LQ4 head gasket question
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 30
From: New Port Richey, FL
LQ4 head gasket question I just scored a lq4 from an 01 sub xl at LKQ. I plan on sticking it in my 04 Tahoe after going thru the motor. I have a few sets of ls2 heads laying around. So I'm planning on adding a set, tbss intake i have collecting dust and vs spending $300 on the xlink adpator for a 4 bolt tb, I'm just going to get a 4 to 3 bolt tb adaptor plate for (for now as i have an aftermarket 80mm Jet unit) and I just bought the sdparts LS6 max cam.
SO... Since I'm going with ls2 heads, should i go with ls2/gen3 6L head gaskets that are .051 compressed ( .054 not compressed) or since not a big cam and with ls2 heads raising compression ratio already... Should I go thinner bc dished pistons? LQ4 stock c/r is 9.4 and ls2 is 10.9. Lq4 with 243 heads should put me close to 10 to 1 with the .051 head gaskets... Yes? No? Obviously ptvc is of no concern with my cam choice. Its the family mobile and close to ls6 cam. Such a baby cam should be nice and very tamed. I'd like to not have to run 91-93 octane if I can get the right tune.
thx in advance
SO... Since I'm going with ls2 heads, should i go with ls2/gen3 6L head gaskets that are .051 compressed ( .054 not compressed) or since not a big cam and with ls2 heads raising compression ratio already... Should I go thinner bc dished pistons? LQ4 stock c/r is 9.4 and ls2 is 10.9. Lq4 with 243 heads should put me close to 10 to 1 with the .051 head gaskets... Yes? No? Obviously ptvc is of no concern with my cam choice. Its the family mobile and close to ls6 cam. Such a baby cam should be nice and very tamed. I'd like to not have to run 91-93 octane if I can get the right tune.
thx in advance
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
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From: Central Cal.
You are correct on the CR with 243 heads and .051 stock head gasket. Close to 10:1 CR.
It should even be able to use 87 gas, since all Gen IV 5.3's are 9.9:1 and use regular (87 octane) gas.
The LS6 Power Max Cam (204/222, .551/.570, 112+2) might lose some low end, which you might not want to do in a heavy truck like a Tahoe (I also have an 04)
My choice of cam would be the Hot Truck Torque (205/210, .550/525, 115+4), but that's just me...
It should even be able to use 87 gas, since all Gen IV 5.3's are 9.9:1 and use regular (87 octane) gas.
The LS6 Power Max Cam (204/222, .551/.570, 112+2) might lose some low end, which you might not want to do in a heavy truck like a Tahoe (I also have an 04)
My choice of cam would be the Hot Truck Torque (205/210, .550/525, 115+4), but that's just me...
Last edited by G Atsma; Jul 25, 2020 at 01:10 AM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,160
Likes: 30
From: New Port Richey, FL
Well inalready ordered it. But it said for truck engines 4.8 5.3 5.7 6L. And works with stock converter. But bump up in stall speed would benefit more. I've seen some remanned ones on ebay for $160 shipped with advertised stock units with bumped up to 2200-2500 depending on truck application. But with 3.73 gears but run 285 45 22 tires. Thought of 4.10s crossed my mind also.
At a point in time I was looking at tsp stg 2 low lift truck cam.
At a point in time I was looking at tsp stg 2 low lift truck cam.
You are correct on the CR with 243 heads and .051 stock head gasket. Close to 10:1 CR.
It should even be able to use 87 gas, since all Gen IV 5.3's are 9.9:1 and use regular (87 octane) gas.
The LS6 Power Max Cam (204/222, .551/.570, 112+2) might lose some low end, which you might not want to do in a heavy truck like a Tahoe (I also have an 04)
My choice of cam would be the Hot Truck Torque (205/210, .550/525, 115+4), but that's just me...
It should even be able to use 87 gas, since all Gen IV 5.3's are 9.9:1 and use regular (87 octane) gas.
The LS6 Power Max Cam (204/222, .551/.570, 112+2) might lose some low end, which you might not want to do in a heavy truck like a Tahoe (I also have an 04)
My choice of cam would be the Hot Truck Torque (205/210, .550/525, 115+4), but that's just me...
