What is the best truck ls motor to use?
01-29-2012, 01:07 PM
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What is the best truck ls motor to use? Hey guys I just bought a new toy 1955 chevy step side truck with a Camaro front clip am wanting to go with an Lsx motor like am doing in my 69 Camaro but I was wanting to go with one out of a truck/suv. Were their not so high on price an can find them easier but what one would be the best choice? I know there is the 5.3l (327). An the 6.0l. But I don't know the code names like lq9 I think. An idk what would be the best one it's just a drive nothing big so the motor don't need to be a killer lol thats what the Camaro is for! Any help would be great guys!!! Jason
01-29-2012, 01:52 PM
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Vortec_engine
Depending what transmission you plan on running stay away from the 99-00 LQ4 engines, the crankshaft is longer so you cant run a t56.
lots of people making plenty of power off the lq4, the lq9 cost more and puts out more but if your swapping heads and cams etc. they dont seem to be worth the premium.
Depending what transmission you plan on running stay away from the 99-00 LQ4 engines, the crankshaft is longer so you cant run a t56.
lots of people making plenty of power off the lq4, the lq9 cost more and puts out more but if your swapping heads and cams etc. they dont seem to be worth the premium.
01-29-2012, 01:55 PM
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You can do a Gen III or Gen IV the Gen IV have a 6.2L motor as well.
Just get an LQ4 6.0L or LQ9 6.0L. The LQ4 6.0L is more common and is the lower CR version of the LQ9 which has flat top's. LQ4 run 99-2007. The LQ9 started in 02-2007. Look for 2500/3500HD's and full size vans for the LQ4. THe LQ9's were in the Sivlerado SS as well a few other special models and the Caddy Escalades.
Just get an LQ4 6.0L or LQ9 6.0L. The LQ4 6.0L is more common and is the lower CR version of the LQ9 which has flat top's. LQ4 run 99-2007. The LQ9 started in 02-2007. Look for 2500/3500HD's and full size vans for the LQ4. THe LQ9's were in the Sivlerado SS as well a few other special models and the Caddy Escalades.
01-29-2012, 02:04 PM
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well, the LQ4 is gonna be the cheapest, widest availability, and a great potential motor for such a thing.
That is.. next to the 5.3 in cost and availability, but without boost.. you're better off with the larger displacment.
LQ9 is a "better" option for naturally aspirated applications, but you can pay as much as 2x the cost of an LQ4 for one. They have flat top pistons so they have a compression closer to 10 (LQ4 is 9.5) and about 45 more FWHP stock.
A cam can wake both motors up easily.
The newer 6.2L "vmax" L92 motor is great as well, not super widely available but not impossible to find. They run about $2200-3500 dependiong on mileage and are a drop in ~400FWHP motor. The BAD thing.. is that they have DOD/AFM and VVT stock that you may have trouble with in a conversion, as such some conversion and leg work may be required to get rid of all that stuff, and a little extra cost.
My money is on finding yourself an LQ4 (that'd be.. a 2000-2006 or so 2500HD) and doing a cam and some other upgrades.. you'll be sitting close to 400WHP easy.
That is.. next to the 5.3 in cost and availability, but without boost.. you're better off with the larger displacment.
LQ9 is a "better" option for naturally aspirated applications, but you can pay as much as 2x the cost of an LQ4 for one. They have flat top pistons so they have a compression closer to 10 (LQ4 is 9.5) and about 45 more FWHP stock.
A cam can wake both motors up easily.
The newer 6.2L "vmax" L92 motor is great as well, not super widely available but not impossible to find. They run about $2200-3500 dependiong on mileage and are a drop in ~400FWHP motor. The BAD thing.. is that they have DOD/AFM and VVT stock that you may have trouble with in a conversion, as such some conversion and leg work may be required to get rid of all that stuff, and a little extra cost.
My money is on finding yourself an LQ4 (that'd be.. a 2000-2006 or so 2500HD) and doing a cam and some other upgrades.. you'll be sitting close to 400WHP easy.
01-29-2012, 05:22 PM
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im thinking of doing this and very new to the ls world and trying to learn.. thats why i dont post much here. so my question is what parts would i need to hit the 400rwhp your saying i can get and what would the cost be to get there
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01-29-2012, 06:27 PM
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that was my original goal too. I've seen guys here claim they've done it with an LS6 intake, stock 317s and a cam in the low 230s, but then there's other guys with milled ls6 heads, flycut pistons and high 230s still in the high 300s.. I dunno whats up with that. Could be the dyno.
