KILLERxSS

iTrader: (1)

well im thinking of swapping in a lq9 into my 02 SS, i spun a bearing so going for a cheap replacement to get her running and going to swap in a ls6 cam and mill the heads while its out anyways to get some power. very small budget so thats exactly what my setup is going to be (no 243, or bigger cam) i will build my ls1 slowly later since it has only 40k miles. my question is how much can i mill the heads if im going to run a ls6 cam which isnt a very big cam. going to run boost aswell so thats why i like the ls6 cam. i saw a build sheet for 600hp using ls6 cam,10psi boost , and 10.2 compression. so pretty much what im going for, any info would help. this would be my first engine swap/build

71 chevy

iTrader: (18)

iirc lq9 is already 9.9:1

I wouldnt mill it at all. just run it.

KILLERxSS

iTrader: (1)

ive been doing research and what i hear is going with a .04 gasket can do the trick, about 10.2 they say. would that be the way to go? i do have 241s that are from my ls1 but i heard the 317 flow better , thats an option too if i can get more feed back on that

71 chevy

iTrader: (18)

0.04 gasket puts you around 10.16

what gasket would it be because if you are on a budget i would use cheap gm mls gaskets and not worry about the extra 0.25 of a point increase in compression

241 heads would put you around 10.6:1 and imo that is too much for pump gas(Im assuming here) and that small cam.

KILLERxSS

iTrader: (1)

so what your saying is not use a .04 gasket ?... was also thinking of milling as well if need be.... 10.5 is the compression were i would want to be

71 chevy

iTrader: (18)

if you want to be at 10.5 just put the 241 heads on there and call it good.

and no, use a stock 0.051 or whatever it is gm mls gasket

KILLERxSS

iTrader: (1)

why do you recomend the .051 gasket?...... the only reason of not wanting to go with 241 is because 317 flow better pretty much 243s with bigger chamber thats why i wanted to lower the CR with the 317 for better flow over 241

71 chevy

iTrader: (18)

what have you heard or read that shows that the increased flow is worth any hp?

KILLERxSS

iTrader: (1)

just from researching threads and dyno numbers

71 chevy

iTrader: (18)

the fastest n/a car i can think of, martin at tick, had stock 241s and went 6.37
my car with stock 862s, which flow less than 241s, went 6.41 na

if you overthink this youll end up spending more than you need to.

KILLERxSS

iTrader: (1)

hmmmm you might be right .....might just throw on the 241s and see how it goes on the lq9 with boost

69Tinindian

Running lower compression with a little more boost will make more power than more compression and less boost. 1lb of boost 25-35hp......1 point of compression 5-10?

71 chevy

iTrader: (18)

good luck with the build

KILLERxSS

iTrader: (1)

ill probably be running 8 psi max so not going for high boost ....so thats why i wanted to lower compression to get a lil more bang, i know low compression is better for boost but not going to see alot of it, not anytime soon however

69Tinindian

Keep your heads. Keep stock compression. Boost makes you have big heads. My stock 5.3 stock heads 9.5:1 compression with a truck intake and z06 cam did 590whp at 10lbs on pump thru a th400. Youll be fine leave it alone and save your money. Higher compression youll have to run less boost to keep it from knocking

69Tinindian

My bad I thought you wanted higher compression I read it wrong

KILLERxSS

iTrader: (1)

thanks for your input! , those numbers i would be happy with, dont think i can run 10 psi unless i tightened the hell out of the belt or make a custom tensioner(which i kinda was looking to do due to belt slip) 8 rip upgrade is way too much, i have a p1sc procharger so 8 psi is around where its at.

69Tinindian

From your original post it sounds like your on a budget. Honestly if you pick up a lq9 throw the cam in it put some z06 spring in it and leave the heads on it untouched. The money youll spend to mill the heads a half point isnt worth 5hp. Run it stock on pump gas at about 8-10lbs and 13 degrees of timing and it will make power and live a long life. Save your money for your ls1

69Tinindian

If youre going to build a motor for boost a lq9 is far better than a ls1 in my option. Lq9 has ls2 dimple floating rods that are alot beefier than a ls1 press pin rod. There is alot more room for growth with a lq9. Put some rod bearing in your ls1 and sell it for 3500. How responsive is your motor with the blower?

KILLERxSS

iTrader: (1)

yeah i am in budget, still in college have other cars as dailys so i have been putting of spending thousands on rebuilding my ls1 but want to get my baby up and running so thats where im at. milling it i can do since they have a machine shop on campus for engineers but i guess not worth the work as you said. i dont see the harm of going to a .04 gasket since engine is out, and lower CR that way cheap and easy. will be getting the springs, do i need timing chain lifters etc if going to ls6 cam or will springs only do?