Hey guys, so recently I hydrolocked my motor and it either bent a rod or cracked a piston. So as I was surfing CL I found a 6L iron block for sale for 850$. So I was wondering if I should swap instead of fixing my motor. I have a 2002 6 speed trans am with 70k miles. I want to get it as close to 500whp as possible n/a. Would it be easier with the ls1 or with an lq motor? I know the lq weights about 70 pounds more but I'm not too worried about that. Any input is highly appreciated.

 

Starting with a bigger bore is always a plus when shooting for
500 RWHP. It gives you more options for Head choices.
Iron block 4.030" Bore, stock crank & rods, aftermarket
Pistons targeting 11.5:1 with cylinder head choice
370" with MMS 235 Cylinder Heads, MAMOFIED MSD Intake,
Medium sized CAM MOTION cam something like 231/235 .620"/.600"
LSA 114*+3*. Premium Build, definitely Not Cheap!
But 520+ RWHP in a M6 and Extremely drivable and
Docile till you plant your foot, then Rip your Head Off
Throttle Response! And pull to 7k+ RPM if you pay attention
To ALL the Details.
Just my .02 and worth what you paid for it lol.
Good Luck

 

That really sounds amazing actually!! But as a college student the budget is somewhat tight. I was thinking something along the lines of ported 243 heads, fast 102, Lt headers, and a cam to start off. And then one day maybe a stroker kit but that just dreams haha

 

500 rwhp on a budget is a contradiction in terms lol. Now 450 or would be much easier on a budget

 

Haha I know that's why I'm saying as close to 500, if it's over 450 I'll be happy

 

Stroker not needed. Sell LS1 parts that are still good,
370" with AI 243s,Fast 102, 90/92 MM TB with VMax
Velocity ring (much easier to tune and enough airflow
For 500+RWHP), Cam Motion Cam, 1 7/8 LTs 460 RWHP
is possible with medium sized cam.

 

Cheap route on a budget I say would be get a pair of stock LS3 heads/valvespring and mount them on top of your 6L with a LS3 intake...
It's 5th gen SS 376ci cars knocking on 500rwhp doors with around 233/248 camshafts. Just have to be REALLY CAREFUL with PTV.
Ls3 heads are selling here on the site used for 700 dollars give/take...

 

https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamometer-results-comparisons/1720997-491rwhp-448rwtq-cam-only-ls3-2014-camaro-ss-1le.html

https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamometer-results-comparisons/1524780-new-cam-only-ls3-dyno-results-517whp-462wtq-24-timing.html

 

Would it matter if I go with an lq4 or an lq9? Lq4 r was easier to come by around here haha , the block I was talking about in the first post has dish pistons would that make it an lq4? And also if I get flat piston and put them in would that basically make it an lq9?

 

The difference is a 1/2 a point of compression. The Lq9 has flat top pistons so it has more compression.

 

Yes you put the flat tops in and the LQ4 is essentially like the LQ9. So if you can get the LQ4 then I'd just do that

 

so I am most likely gonna be getting the lq4 with 20k miles on it. Like i said i will do heads and cam as well as an intake and all that fun stuff. But ive been thinking what if i decide to boost it down the road, will i have to replace the pistons or anything else? That way i could just do it now instead of having to pull the motor later on.