NewSpin

I'm looking at an LQ9 for my 71 Nova, seller says it ran when pulled, and that it is indeed the high output 6.0 from a Cadillac Escalade (LQ9) with about 42,000 miles when pulled. The price is very right so I'm going to try and buy it regardless, but my question is how feasible is 500hp at the crank from this engine with nothing but a carb (750 Holley most likely), intake (Edelbrock or Holley dual plane), MSD 6LS, and a cam/spring swap (likely a Comp .550 lift range, .230-.240 duration with a street friendly LSA)?
Hot Rod Magazine mad 483hp/450ft-lbs on a similarly spec'd LQ4 (9.4:1 comp) with only a .525 lift cam.
Will the extra 0.6 points of compression and the bigger cam be enough for 17 more horsepower?

Would having flat tops vs the small dish in the LQ4 also help flame travel etc?

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

I think 500 fwhp is very feasible with that setup

Doug G

LQ9 with a cam.....500 easy

speedtigger

iTrader: (16)

You can reach your 500+ HP goal no problems, but be careful with the camshaft. The LQ9 does not have a ton a room for piston-to-valve clearance. Fortunately, it does not take a large camshaft to make the kind of power you are shooting for.

How is the car setup?

NewSpin

It's a 71 Nova, going to be kinda pro-touring, already have full Chassisworks front suspension and working on the rear. Still has leafs and CalTracs in back (used to be a drag car) but it'll have a matching Chassisworks four link when this engine goes in with a T56.
Full six point cage, stripped, subframe connectors, Wilwoods, etc.
I will eventually be building it into an 11:1 408 with dual quads (shooting for 650hp at the crank and lots of torque, still researching but it's a long ways off) and be using it for everything from local autocross to maybe some big road course action and 1/4 mile too. Considering Silver State but we'll see...

NewSpin

I wanted to start simple with a cam swap though to just get a bit more power out of the stock long block and use that to dial in the rest of the car while I save for the big build.

speedtigger

iTrader: (16)

Whar rear gear?

NewSpin

It has a 350/th350 right now but I'll be putting in a T56 with the 6.0
3.70s in the rear

speedtigger

iTrader: (16)

Sounds like fun. When I first built my car it was an LQ9 with a dual plane manifold and a 750 Holley. It was very strong. It ran 11.70s at #3700+. I was shocked at how strong it was for as simple of a combo it was.

NewSpin

My car is about 3000lbs so I'm pretty excited haha
my goal is to run high 10s (even a 10.99 just so I can say I can run a 10, but if it gives more I'll gladly take it haha) and basically be right at the point where I'd need an NHRA license or get kicked out haha
I've realized actually the goals I set for the car with the power and gearing and handling end up being pretty spot on with a C6 Z06, would be awesome if I end up meeting them all.