+whp NA on a $5,000 budget. Some say LS1, some say LQ4/9, some say just muster up the extra cash and buy an LS2. I'd love to hear some head/cam/tune builds that meet exceed these numbers and were build on a budget.
Old 01-03-2010, 06:56 PM
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my LQ4 was built for around that range...
Old 01-03-2010, 06:57 PM
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your goal is pretty doable. my build is as follows and should pass the 400rwhp pretty easily

new lq9 longblock= $2600
243's with a VJ and bowl work=$1300
cam+valvetrain=$1000
Old 01-03-2010, 07:22 PM
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The LQ route sounds like a good way to go! Any more LQ guys care to chime in?
Old 01-03-2010, 07:30 PM
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LS6 with cam and springs.

I made 404hp and 375 trq.
Old 01-03-2010, 07:38 PM
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Stock shortblock LS1 w/ cam and supporting mods should get you where you need to go.. keeping it simple.
Old 01-03-2010, 08:00 PM
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i have an lq forged motor built for boost

used block 350
all machine work $1000
forged crank $900
forged rods $500
forged pistons $800
ARP studs everywhere $800
gaskets $350
bearings $200
now add heads cam lifters oil pump chain pushrods valvesprings etc etc it get pricey, but for the money you can have a badass motor!
Old 01-03-2010, 09:19 PM
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just look at my sig
Old 01-03-2010, 09:51 PM
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2000 truck LQ4 925.00 with harness and ecm
cam and springs 700.00
Dyno tune and wiring 1000

413 at the tire


If I would do it all over again I would have gone with a carb
Old 01-03-2010, 10:46 PM
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Thats an easy goal to hit, using an LQ4 iron block would be the cheapest route.

My first setup was a stock 01 LS1 block, PRC 5.3 stg 2.5 heads, a 226/232 .609/.604 113+2 cam, a ported FAST 92 and NW 92mm TB, headers and all the usual bolt on stuff and hit 443rwhp.

My new setup uses a forged shortblock which you dont need but its stock size. In that block I use the same heads(milled to 58cc chambers and 11.5:1 compression) with a 235/240 .620/.609 112+4 cam and im running a 9" rearend and chromoly driveshaft instead of the 10 bolt and aluminum driveshaft and made 468rwhp and 435rwtq.
Old 01-04-2010, 05:16 PM
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Thanks for all of the feedback guys. I think I am going to go with the LQ block to get started. Also, this motor is going into a Nissan, so I am going to need to come up with a grocery list of accessories to get it ready to run.

Is there a budget-minded accessory kit available (i.e. alternator, pumps, etc) or is it best to buy parts individually?
Old 01-04-2010, 06:45 PM
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I've done 400rwhp in cars with a cam and longtubes for years. It doesn't take a full long block build to do that. Old SBC guys just aren't used to making that much power so easy.

A stock LS1 short block, stock 243/LS6 castings, the right cam, right exhaust setup, and the right tuner will make 420-440rwhp all day depending on the drivetrain.
Old 01-04-2010, 07:55 PM
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Originally Posted by zangiefisgod
Thanks for all of the feedback guys. I think I am going to go with the LQ block to get started. Also, this motor is going into a Nissan, so I am going to need to come up with a grocery list of accessories to get it ready to run.

Is there a budget-minded accessory kit available (i.e. alternator, pumps, etc) or is it best to buy parts individually?
You need to check into the conversions/hybrids forum as well...
Old 01-06-2010, 01:23 AM
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can any of you guys tell me which rods are better the lq4 or ls2 or are they the same thing?
Old 01-06-2010, 02:04 AM
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Shouldn't the extra weight of an iron block be of greater concern in a Nisson VS (assuming here) the much greater front end weight of a Camaro/Pontiac F-Body than the Nissan?
Old 01-07-2010, 04:02 PM
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Originally Posted by 99 Blue Bird
can any of you guys tell me which rods are better the lq4 or ls2 or are they the same thing?
2005+ LQ4's has the same crank and rods as the LS2. That includes full floating rods.
Old 01-07-2010, 04:40 PM
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id do it with the LS1, you can do some crazy stuff with that kind of money and definately hit that number easy!
Old 01-08-2010, 02:24 AM
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Originally Posted by DarkJuggalo
id do it with the LS1, you can do some crazy stuff with that kind of money and definately hit that number easy!
I agree, save the extra money for supporting stuff.
Old 01-08-2010, 04:52 PM
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Correct me if I am wrong the iron block is 65#s heaver than the alum.
Old 01-08-2010, 04:57 PM
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CALLING ALL STOCK-BLOCK LS1, LQ4 & LQ9 MEMBERS...

Anyone pushing 400whp+ with an NA stock block, post your heads/cam/intake/exhaust setup along with dyno numbers! I'd love to get some ideas of what parts to start buying


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