which LS to choose

2578 Views 14 Replies 10 Participants Last post by 72LS, Aug 30, 2012

72LS

Discussion Starter · Jul 27, 2012

ok I'm building a 72 nova pro touring, and have got it down to a LQ9 or 5.3l.
I'm planning on running a single turbo. which is more compatible with interchanging heads, cams, and so on with the new LS models. i eventually will put a LS3 in when i can afford to, so i would like to just transfer over the turbo system without to much trouble.

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63LSWagon

· #2 · Jul 28, 2012

Go with the LQ9. Transferring the turbo over to either the 6.0L or the 5.3L is going to be equally as difficult/easy since both are esentially the same engine with the only major difference being the displacement. Externally they are the same. The LS3 is a different animal all together.

It's like saying should I go with a 350 or a 383..I eventually want to swap in a big block.

Go with the 6.0L...I think you will be happy with the power it will make.

edit: someone correct me if im wrong but i believe you can put ls3 heads on the 6.0L since it has a 4" bore, but not the 5.3.

novanutcase

· #3 · Jul 28, 2012

63LSWagon said:
Go with the LQ9. Transferring the turbo over to either the 6.0L or the 5.3L is going to be equally as difficult/easy since both are esentially the same engine with the only major difference being the displacement. Externally they are the same. The LS3 is a different animal all together.

It's like saying should I go with a 350 or a 383..I eventually want to swap in a big block. Go with the 6.0L...I think you will be happy with the power it will make.

edit: someone correct me if im wrong but i believe you can put ls3 heads on the 6.0L since it has a 4" bore, but not the 5.3.

:yes:

John

68steiny

· #4 · Aug 19, 2012

I agree, go with an LQ9, I picked up an LY6 for cheap. Those 5.3s can be found quickly for cheap, but you have to be patient with the bigger motors...but they can be found.

Nova 404

· #5 · Aug 19, 2012

If your going to run boost on a 6.0 the LQ9 has fairly high compression,LQ4 would be a better choice at 9.6-1 comp.LS3 has differnent heads than the LQ series and the LS3 is 11.0 -1 compression.Not sure if you doing a build or planning on a stock short block.

sixty4sedan

· #6 · Aug 19, 2012

What are you looking to get as far as power and what size turbo are you going to run? There are numerous 5.3s in my area that are bone stock pushing over 800hp with a t76 if your looking for more than that Id do lq4

72LS

Discussion Starter · #7 · Aug 29, 2012

thanks for the help guys. but ended up finding a short block LS6 on craigslist for $300 out of a 2004 CTS-V and he has some LS3 heads that i might bpick up to top it off.

63LSWagon

· #8 · Aug 29, 2012

It's my understanding that the LS3 heads require a 4" bore. The LS6 is 3.898".

klean63

· #9 · Aug 29, 2012

63LSWagon said:
It's my understanding that the LS3 heads require a 4" bore. The LS6 is 3.898".

:yes::yes:

72LS

Discussion Starter · #10 · Aug 29, 2012

forgot to mention it will be getting bored and stroked most likely a 383 kit so the heads should work fine. but thanks for the info.

Professor Fate

· #11 · Aug 30, 2012

You can't bore an LS6 big enough to fit LS3 heads unless you are planning on putting in new cylinder sleeves, which is a fairly expensive project.

72LS

Discussion Starter · #12 · Aug 30, 2012

Professor Fate said:
You can't bore an LS6 big enough to fit LS3 heads unless you are planning on putting in new cylinder sleeves, which is a fairly expensive project.

thanks for the heads up. i was looking at the 427 sleeve kit being one cylinder has a cracked piston and might be some cylinder damage. but yes it will cost more than just getting a new block.

CRUISIN'73

· #13 · Aug 30, 2012

Read Up

72LS. Great project idea, but it sounds like a little LS 101 would go a long way on your project and avoiding costly mistakes. When I started my 5.3 swap I picked these up:

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/Modify-LS-Series-Engines-Motorbooks-Workshop/dp/0760335435/ref=pd_sim_b_1[/ame]

[ame]http://www.amazon.com/How-Build-High-Performance-Chevy-V-8s/dp/1884089844[/ame]

I found them both very helpful and informative. Good luck with you project!

79 Camaro

· #14 · Aug 30, 2012

Just a note. I have a sleeved and stroked LS 427 in my 67. It was a LS2 block. Steve at RED did the sleeving. It runs well. Check with him but as I recall the LS6 block is a poor choice for sleeving due to windows in the main web area. ERL also specializes in sleeving. LS2 casting is a little different in regards to the water jacket that allows a dry sleeve instead of a wet sleeve. Check to see if either company reccomends a turbo application after sleeving.

72LS

Discussion Starter · #15 · Aug 30, 2012

CRUISIN'73 said:
72LS. Great project idea, but it sounds like a little LS 101 would go a long way on your project and avoiding costly mistakes. When I started my 5.3 swap I picked these up:

http://www.amazon.com/Modify-LS-Series-Engines-Motorbooks-Workshop/dp/0760335435/ref=pd_sim_b_1

http://www.amazon.com/How-Build-High-Performance-Chevy-V-8s/dp/1884089844

I found them both very helpful and informative. Good luck with you project!

i know. i just ordered a ls build book and have started doing alot more research on ls1tech.

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