New to LS. Basic turbo LQ9 build advice needed.
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New to LS. Basic turbo LQ9 build advice needed. First time dipping into the LS world and I hate to say it, but this project was bought and not built. I’m essentially taking over someone’s 90% done LQ9 swapped 240SX project. However, I’d love some advice on finishing the build. Looking for a basic, reliable 500-600whp low boost, streetable, budget friendly turbo build. My research has so far lead me to this list to get it done efficiently, reliably and not breaking the bank.
Parts list:
LS2 timing chain kit
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cmb-09-0029
Summit dual valve spring upgrade kit
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sme-174003
Maybe this Comp Cams valve spring kit might be a bit more appropriate
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-26918cs-kit/make/chevrolet
Summit pro LS upgrade rocker arms
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-141556
LS7 lifters?
New OEM oil pump or aftermarket high flow? Any recommendations here?
Summit Pro LS stage 2 turbo Cam
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-8706r1
Stock cam is probably fine for top end power goal, but looking for more mid range power. Thinking this cam might help here.
Fast intake w/102mm TB - Scratching off list
ARP headstuds
Walbro 450’s?
50lb injectors?
7875 billet turbo? Probably something smaller though. Again, looking for more mid range power vs just top end numbers.
Haltech Rebel LS ECU? - Will also use for Haltech IC-7 digital dash.
Any and all advice is welcomed. As I mentioned I’m brand new to this world, but very excited to dive into it. Very much appreciated.
Parts list:
LS2 timing chain kit
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cmb-09-0029
Summit dual valve spring upgrade kit
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sme-174003
Maybe this Comp Cams valve spring kit might be a bit more appropriate
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/cca-26918cs-kit/make/chevrolet
Summit pro LS upgrade rocker arms
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-141556
LS7 lifters?
New OEM oil pump or aftermarket high flow? Any recommendations here?
Summit Pro LS stage 2 turbo Cam
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-8706r1
Stock cam is probably fine for top end power goal, but looking for more mid range power. Thinking this cam might help here.
Fast intake w/102mm TB - Scratching off list
ARP headstuds
Walbro 450’s?
50lb injectors?
7875 billet turbo? Probably something smaller though. Again, looking for more mid range power vs just top end numbers.
Haltech Rebel LS ECU? - Will also use for Haltech IC-7 digital dash.
Any and all advice is welcomed. As I mentioned I’m brand new to this world, but very excited to dive into it. Very much appreciated.
Last edited by HKD126; Yesterday at 07:19 AM.
About $4000 of the stuff on your list is not needed for your stated goal. However, if you had done any research, this has come up hundreds of times on this forum, so I am not going to go over the list again.
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Based off your response though, it looks like I can for sure strike the FAST intake and TB.
I’m probably incorrect in my thinking, but I assumed the rest would be peace of mind while doing the cam.
Thanks.
Last edited by HKD126; May 24, 2026 at 01:22 PM.
Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 51
Likes: 26
From: BC Canada, Eh!?
