Hey guys,

Amazing site. Thanks for all the info.

I have a chance to grab a LQ4 or LQ9 with 4L80E to swap Into my 69 cutlass 442. I have a freshly built 455 and th400 in it right now, but have had the urge to **** the purists off and go LS.

The gas prices out here in BC Canada are ridiculous...almost $1.70/ltr. So was thinking of building myself a high HP budget savvy LS that would he better on fuel consumption. I have been reading alot of threads and still cant decide. Which one of the 2 are better to upgrade for more power? What intake, heads, cam would you recommend going with on either platform?

Thanks guys,

 

They're almost identical, with the LQ9 having flat top pistons while the LQ4 has dished.

 

Thanks Joe.

Change of plans,

I just purchased a LS1 out of a 2002 Corvette. It will be going Into my 69 442. The first thing g on my list is to freshen it up...springs, rockers, cam, gaskets etc.

Which cam would you guys recommend to get the most out of the LS1, also any particular Rockers and spring you would recommend?
Also is there a stock LS intake that would help the motor breathe better?

Also I will be keeping my BOP TH400 behind the LS. I had it built up tough last year, probably has 500 km's on it.

Thanks

 

Fuel mileage is more about gears than anything else. You want overdrive to get decent mileage. Swapping in a 4l60e matched to the LS1 will make things go much easier electronics wise and give you a better experience anytime you're cruising over 45 mph. In reality the 455 could get halfway decent mileage with overdrive and highway gears in the rear.

 

LQ9 would have had more potential than the LS1. More displacement, more compression with the same head, ability to use rectangle port heads.

The BOP transmission can be used with an adapter plate.
I wouldn't swap out the rockers. Rockers are more of an 'as needed' upgrade on the LS for cams with .630+ lift, or a solid roller, etc.
Roller rockers are heavier and usually show a loss on the dyno when used in setups that don't actually NEED them.

Factory gen 4 truck intake flows better than any of the car intakes, if itll fit under your hood.

 

Good luck

 

There really isn't a "best cam" for a LS1. It's all about what you consider streetable, where you want the power etc. If you go with a huge cam, your low end power will suffer. Personally and this is just my opinion, but you can't go wrong with a Texas speed 224r cam or even the 228r. They are proven streetable cams that depending on the LSA you get, will have a nice little slope and make power everywhere. You said this cutlass is an auto? I would get a converter for it as well. The rockers don't need to be replaced, but I'd get the trunnion upgrade. I'd also get a new timing chain(cheap route would be LS2) and either a Ls6 oil pump or a ported stock pump. Just piece of mind when doing a cam swap. If you're going with a huge cam, keep in mind that you'll be changing valve springs or at least checking them more often. That's why I recommended the 224r or 228r cams. You can hit close to 400rwhp with just the cam and some long tubes. Also find a LS6 intake, search around and you could find one used for only like 3-400 bucks.