LQ4/9 vs. LY6

[srh3trinity]

So, I have been sliding down the slippery slope of LS motors. I bought some stuff for a 5.3L buildup. I got an LS1 heads, cam and intake for a steal. I decided to go a different route, so I sold all of that for a small profit. I started thinking about an LQ4 build. Then I thought about an LQ4 with L92 heads and an LS3 intake. So I followed some ebay ads and picked up an LS3 intake for cheap. Looking at the prices of LQ4's vs. LY6's and the power potential, it is a difficult decision which way to go. LY6 has the better heads, but from what I have read, they are very difficult to tune/cam swap given the VVT. I also understand that you can use an older ECM and get away from the VVT, but I am still researching all of that. Which way would you go if you were starting from scratch with an LS3 intake and F-body accessory drive as the only parts sitting on the shelf?

[srh3trinity]

Anybody? I guess I will post up on LS1tech.com. I thought I would start over here. The LY6 doesn't get as much play, but it looks like a solid performer.

[gkring]

LY6 has the better L92/LS3 heads and will fit the intake you already bought. Everyone changes cams anyway, so just ditch the VVT stuff. If you go with a LQ9 it is a gen III engine and still uses a LS1 or LS2 style intake manifold and is a good performer. Since you are talking about putting L92 heads on the LQ4 just skip the step and go LY6.

[Jake's Performance]

You can get rid of the VVT easily on a LY6. I think it is a positive aspect of the engine, and it's tuneable, so worth keeping.

I have a LY6 going into a '73 Camaro in the shop now.
We deleted VVT at the customer's request, installed a performance cam, and LS3 intake.

I have new LY6 crate engines for very reasonable prices.
Give us a call if you have any questions.

[srh3trinity]

I have been doing more research. With the L76 intake, do you have to change the lifter valley pan? It looks like a VVT cam swap and a tune and you are in the promised land of horsepower. I have read in a few threads that they are a little difficult to tune. What do you recommend for an accessory drive. I have an f-body setup, but it looks like you need spacers for everything to work correctly.

Care to share any pricing on LY6's?

[Jake's Performance]

$3000 for a new LY6 crate engine as shown on my website.

The F-body accys work fine, you need an F body crank damper/pulley.
You also have to drill/tap a hole for the alt bracket.

We used the LS3 intake with the stock valley cover.

[FN_FAST]

I'm not really understanding what is so hard to tune about the LY6... The vvt can be disabled if you don't want to deal with it. Other then that its just a matter of selecting a cam that is designed to work with the rectangular port ls3 heads. Early on they were "hard" to tune to make power, but that was because people were using the specs that had been proven to work well in the cathedral headed (ls1/ls6/ls2) motors. the newer ls3 specific stuff should be fine. If you are going to tune it yourself jump on hptuners website and start reading now. there are lots of examples you can look at to see what all needs to be changed and can get you in the ball park for start-up. if you are sending it off just check out the tuning forum on ls1tech and pick a sponsor. if you are unsure feel free to pm me and i can recomend a shop to you. I'm new here, but have been in the late model game for quite some time, lol

[68Formula]

I saw an article in HPP where guy knocked off nearly 3 tenths turning on his VVT. Found it: http://www.highperformancepontiac.co...ers/page2.html

Mast Motorsports could probably help with the setup and tune:
http://www.mastmotorsports.com/2010/

[srh3trinity]

I'm not really understanding what is so hard to tune about the LY6... The vvt can be disabled if you don't want to deal with it. Other then that its just a matter of selecting a cam that is designed to work with the rectangular port ls3 heads. Early on they were "hard" to tune to make power, but that was because people were using the specs that had been proven to work well in the cathedral headed (ls1/ls6/ls2) motors. the newer ls3 specific stuff should be fine. If you are going to tune it yourself jump on hptuners website and start reading now. there are lots of examples you can look at to see what all needs to be changed and can get you in the ball park for start-up. if you are sending it off just check out the tuning forum on ls1tech and pick a sponsor. if you are unsure feel free to pm me and i can recomend a shop to you. I'm new here, but have been in the late model game for quite some time, lol

Thanks for the reply. I have read up on the engines and the VVT, now that I think back, alot of the references to the VVT being difficult to tune were when the engines were first coming out and the cams were starting to come out. So, people are probably getting better at tuning with the VVT now.

[daytonayellaz]

Stephen.... I have sold several L92 motors here and all have vvt and I agree is worth keeping. I have a great L92 with LOW miles if you wanna go 6.2 all aluminum motor.

[srh3trinity]

Stephen.... I have sold several L92 motors here and all have vvt and I agree is worth keeping. I have a great L92 with LOW miles if you wanna go 6.2 all aluminum motor.

Thanks for the offer, but I think the LY6 will fit into my budget better. Unless you are selling off the L92 for what I have seen LY6's for. I think the LY6 with a VVT cam swap will be the way I am going to go. I have definitely ruled out the LQ4/9 setup that I was initially thinking about. I scored an L76 intake for cheap, so I am committed to a square port head now.

Side note, I am hopefully going to look at a project car on Friday if it is still there, so everybody keep your fingers crossed for me.

[70TWO NOVA]

my buddy built an LQ4 with L92s, LS3 intake and a comp cam (226/230, .598/.600, 112LSA) and that thing runs like a champ! We are thinking 450-500 at the flywheel

[daytonayellaz]

Thanks for the offer, but I think the LY6 will fit into my budget better. Unless you are selling off the L92 for what I have seen LY6's for. I think the LY6 with a VVT cam swap will be the way I am going to go. I have definitely ruled out the LQ4/9 setup that I was initially thinking about. I scored an L76 intake for cheap, so I am committed to a square port head now.

Side note, I am hopefully going to look at a project car on Friday if it is still there, so everybody keep your fingers crossed for me.

Good luck on scoring on the project car! I can get you a LY6 if thats what you want. PM me if you want.

[DC454]

Stephen.... I have sold several L92 motors here and all have vvt and I agree is worth keeping. I have a great L92 with LOW miles if you wanna go 6.2 all aluminum motor.

How much for the L92?

[daytonayellaz]

How much for the L92?

I just listed this one..... Has the 6-speed auto trans included. I have another one with out trans that I was actually refering to above and have not listed yet....I have sold 6 of them on here and all for 3900. all complete as the link below, just less the trans.

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=68742

[srh3trinity]

Looks like I will be going with the VVT when I do this swap. I just scored a Comp Cams VVT stick with new springs and a Cam phaser on eBay.