what is an lc9
03-20-2018, 08:03 AM
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what is an lc9 New to all the ls lingo. I have an engine out of a 2008 Silverado 1500. 8th digit is a 3. Through some research found that it is a lc9 engine. When I do research nothing is out there on an lc9. It is a 5.3l all aluminum block. It does have 243 heads. My question is when looking for camshafts pistons etc. Is this an ls1 ls2 etc etc. Apologize in advance if this is a dumb question
03-20-2018, 08:19 AM
#4
LC9 is gen 4 aluminum 5.3L with flex-fuel. They came in '07-'14 4wd trucks & SUV's. Power was rated at 315 hp and 335 tq. They came with VVT (variable valve timing) starting around 2010.
The engine has 3.78" bore and typical 3.622" stroke (shared with most LS engines). So no, the pistons will not be the same as the LS1 or LS2. LS1 has 3.9" bore, LS2 has 4.0" bore. But the LC9 has a max overbore of 0.128", so it can be bored up to 3.908" max bore to accept an LS1 piston. Here's a link that has a guide indicating max overbore for multiple LS engines. http://www.hotrod.com/articles/max-o...for-ls-blocks/
Also LC9 and LS1 have different timing gears. LC9 is a single bolt cam, LS1 has 3 bolt cam. Here's a link that shows differences in LS cam gears and reluctor wheels if your not familiar. LC9 has the "type A" cam gear and 58x reluctor wheel. https://www.ls2.com/forums/showthrea...eels-Explained
The engine has 3.78" bore and typical 3.622" stroke (shared with most LS engines). So no, the pistons will not be the same as the LS1 or LS2. LS1 has 3.9" bore, LS2 has 4.0" bore. But the LC9 has a max overbore of 0.128", so it can be bored up to 3.908" max bore to accept an LS1 piston. Here's a link that has a guide indicating max overbore for multiple LS engines. http://www.hotrod.com/articles/max-o...for-ls-blocks/
Also LC9 and LS1 have different timing gears. LC9 is a single bolt cam, LS1 has 3 bolt cam. Here's a link that shows differences in LS cam gears and reluctor wheels if your not familiar. LC9 has the "type A" cam gear and 58x reluctor wheel. https://www.ls2.com/forums/showthrea...eels-Explained
Last edited by R6cowboy; 03-20-2018 at 08:36 AM.
03-20-2018, 08:55 AM
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Seems it may be kind of an odd ball engine or a pita to build. Would I be better off trying to acquire something different? plan was forced induction probably turbo. working the 243 head larger cam head stud. 600hp was goal
03-20-2018, 09:16 AM
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A stock LC9 will do 600 HP with a turbo without breaking a sweat. They're been pushed to almost twice that more and more frequently.
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03-20-2018, 09:27 AM
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Like I said previously, new to the ls stuff. I am very mechanically inclined however when it comes to specs and building a performance engine I have never done it. how much boost can these handle stock? any good build threads I can go off of
03-20-2018, 09:34 AM
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As long as you find someone who has experience tuning a turbo LS engine, it'll last...
Boost doesn't equal power, never ever measure strength by boost.
