ls1 or lq9 which one???

[mike w.]

i have a choice to make between a fresh rebuilt ls1 with 243 heads and better cam or a fresh lq9 with a better cam, going in my 67 nova with a 4l60 tranny, both roughly same money, are there any pros and cons to either, ? i dont want to race it but as usual want decent performance but a good driver is first priority, i need advice/opinions as to what may be best as i have no preference either way at the moment.

[Flash68]

Not even close. Take the LQ9. Strong iron block and compatible with the amazing L92 heads that flow 330cfm out of the box for under $1000. LQ9 can be safely taken out to big 400+ cubes at any time as well.

[mike w.]

those heads may take me over budget for now though, with stock heads is the lq9 still better?

[hifi875]

yes

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

Lq9

[garys 68]

The only downside to the LQ9 is the 80 lbs extra. Used LQ9s are typically half the price of LS1s. Most came in Escalades, no one ever towed, plowed snow, or ran an Escalade too hard. The LQ9 bore is suited for L92 heads and even increased bore size. Better low end torque.

[killer67]

lq9 every day. bored .005 over and 4 in stroke - you have a killer engine if you ever want to upgrade. I have L92 heads with 17,000 miles off my L76 I never pulled off if you are interested.

[mike w.]

thanks guys, i am going to speak to my engine guy to swing him the lq9 way, i know it weighs more but my my nova is over 100lbs lighter on the front than stock so it wont be that much of a problem,

[mike w.]

By the way, killer67, what is a set of these heads worth?

[WS6]

The only advantage the LS1 has in this choice is its lighter weight, period. Take the 9 and don't worry about it being cast iron. It holds the most potential like everyone else has mentioned.

[hifi875]

this is the first thread with everyone in agreement. WOW

[WS6]

I disagree with the above statement :)

[killer67]

By the way, killer67, what is a set of these heads worth?

$525 + shipping if you think that is a fair price. With a good port job you will get 360 CFM intake, 280 CFM exhaust. You can mill the heads to raise compression

[blackfoot2004]

Do you still have those heads...still interested in selling?

[badazz81z28]

I know this is an old thread, but are you factoring the addtional cost of the car intake/F-body accesories that you will need on top of the LQ9? I'm kind on the same boat here. The LY6s and LQ9s seems to be in the hood of ~$3000, but you still needs to buy the compatibility parts and power adders.

[garys 68]

Depends on the car. The OP has a Nova. The truck accessories and intake seem to fit in Novas, A bodies, etc. Most cars do seem to have problems with AC compressor clearance, but that's true of fbody or truck.
On my 442 I swapped out the intake for an LS since I wasnt sure of hood clearance but used the truck accessories with a Kwik bracket for the AC.


I know this is an old thread, but are you factoring the addtional cost of the car intake/F-body accesories that you will need on top of the LQ9? I'm kind on the same boat here. The LY6s and LQ9s seems to be in the hood of ~$3000, but you still needs to buy the compatibility parts and power adders.

https://static1.pt-content.com/images/pt/2011/04/DSCN0272-1.jpg

[68vert]

I'd take a good ol iron block LQ9 over a LS1 also. Just the ability to rebore the thing over trying to find someone to resleeve an aluminum block has me sold even with the weight penalty.

As far as driving Escalades and Denalis hard. My brother tows a 21ft ski boat with his Denali and replaced it with an Escalade cause he just plain wore out the Denali towing his boat with all his friends and family.