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Best LQ4 to get?

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Old Apr 10, 2011 | 07:50 PM
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Default Best LQ4 to get?

Been researching and think im gonna try and find an LQ4 short block with low mileage and do a heads/cam/spray setup.

with that...what are the best LQ4s to get? I have been out of the LS scene for a while so im lost. Is an newer year like 05 the best to get? which years have the reluctor i need? any reason not to get an early year like 98-99?

Thanks in advance!
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Old Apr 10, 2011 | 07:52 PM
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This will be behind a built 4L60
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Old Apr 10, 2011 | 11:15 PM
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the early version had a longer crank in it, i believe this creates issues bolting to the 4l60. I think they also switched to full floating wrist pins in 2004. (Dont quote me but I believe that is when.) And i believe all lq4 lq9 that are 2006 and older are 24x.

Last edited by welldonecj7; Apr 11, 2011 at 12:12 AM.
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Old Apr 11, 2011 | 02:42 AM
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i thought i remembered something about a longer crank in early 6.0s. So aim for an 04-06 im guessing?
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Old Apr 12, 2011 | 02:01 AM
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Depending what your goals are for the engine yea I would. However if you are going to spray much I would prob look into changing piston and rods in that case it will not make much difference as long it is newer short crank (at least that I kbow of)
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Old Apr 13, 2011 | 12:02 AM
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'99-'00 had the longer crank snout as previously mentioned and you would need to use a spacer for the tranny to mount properly. Believe this was due to the 4L80E being the only tranny option for those years. From what I've found out by using Google, it appears that '04 is when they went to a floating wrist pin. I've read conflicting reports as far as rods go... several people have said that mid year '04s and newer LQ4s have the same rods as the LQ9s. Haven't really found much evidence that they are that much stronger than the earlier years.

Here on the boards you will find many people who have put some major power to the wheels using just a stock LQ4 short block. It appears that w/ ARP or Katech rod bolts, the motor can handle 700+ rwhp reliably.

It would be a good idea to have a machine shop just look over your block and rotating assembly to look for any wear and tear. I purchased an '04 LQ4 shortblock that I'm still awaiting arrival of. Once I receive it, I plan on having the crank/rods/pistons checked out, new bearings installed, ARP rod bolts, and new piston rings put on and be done with it. I have confidence that I will throw whatever I want at it and not grenade

BTW: All LQ4's should be 24X reluctor.
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Old Apr 13, 2011 | 06:50 AM
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That sounds like what aiming for. Milled 317s, cam, bolt ons so low 400 rwhp and a 125-150 hit.
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Old Apr 13, 2011 | 06:52 AM
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I would like to be in the 525rwhp area
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