On my '61 Chevy Apache I did:
LQ4 (gen4 guts), stock cam, stock timing chain, stock intake, stock exhaust manifolds (passenger side flipped)
VS Racing "Denmah" Billet 7875 kit (turbo, intercooler, BOV, WG, piping, couplers, oil feed & drain -- edit:added), currently at 9psi boost
Walbro 450 fuel pump
PQY boost-referenced fuel pressure regulator
Decapped original injectors
ARP head studs
LS9 head gaskets
PAC 1218 valve springs
Ported oil pump
Rings gapped 0.026/0.028
Snow stage 1 water/meth spraying washer fluid (edit:added)
HP Tuners on the stock P59 DBW PCM
100% beautifully driveable, decent mileage, and is enough power for some pretty serious giggles. Never been to the track and totally don't care to. You can always upgrade as you get used to it or bored with it
LQ4 (gen4 guts), stock cam, stock timing chain, stock intake, stock exhaust manifolds (passenger side flipped)
VS Racing "Denmah" Billet 7875 kit (turbo, intercooler, BOV, WG, piping, couplers, oil feed & drain -- edit:added), currently at 9psi boost
Walbro 450 fuel pump
PQY boost-referenced fuel pressure regulator
Decapped original injectors
ARP head studs
LS9 head gaskets
PAC 1218 valve springs
Ported oil pump
Rings gapped 0.026/0.028
Snow stage 1 water/meth spraying washer fluid (edit:added)
HP Tuners on the stock P59 DBW PCM
100% beautifully driveable, decent mileage, and is enough power for some pretty serious giggles. Never been to the track and totally don't care to. You can always upgrade as you get used to it or bored with it
Last edited by SkinnyG; May 25, 2026 at 02:20 AM.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: May 2026
Posts: 7
Likes: 1
On my '61 Chevy Apache I did:
LQ4 (gen4 guts), stock cam, stock timing chain, stock intake, stock exhaust manifolds (passenger side flipped)
VS Racing "Denmah" Billet 7875 kit, currently at 9psi boost
Walbro 450 fuel pump
PQY boost-referenced fuel pressure regulator
Decapped original injectors
ARP head studs
LS9 head gaskets
PAC 1218 valve springs
Ported oil pump
Rings gapped 0.026/0.028
HP Tuners on the stock P59 DBW PCM
100% beautifully driveable, decent mileage, and is enough power for some pretty serious giggles. Never been to the track and totally don't care to. You can always upgrade as you get used to it or bored with it
LQ4 (gen4 guts), stock cam, stock timing chain, stock intake, stock exhaust manifolds (passenger side flipped)
VS Racing "Denmah" Billet 7875 kit, currently at 9psi boost
Walbro 450 fuel pump
PQY boost-referenced fuel pressure regulator
Decapped original injectors
ARP head studs
LS9 head gaskets
PAC 1218 valve springs
Ported oil pump
Rings gapped 0.026/0.028
HP Tuners on the stock P59 DBW PCM
100% beautifully driveable, decent mileage, and is enough power for some pretty serious giggles. Never been to the track and totally don't care to. You can always upgrade as you get used to it or bored with it
I too will not be tracking the car in any serious capacity. I might hit a track day here and there, but this will be just a fun toy for myself.
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2026
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Oh these are definitely not forgot about and were implied in my list. I was just listing the main pieces and wanted to make sure the 7875 turbo might be appropriately sized for my goals and streetability. The last thing I want is massive turbo lag on the street and too big of a turbo for this.
I did find a company that does complete turbo kits for LS swapped 240’s, however if I go that route I will probably just buy the hot side components for ease of install and piece the rest together myself. CX Racing is the company and from what I remember it’s a cheap chineseum eBay brand. Not sure if they gained any quality in the last handful of years but it’s been a long time since I’ve even seen the name. I’ll pick up a nicer intercooler and piping is easy enough to fabricate. I’ll probably pick up a Tial BOV and wastegates. Catch can set ups are easy enough to put together as well, but I’m sure someone out there makes a clean tank for this platform/swap.
Looking to accomplish this on 93 if possible. Really not looking to do ethanol blends, would rather do methanol injection if it came to it. I always found doing blends unless on a total flex fuel system a total pain. I’ve had plenty of success with meth from basic JB4 controlled kits from BMS on multiple vehicles to a custom TorqByte setup on my M3.
I did find a company that does complete turbo kits for LS swapped 240’s, however if I go that route I will probably just buy the hot side components for ease of install and piece the rest together myself. CX Racing is the company and from what I remember it’s a cheap chineseum eBay brand. Not sure if they gained any quality in the last handful of years but it’s been a long time since I’ve even seen the name. I’ll pick up a nicer intercooler and piping is easy enough to fabricate. I’ll probably pick up a Tial BOV and wastegates. Catch can set ups are easy enough to put together as well, but I’m sure someone out there makes a clean tank for this platform/swap.
