Forced Induction Superchargers | Turbochargers | Intercoolers

L33 or LQ4

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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 07:55 AM
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Default L33 or LQ4

I have a chance to get a hell of a deal on 2 engines. Curious which would be the better set up. I am currently running a 5.3 but it has over 180,000 miles and quiet a bit of blow by.

First engine is a LQ4 out of a 2005 Yukon XL Denali. Figured this engine probably wasn't hot rodded. However, it has a 170,000 miles. I was going to run my 862 heads with it.

OR

I can get a local L33 for the same cheap price with only a 140,000 miles. More compression but aluminum block.

Same price....cheap. Which do you do?
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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 08:29 AM
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Get the L33.
It is going to make more power with a good tune and you are going to save weight.

Not to mention you are going to choke that LQ4 with that 70 mm turbo.
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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 08:44 AM
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He has twin 70's.

Get them both and I will buy whichever one you don't want, haha. I am looking for a cheap backup motor .

I would probably go with the more cubes.
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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 08:49 AM
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Originally Posted by Chicago TDP
Get the L33.
It is going to make more power with a good tune and you are going to save weight.

Not to mention you are going to choke that LQ4 with that 70 mm turbo.
Twin 70s
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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 09:00 AM
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LOL, my bad...
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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 09:32 AM
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i would go with the L33. better heads, less weight.
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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 09:40 AM
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Yeah Im stuck. Heading up in a few minutes. I was thinking less weight, more compression, stronger rods and Pistons and reasonable miles with the L33 or more cubes with the 6.0 but way more miles. Only thing worries me with the L33 is aluminum block.

I think Im leaning towards the L33.
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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 09:40 AM
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E85 likes higher compression!
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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 11:37 AM
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I think ~3 out of the five fastest stock ls short blocks are L33s. They weigh less, have better rods, and the aluminum block helps with cooling. Not to mention the 799 heads are better than the LQ heads.

With forced induction, displacement is no longer king. You size the turbos based on your power goals, not the engine. The small bump in displacement might help with spool and make a little more at the same boost level, but its not going to do as much for peak power.
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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 01:43 PM
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Well, the guy with the L33 was a jerk. We had a deal in place. I drove 80 miles to go get it and then he tried to ad $50 to our negotiated price. The engine looked like dog **** and made me skeptical. I left pissed but stopped by the other place and the LQ4 they had looked excellent! They did a leak down test for me and we thought the engine had 170k in miles, but turns out it was 120k. Someone mis took the 2 for a 7. They fired it up, sounded good, good oil pressure, and no blow by or overheating. Came back a couple hours later and picked it up.

Just because I like to try different things. I plan to pull my 5.3 since it hasn't blown up yet and can still be rebuilt and used at a later date. I am going to put my 862 heads on it to bump the compression up, put in my cam, and LS9 gaskets and re use my KMJ head studs. It should bump the compression to 10.5 and be an animal down low.

In all reality the twin 70's are probably more suited to a 6.0 instead of a 5.3 anyways. I hope to make the swap and have her racing by this weekend.

I'll sale the 317's and re coup some of my money.

Thanks for all the input.

Last edited by Wicked69; Mar 5, 2013 at 01:49 PM.
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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 01:47 PM
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Awesome man. Can't wait to see the results.
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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 03:03 PM
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that lq4 could be an lq9 if it came from an 05 yukon denali.

and that would just be an added bonus in the compression dept.
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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 03:06 PM
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lq9 have flat top pistons and lq4 have dish pistons correct?
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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 03:22 PM
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Awesome to hear the 6.0l ended actually being better than expected and the lesser on miles out of the two. Toss it in and have some fun.

Originally Posted by a4ls2goat
lq9 have flat top pistons and lq4 have dish pistons correct?
From everything ive read that is correct
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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 03:33 PM
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i use a stock 6.0

its been good to me so far.
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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 04:56 PM
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Originally Posted by 71 chevy
that lq4 could be an lq9 if it came from an 05 yukon denali.

and that would just be an added bonus in the compression dept.
It was out of a 2005 Yukon Denali. We'll see when I pull the heads.... already looking forward to it. Going to have some late nights.

Yeah- I have been following your stock 6.0 Dudeman. I hope I am just close to yours. Sub 6 is my only goal so I can race 6.0 index and drive daily.
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Old Mar 5, 2013 | 04:59 PM
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you shouldnt have a problem doing that
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