Personally.. my current "build" for my LQ4 as planned is an ls6 intake, stock 317s, a 224 cam and a d1sc procharger @ 8lbs.. should put it past 400whp.. I should hope. Its an expensive build to do it this way.. but the Lq4 is a good stock bottom end platform for higher displacement boost due to the dished pistons and lower compression than the LQ9.
I'm not 100% sold on this build tho, my configuration has changed a million times.
I won't know for sure until it's in the car. 
lmao so i would prob just try the cam and intake swap 
01-29-2012, 10:44 PM
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well, the LQ4 is gonna be the cheapest, widest availability, and a great potential motor for such a thing.
That is.. next to the 5.3 in cost and availability, but without boost.. you're better off with the larger displacment.
LQ9 is a "better" option for naturally aspirated applications, but you can pay as much as 2x the cost of an LQ4 for one. They have flat top pistons so they have a compression closer to 10 (LQ4 is 9.5) and about 45 more FWHP stock.
A cam can wake both motors up easily.
The newer 6.2L "vmax" L92 motor is great as well, not super widely available but not impossible to find. They run about $2200-3500 dependiong on mileage and are a drop in ~400FWHP motor. The BAD thing.. is that they have DOD/AFM and VVT stock that you may have trouble with in a conversion, as such some conversion and leg work may be required to get rid of all that stuff, and a little extra cost.
My money is on finding yourself an LQ4 (that'd be.. a 2000-2006 or so 2500HD) and doing a cam and some other upgrades.. you'll be sitting close to 400WHP easy.
That is.. next to the 5.3 in cost and availability, but without boost.. you're better off with the larger displacment.
LQ9 is a "better" option for naturally aspirated applications, but you can pay as much as 2x the cost of an LQ4 for one. They have flat top pistons so they have a compression closer to 10 (LQ4 is 9.5) and about 45 more FWHP stock.
A cam can wake both motors up easily.
The newer 6.2L "vmax" L92 motor is great as well, not super widely available but not impossible to find. They run about $2200-3500 dependiong on mileage and are a drop in ~400FWHP motor. The BAD thing.. is that they have DOD/AFM and VVT stock that you may have trouble with in a conversion, as such some conversion and leg work may be required to get rid of all that stuff, and a little extra cost.
My money is on finding yourself an LQ4 (that'd be.. a 2000-2006 or so 2500HD) and doing a cam and some other upgrades.. you'll be sitting close to 400WHP easy.
01-30-2012, 06:46 AM
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so know am looking for an l33,lq4,lq9,l92 to see what i can find
does anyone have info on putting a old school th350 behide an ls motor? do i just have to change the flywheel rite? i thinking of going this way becuz it be cheaper cuz i have an th350 in the truck rite now... thanks for anyones input on this thread so lets keep them coming....... i have a set of stock 853 heads for an 99 ls1 motor i build would they fit on an l33 r other 5.3l motor an give it more hp an tq? i would like to just have atleast 350hp an 350tq are close to that just so it will run when i need to it! but cheap in the long run guys. but if i can find an 6.0 r ls1 as cheap as an 5.3 ill go that way... thanks jason
01-30-2012, 06:51 AM
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The L33 has 799 heads which are the same as LS6 heads without the light valves. The L33 with a few bolt on mods would come close to your 350hp and be CHEAP. Leave the LS1 heads in the garage. The TH350 would need the right flexplate combo. A crank spacer and a flat flexplate or a dished flexplate and then the crank spacer. The spacer supports the torque converter hub.
01-31-2012, 12:07 AM
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I wouldn't overlook the lowly little 4.8. Slightly less than a 5.3, but cost is going to be dirt cheap. The came standard in any halfton truck, and could haul on of them down the highway with lots of omph. Sure there are better options, but at what price? If you want something cheap, reliable, than can you really go wrong with a 4.8? They reponsd the same as any other engine with upgrades. They are easy to find, great on gas, and make as much or more power than any sbc in stock trim.
As for the flywheel, the stock 4.8 flywheel works, just need the spacer for the torque converter.
As for the flywheel, the stock 4.8 flywheel works, just need the spacer for the torque converter.
01-31-2012, 06:40 AM
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I'm gonna put a 4.8 I got from ebay for $450, pullout with everything including gas pedal and TAC with a pair of cheap ebay turbos in my Chevelle. Check out Bow auto in New Hampshire on ebay, they have really good deals and cheap shipping. As for flywheel, you will need these parts from your local GM dealer:
Flexplate 12621399
Flexplate Spacer 12563532
Flexplate bolts 12563533 x6
These will hook your th350 to a LS engine without a problem.
Flexplate 12621399
Flexplate Spacer 12563532
Flexplate bolts 12563533 x6
These will hook your th350 to a LS engine without a problem.