Looking to accomplish this on 93 if possible. Really not looking to do ethanol blends, would rather do methanol injection if it came to it. I always found doing blends unless on a total flex fuel system a total pain. I’ve had plenty of success with meth from basic JB4 controlled kits from BMS on multiple vehicles to a custom TorqByte setup on my M3.
Last edited by HKD126; May 25, 2026 at 05:19 AM.
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I like to do most things as cheap as possible as a challenge, cheap , fast and reliable are possible although there are many different ideas of what those things mean. Other than injectors you won't even need to touch the engine but a small cam and springs will let you easily surpass your goals, keep the lift below. 550" and you can use inexpensive ls6 type springs. The old gm rail mounted fuel pressure regulator works fine and nearly free , decapped and flow matched truck injectors work great - that's it for the engine unless it's low mileage with possibly tight ring gaps. Mine had 180k miles , heads and pan never off , that was 35000 boosted miles ago and it's making 800 ish crankshaft. A basic on/off W/M kit I would highly recommend, it may be the reason I haven't damaged anything especially when street tuning myself with no prior experience with tuning efi . If you can fab at all , make the hot side yourself and make sure to give the gate good priority, many guys with kits have had to redo the gate location or add a second
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2026
Posts: 7
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I like to do most things as cheap as possible as a challenge, cheap , fast and reliable are possible although there are many different ideas of what those things mean. Other than injectors you won't even need to touch the engine but a small cam and springs will let you easily surpass your goals, keep the lift below. 550" and you can use inexpensive ls6 type springs. The old gm rail mounted fuel pressure regulator works fine and nearly free , decapped and flow matched truck injectors work great - that's it for the engine unless it's low mileage with possibly tight ring gaps. Mine had 180k miles , heads and pan never off , that was 35000 boosted miles ago and it's making 800 ish crankshaft. A basic on/off W/M kit I would highly recommend, it may be the reason I haven't damaged anything especially when street tuning myself with no prior experience with tuning efi . If you can fab at all , make the hot side yourself and make sure to give the gate good priority, many guys with kits have had to redo the gate location or add a second
Yeah, I think a simple on/off meth kit would be fine for this sort of build. Big fan of methanol, but curious how doable and safely/reliably far I can get on 93 with this. It’s a 240sx after all, so massive power isn’t needed.
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My daily driver is a 2010 335xi with ~550awhp and that is PLENTY for the street in my opinion. It’s also 1000lbs heavier than the 240SX, so I have a feeling I’ll be quite alright with the power. Haha. Who knows, maybe something to look at in the future, but this thing will rip.
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Interesting. I don’t mind spending a little extra money on the nicer valve spring kit though. I’m really digging the reviews of that Summit Stage 2 turbo cam. Lots of positives on the midrange on it, which is exactly what I’m after. Very open to suggestion, but by keeping it budget friendly, I’m just trying to not go ham and just focus the spending on key components.
Yeah, I think a simple on/off meth kit would be fine for this sort of build. Big fan of methanol, but curious how doable and safely/reliably far I can get on 93 with this. It’s a 240sx after all, so massive power isn’t needed.
Yeah, I think a simple on/off meth kit would be fine for this sort of build. Big fan of methanol, but curious how doable and safely/reliably far I can get on 93 with this. It’s a 240sx after all, so massive power isn’t needed.
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Yeah, copy that. I just stumbled across Richard Holdener’s YouTube. Wild the amount of info and comparisons he has on there. Given what you said looks like the Truck Norris cam has great low end and mid gains and within the limits of the LS6 springs. Hmmm… Could be a very nice option.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 343
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From: UK
I did a gt45 in LS1 AC cobra 1200kg. Wished I had listened more on here first and would have prob bought a better turbo, maybe 7875..., but the gt45 was almost free at the time in UK so just did it.
Regards
Gav
Regards
Gav