Advice before buying LQ9 engine parts
02-18-2013, 04:47 PM
#1
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Advice before buying LQ9 engine parts I bought a fully machined .030 over Lq9 block a while back and planned on building a 408 n/a stroker motor. Since then my budget has changed some and i was thinking of using the LS 3.622 stroke crank instead and build a 370.
I was wanting to know if there is a forged 4.030 piston out there that I can use on a 3.622 stroke and a 4 inch stroke if i can afford the crank later?
also, can i use the stock LS1 rods in this motor with the stock crank and buy 4.030 pistons?
If i can find a piston to match both of those cranks, i can go ahead and build the 370 with a ls1 top end and have my car back for now and build on it gradually.
I want to keep my options open (if i can) to where i can gradually upgrade from the 3.622" crank to the 4" crank, from 241 heads to some 243's or l92's, and from the ls6 intake manifold to a fast 102.
Any input can help, i dont want to be throwing money around before i have every fact and every option in my head. thanks
I was wanting to know if there is a forged 4.030 piston out there that I can use on a 3.622 stroke and a 4 inch stroke if i can afford the crank later?
also, can i use the stock LS1 rods in this motor with the stock crank and buy 4.030 pistons?
If i can find a piston to match both of those cranks, i can go ahead and build the 370 with a ls1 top end and have my car back for now and build on it gradually.
I want to keep my options open (if i can) to where i can gradually upgrade from the 3.622" crank to the 4" crank, from 241 heads to some 243's or l92's, and from the ls6 intake manifold to a fast 102.
Any input can help, i dont want to be throwing money around before i have every fact and every option in my head. thanks
02-18-2013, 04:56 PM
#2
You can't use the same pistons on a 4" stroke that you would on a 3.622" stroke. You're better off planning a conservative build and sticking with that plan. Otherwise you spend A LOT more money and your car is down A LOT longer.
The 370ci option is still very capable of great power. You can use the stock rods, but you have to find a piston to match the .944" pin. Most have a .927" pin, so you will be very limited in your selection. Another option is to just get a cheap SCAT I Beam (<$300) with the .927" pin boss and a good Wiseco piston.
The 370ci option is still very capable of great power. You can use the stock rods, but you have to find a piston to match the .944" pin. Most have a .927" pin, so you will be very limited in your selection. Another option is to just get a cheap SCAT I Beam (<$300) with the .927" pin boss and a good Wiseco piston.
02-18-2013, 05:03 PM
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You can't use the same pistons on a 4" stroke that you would on a 3.622" stroke. You're better off planning a conservative build and sticking with that plan. Otherwise you spend A LOT more money and your car is down A LOT longer.
The 370ci option is still very capable of great power. You can use the stock rods, but you have to find a piston to match the .944" pin. Most have a .927" pin, so you will be very limited in your selection. Another option is to just get a cheap SCAT I Beam (<$300) with the .927" pin boss and a good Wiseco piston.
The 370ci option is still very capable of great power. You can use the stock rods, but you have to find a piston to match the .944" pin. Most have a .927" pin, so you will be very limited in your selection. Another option is to just get a cheap SCAT I Beam (<$300) with the .927" pin boss and a good Wiseco piston.
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02-19-2013, 08:44 PM
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4.065" bore wouldnt be pushing it with a lq9 block?
Is the gain seen from the LS3 pistons and the extra 6 cubic inches going to make enough of a difference for me to have the block bored out again? its already been bored .030 over
Is the gain seen from the LS3 pistons and the extra 6 cubic inches going to make enough of a difference for me to have the block bored out again? its already been bored .030 over
02-19-2013, 08:51 PM
#11
12-28-2013, 07:08 PM
#12
Hold on... 4.085 is the MAX safe bore for the LQ9?
Where are you sourcing your information from? I've never seen a figure that high. Usually I see 4.060, with 4.020 - 4.030 being the recommended window.
Where are you sourcing your information from? I've never seen a figure that high. Usually I see 4.060, with 4.020 - 4.030 being the recommended window.
12-29-2013, 02:52 AM
#13
If you have only the block you should really pencil out the incremental costs....
Having just built, and installed and tuned a 6.1L LQ9, the incremental cost for me to have gone "stroker" was about $1400. Because I bought an existing LQ9 engine I already had the crank and rods and just had to buy pistons and machine the block.
