I know there are a million write ups on boosted lq4s and I’ve been reading them day and night, I just have a few questions as I start my first boosted LS build (I’m a diesel tech, don’t get to many gassers in the shop). Just picked up what I was told was an 04 lq4 which I believe is an 03 (has two length head bolts and pressed wrist pins) but it’s really clean internally so I don’t care (don’t want to bore it). Already have a gen 3 billet 78/75 vs turbo (at most 10 psi for a while), arp studs, ls9 head gaskets, have the fuel somewhat figured out(93) custom grind Howard’s cam, trunion upgrade, gm performance roller lifters, Howard’s springs and a circle d 3200. Looking to make around 700. My questions are really with rods and pistons. I’d like 10:1 compression but I don’t want to shave the heads or block, are lq9 internals fine for my set up? How about eagle forged I beam 6.125 rods with what pistons. Any recommendations?

 

Have you looked at the summit racing forged rod and piston combo's? They look like quality pieces.

 

When I bought my rod/piston combo i talked to summit, jegs, texas speed and i was told steer clear of the eagle rods. Why i asked, they said they sometimes have to have some resizing done. Thats unacceptable for me. I settled in on the summit stuff and i'm glad i did.

 

We have 2cc flat tops that would work for you. We have them in piston and rod combos with rings. You'd be right around 10.1:1 with the 2cc flat tops, stock 71cc 317 heads and LS9 head gaskets. We have kits available in stock bore and .005" overbore in case you need to clean up the bores. For rods we offer the stock length of 6.098" or the common aftermarket length of 6.125".

For stock bore flat top options click here.

For .005" over flat top options click here.

We're comfortable with these to 1,000 whp out of the box so there's plenty of room with your power goal. Tool steel pins are available once you start getting over 1,000 whp.