I want to know the differences between the two. I just found a 2002 camaro with a blown LQ9, and i want to put an LS1 back in it. Basically i want to know if i can still use the Intake/TB, PCM, Headers. Basically what would i have to do to return this to being a LS1 camaro? Thanks

 

why not just rebuild the lq9? Personally i would rather have the bigger cubic inch and the power level. Plus down the road if you plan to do a blower or turbo you will have the block to handel it. You will literally be a step a head of the game.

 

Everything will swap over, I'm positive they used everything off of the old LS1 on the LQ9. The intake, headers, and accessories will bolt up if you decide to stick a LS1 in it. Go pick up a used 5.3 for 350-500 bucks (pm me for the site) and have fun! And if you don't mind a little work, grab a 04.5+ LS motor with the stronger LS2 rods and full floating pistons. Just takes a cam swap to get rid of the AFM and DoD.

 

Why in the world would you want to pulled a "blown" LQ9 for the LS1?

Sorry I couldnt resist....

 

Well i want to make it a street car. And i still want to get decent MPG. 18-22 More cubes less MPG. Plus the LS1 is lighter. Would it be cost effective to rebuild the LQ9 than to get an LS1 salvage what i can from that and build the LQ9

 

Depends on the damage to the lq9. It could be something simple and cheaper to fix. Now the ls1 to me would also be hit or miss. If you can find one cheap that you know runs good that would be the deal. But for a little more money i would build the lq9. To me it would be like buying a small cam then riding in a buddies with the bigger one You will be disappointed and want the bigger one. You already have the bigger one. Why not just fix it and surprise a few people.

 

You could probably buy 3 or 4 iron block 5.3s or 6.0s for the price of an aluminum block 5.7 or 6.0 with similar miles.
Intake, injectors, sensors, oil pan accessories, etc will all swap over. You should get the correct reluctor (24x) motor to run your current ecu.
One other thing, the LQ9 comes with the same cam as the LS1, so milage wont change much. The larger displacement does give it more toque at lower rpm. One other nice aspect is that exhaust and tune alone put you over 400hp.
http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...#ixzz21ehbAsre

 

If the LQ9 being heavier was really significant than I don't think it would be as popular as it is. Your mpg is gona suck though.

 

The LQ9 block is approx. 100 lbs heavier then the LS1 or LS2 block. 100 lbs is quite a bit of weight over the front tires. Depending on the damage, rebuilding the LQ9 maybe cheaper and your better route. The aluminum LS blocks do cost a significant amount more then the iron blocks. The increased cubes of the LQ9 will put out more HP and TQ but at the cost of additional weight, but thats your coin to toss.
And btw, the LS1 block itself will handle a lot of power produced via boost. Its the internals (mainly rods and bolts) that are the weak link, not the engine block.

 

The weight difference between the iron LQ9 and aluminum LS1 blocks is quite significant, over 100 lbs actually, 105 lbs if memory serves me right. The main reason for the iron blocks popularity is its cost compared to the aluminum blocks.

 

So basically what im hearing here is that the LQ9 would be cheaper to rebuild, and would be like future proofing. But the engine will be 100lbs heavier and thus it will get less mpg and be slightly slower at that track.

 

Basically yes. Its likely it would be cheaper to rebuild the LQ9 then buying a used complete LS1. One of the good things about rebuilding the LQ9 is that you could install stronger and lighter weight internals (stronger rod and crank bolts, upgrade pistons, rods, rings, bearings, etc) while doing so. Then, you have a much stronger and more reliable engine over a stock LQ9 or LS1. Sure, you'll have an additional 100 lbs over the nose compared to an aluminum LS1, but if its more of a street car and not racecar, is it really that big of a deal anyways?

 

Well weight would make MPG less. I was planning on doing an HCI on the LS1 so you would have to add that cost onto the actual engine itself. The guy im buying the car from said he got 24mpg highway (within the range im looking for) and before the motor blew i think it was making 440hp (also what im aiming for)

 

Also, the LQ9 can use LS3/L92 heads ($659 a set, new), the LS1 can't. Plus, a set of LS2 rods and pistons can be had for about $150 a set and the stock 24x cranks are plentiful, so as long as the block isn't destroyed, you can fix it relatively cheap. That 100lbs can also be made up for pretty easy. I wouldn't say slower at the track.

 

Yea because of the cost reason. Ive decided to keep the LQ9 as long as the block is not trashed. Because cubes rule Im looking to make 450hp any suggestions? it already comes with : Ram air, SLP lid, FAST 92tb/90 intake, has heads (dont know if they are destroyed) stepped headers and TD's. I had a build planned for an LS1 so now i need to make one for the LQ9.

 

Stick with the LQ9, easier to rebuilt and more cubic inches. You bore it out to a 427 stroker

 

Im just saying beacause that what my project is gonna consist of. A 6.0 Bored to a 427 stroker with forged internals and low compression pistons (or normal pistons in your case if you want a N/A setup)

 

I had a build already prepared for an LS1 can i use the same cam and heads in the LQ9? Cam was gonna be EPS custom grind to match the TFS 215cc heads (or since this motor has more cubes should i go with 225's)

 

you can use them on the lq9.do you have the cam ?what was it speced for ?if you don't have the cam yet order after you have the short block built.

 

Physically, yes you can use it (depending on specs may require fly cutting). However, like ^he said, get the cam after you get all the engine details ironed out and put together.