LQ9 Turbo Build Question
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Teching In
Joined: Mar 2017
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LQ9 Turbo Build Question Hey Guys, newish to the site, read a lot of stuff on here but haven't posted. I recently got a really good deal on a 2003 LQ9 motor. I am planning on putting it in a 99 Trans Am and then adding a turbo. My first question is as far as the tune, will a stock LS1 tune work in the LQ9 to get it up and running enough to drive and will it drive well enough to get it to a shop to be dyno tuned? or is there too much of a difference between the 2 motors? cam specs and other things seem relatively similar? Or would I need to get a decent tune in it first? I plan on running the LQ9 as a stock motor with a BBK SSI intake and 85mm throttle body, I was also going to leave stock injectors in at first (to get it running) and then go to 42 or 60lb injectors and a 78/76 turbo setup. I currently have an unlocked computer with a stock LS1 tune that can be used with this motor which is the reason for the question. I also have access to HP Tuners. I know you guys will point me in the right direction!
TECH Regular
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 423
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From: Ohio
I know there are a lot of places with tune libraries that you may be able to find a tune similar enough to your set up to get it to drive well. Gearhead efi, HPtuners forums, https://sites.google.com/site/sloppywiki/tunecabinet (sloppy Tune Cabinet).
As for your set up you may want to look into valve springs
As for your set up you may want to look into valve springs
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 2
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thanks for the replies! That was going to be my plan was to drive it to a tuner without getting into boost, but I already have an extra computer with a stock LS1 tune, I do not have a stock tune for the LQ9 and cant seem to find a stock tune on HPTuners or on the web anywhere. Would the stock LS1 tune be close enough to the LQ9 tune to drive it to the tuner? I was going to leave the stock injectors in and then swap to 60lbs once its at the tuner.
Since nobody mentioned it yet, you should know that 60# injectors with that combo will be GREAT as long as you don't get the "more" bug. Otherwise, you should go bigger. Without tuning software you will end up hating yourself.
