ok guys idk if this is the right section or not, but anway. I am looking into building up a LQ9 in the near future since my LS1 is at 185K miles, in ive been looking into an LKQ motor and most of them are about 100K miles on them. I was wondering what all you would do to the LQ9 motor before adding a new intake manifold, plugs, wires, heads, cam. Im looking into the 400 HP range and no power adders. What all would you go threw and change before doing the typical mods.

 

Well if you are going that far, I would spend a little extra money and rebuild the bottom end, just new pistons and rods, defiantly stronger rod bolts. The factory crank should be fine for what your goals are. I would also replace the oil pump and water pump etc. Spend a little now and you will have no headaches down the road.

 

The iron blocks need a hole drilled and tapped on the driver side for the alternator IIRC. Other than that, everything should swap over. 243/799 heads, ls6 manifold, and an upper 220 duration cam should get you over 400whp pretty easily.