All done I think I spent like $4k for a complete long block with the cam and CNC ported heads......and assembly. I shopped and got really good prices on parts and saved about $900. TMS sells the same motor for $4900. If I had to do it again I would just buy a long block....as that $900 easily got sucked up with my time, shopping, fetching, coordinating, etc.
Am I happy? Yes the LQ9 with heads and cam is a great power upgrade...and still gets 26mpg on the highway. It has ALOT more power than the stock 5.7 did....and I can't feel the weight difference at all.
If I had it to do over again, would I stuff the LQ9 with a stroker kit? YES!
If you have to hunt down a stocker crank, rods and get pistons that will cost $800-$1000, depending on the pistons....
A stroker kit is about $1900-$2000 so incemental costs for you would only be $1K.....go stroker.
I wish they made an LSX 427 long block for $6K, I would have bought that.......but those are all like $9K+.
Having just built, and installed and tuned a 6.1L LQ9, the incremental cost for me to have gone "stroker" was about $1400. Because I bought an existing LQ9 engine I already had the crank and rods and just had to buy pistons and machine the block.
All done I think I spent like $4k for a complete long block with the cam and CNC ported heads......and assembly. I shopped and got really good prices on parts and saved about $900. TMS sells the same motor for $4900. If I had to do it again I would just buy a long block....as that $900 easily got sucked up with my time, shopping, fetching, coordinating, etc.
Am I happy? Yes the LQ9 with heads and cam is a great power upgrade...and still gets 26mpg on the highway. It has ALOT more power than the stock 5.7 did....and I can't feel the weight difference at all.
If I had it to do over again, would I stuff the LQ9 with a stroker kit? YES!
If you have to hunt down a stocker crank, rods and get pistons that will cost $800-$1000, depending on the pistons....
A stroker kit is about $1900-$2000 so incemental costs for you would only be $1K.....go stroker.
I wish they made an LSX 427 long block for $6K, I would have bought that.......but those are all like $9K+.
Last edited by fasteddy; 12-29-2013 at 03:05 AM.
12-29-2013, 11:55 AM
#16
6.0L Block w/Crank - $300
LS3 Rods and Pistons - $50
New Hastings Rings -$150
ACL Main and Rod Bearings - $200
Balancing and Turning Crank - $200
I did the machining myself, so figure another $200 to bore and hone the block.
12-29-2013, 12:10 PM
#17
A new set of 4.03 or 4.065 hyper pistons is only $350 and the LQ9 rods are fine....thats if you have them already.
The above pricing only pertains to the short block....then you need a cam (+350) and heads (+1000) and gaskets......You can put stock heads on it, but a stock bottom end with good H/C can make 450+. Which is a good deal for the $$.
If you can piece together an 6.1+ LQ9 long block for less than $3K you will be a super shopper!
Be especially careful of buying parts from the LS1Tech classified. I've been jacked here before and I've read a lot of terrible stories.....caveat emptor. I'm not saying don't do it......I still do.....just be very careful.
07-03-2014, 09:33 PM
#20
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LQ9 for locals Toledo, Ohio
I have a running, in the Truck, LQ9 (on the glove box build sheet) you can inspect and drive. 2006 Silverado Vortec Max. 81000 miles. Original owner, have all docs.
Went seasonal with the trailer (32 foot, 9200 lbs) 4 years ago. Don't need a 345 HP tow mule any more, and no desire to lay out $40K for a new truck.
Considering cashing out the LQ9 and buy a crate/low mile 5.3L.
Have EFI-Live software.....but need compatible PCM for the 4L70e if you take the brain.
Serious offers over $4K only.
billpommeranz@sbcglobal.net
I have a running, in the Truck, LQ9 (on the glove box build sheet) you can inspect and drive. 2006 Silverado Vortec Max. 81000 miles. Original owner, have all docs.
Went seasonal with the trailer (32 foot, 9200 lbs) 4 years ago. Don't need a 345 HP tow mule any more, and no desire to lay out $40K for a new truck.
Considering cashing out the LQ9 and buy a crate/low mile 5.3L.
Have EFI-Live software.....but need compatible PCM for the 4L70e if you take the brain.
Serious offers over $4K only.
billpommeranz@sbcglobal.net
