Question for the expert of this forum
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 11
Likes: 3
Question for the expert of this forum Hi.
We're building a twin turbo drifting car on a fairly stock LQ4.
The parts we have bought so far is Fast EZ Efi 2.0. Another intake, msd coils, throttle body and so on.
The engine is a 2003 6.0L LQ4. Unknown from what car.
This is not a pro build, just something we're throwing together for fun, but atleast we can try to make it last for a little while.
Replacing the pistons, crankshaft and rods wont be done, but Ive read that lifters and rockers can break when pushing 500HP on these engines. And Ive seen kits to rebuild the original rockers to handle a racing setup.
What I want is to hear from someone else who have tuned these engines and hear their tips for what to buy, not to buy or what to replace.
Our budget can allow us to go as far as to switch the camshaft, lifters, pushrods, rockers if thats needed.
We're not going to run more than about 0.5 Bars on the engine.
Thanks in advance
We're building a twin turbo drifting car on a fairly stock LQ4.
The parts we have bought so far is Fast EZ Efi 2.0. Another intake, msd coils, throttle body and so on.
The engine is a 2003 6.0L LQ4. Unknown from what car.
This is not a pro build, just something we're throwing together for fun, but atleast we can try to make it last for a little while.
Replacing the pistons, crankshaft and rods wont be done, but Ive read that lifters and rockers can break when pushing 500HP on these engines. And Ive seen kits to rebuild the original rockers to handle a racing setup.
What I want is to hear from someone else who have tuned these engines and hear their tips for what to buy, not to buy or what to replace.
Our budget can allow us to go as far as to switch the camshaft, lifters, pushrods, rockers if thats needed.
We're not going to run more than about 0.5 Bars on the engine.
Thanks in advance
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 635
Likes: 329
From: Missouri
gap the rings, summit turbo cam of your flavor, matching valve springs, summit push rods, id do an oil pump and new timing chain while i was in there, then focus on fuel system and tuning. simple recipe
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 1,129
Likes: 478
Rockers and lifters aren't limited by a horsepower amount in any application...
MSD coils are a waste of money. An intake and throttle body are a waste in most applications.
A set of fresh valve springs and a 75-80mm single turbo will make 500 at the flywheel on an otherwise completely stock engine at 7-8 PSI.
MSD coils are a waste of money. An intake and throttle body are a waste in most applications.
A set of fresh valve springs and a 75-80mm single turbo will make 500 at the flywheel on an otherwise completely stock engine at 7-8 PSI.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 734
Likes: 209
As already said, don't waste your money. I'm at about 800 fwhp with cam and springs only , stock pushrods and rockers . You will need injectors and a fuel system though, decaps and a 320 - 340 pump will get you there on gasoline easily and cheap . A cheap 7875 from eBay or VS racing works great on a 6L . Lq4 only came in trucks , if going in almost any car you'll need an oil pan also
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Stock rockers with a trunnion kit will be fine, and I'd run a new set of lifters.
I'd think you'd want a great oiling system, run a new (Melling) oil pump and do some research on oil pans and baffles to keep the engine healthy.
As already said a stock bottom end engine can handle that power level no problem as long as the tune is safe and made wise parts choices.
I'd think you'd want a great oiling system, run a new (Melling) oil pump and do some research on oil pans and baffles to keep the engine healthy.
As already said a stock bottom end engine can handle that power level no problem as long as the tune is safe and made wise parts choices.
Last edited by Pro Stock John; Oct 25, 2025 at 12:35 PM.
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TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2022
Posts: 1,032
Likes: 389
From: Alaska
I have a 2002 vintage 4.8Liter, with Texas Speed cam, and Magnuson blower at 11 PSI, 4.56 gears and bouncing off the rev limiter 6500RPM since 2016. stock rockers, lifters: 220,000 miles-, driven like a dumbass teenager, and nothings broken.\\
You WILL need Injectors, Fuel pump, and valve springs.
Don't waste your money on parts you DON'T need.
You WILL need Injectors, Fuel pump, and valve springs.
Don't waste your money on parts you DON'T need.
Launching!
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 202
Likes: 5
From: chicago
dont forget about 800 bucks just tune alone.
leave it stock and run the **** out of it. That engine bulletproof. But the only thing u have to do is just gap rings to .o25 and just through boost and you will have a smile on your face from saving thousands of dollor, jut change fuel system and injector get basic tune and be done.
leave it stock and run the **** out of it. That engine bulletproof. But the only thing u have to do is just gap rings to .o25 and just through boost and you will have a smile on your face from saving thousands of dollor, jut change fuel system and injector get basic tune and be done.