lsxfirstgen

im trying to figure out which ls engine would the best of the iron blocks for a truck conversion. 5.3, 6.0 and from which year. prefferably a year year with aluminum heads? i thought the earlier had iron heads?

Gen3Benz

iTrader: (4)

99-00 iron head
01+ alum head
If you can find an LQ9 for a good price, go with it.

Go with the 6.0, you can always change the heads later.

Jimbo1367

Here is a great deal. IMO 6.0L LS3/L92 heads STOCK with VVT. keep VVT or delete it. Its still alot cheaper than buying a LQ4 or LQ9 and then buying L92 heads.

I am in the process of buying one .


I've seen three listed from $1400- $2200.00

lsxfirstgen

i guess my other question would be what is and lq9, lq4, etc.

Jimbo1367

LQ4 6.0L iron alum. heads. dish pistons. APPR. 9.5:1 CR LQ9 is flattop pistons. APPROX 10.5:1 CR. Compression ratios are not exact but clse. LY6 is the LQ4 replacement w/9.6:1CR with L92 heads and VVT

Jimbo1367

iron block aluminum heads********

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

the 5.3 are usually lower price. the 6.0 have more potential n/a
only 99-00 6.0 were available with cast iron heads and are not as common as regular 5.3 or 6.0 lq4 which come with alum heads.

pillagenburn

iTrader: (2)

the LY6 is the best bang for your buck, period. You can pick them up for $1500-2k and they have L92 heads from the get-go as well as forged rods and run a low CR if you want to boost. The VVT is a HUGE plus and is well worth it, to me.

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

they dont technically have forged rods. they have powdered metal rods.the material of the rods is the same as any other gm service engine
excluding the ls7,ls9, and lsa

mr220v

So are you trying to say that the ly6 uses a cast rod?

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

powdered metal construction.

pillagenburn

iTrader: (2)

So wait, when the GM spec sheet says "Forged Powdered Metal Rods" ... they aren't actually forged metal rods? Did they skip the forging process or something and instead just welded a few pieces of metal together and bolt it to a crankshaft? Because if they did I'd be very upset.

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

by forged they mean, the mfg process. the rods are made under pressure.
but the material is not like what is used in a hbeam or a carillo or callies rod.

V8Rumble

iTrader: (9)

The rods are made from a metal powder that is poured into the molds. The powder in the molds is then subjected to significant heat & pressure - enough so that the metal powder essentially melts together & becomes a piston rod.

Don't worry about 'em, they're strong enough to handle a good bit of power - plenty of people here on this board have tested 'em...

pillagenburn

iTrader: (2)

I was being sarcastic - it's the fact is that they're forged.... even if theyre the same metal is of no consequence, a forged piece is going to be significantly stronger than a cast piece.

I guess that's why people call them "the good rods" - It's no H-beam or callies more than likely, but it'll handle enough for 90% of the performance-minded population I'm sure...... and it comes on the motor in stock form

what are those rods good up to anyway?

jostang50

iTrader: (21)

i'm using a lq4 on my car and might use the 241 heads instead if i dont boost it. or might just stick with my set up right now and just sell my lq4 and 241 heads.

whatsa347

iTrader: (6)

Not to hijack this thread or anything, How much hp can these blocks take?

ramdaspadhye

iTrader: (3)

If a stock 5.3 can handle 700hp+ at the crank with cast rods, I think those powdered ones should be able to do the same

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

im letting em have it with 7000rpm shifts and 580hp and anohter 150-200 wet shot on top of that.

Dewey

iTrader: (1)

sorry this is off-topic but my 99 5.3 is iron block aluminum heads.