Hey Guys,

A buddy of mine is swapping his engine his is an LS1 but now he got the chance to either replace it with another LS1 or LQ9 he cant register as he is not the internet type guy lol so am writing this for him what do u guys suggest?

 

I like the LQ9, its got more displacement. What year is it? Does he plan on building it?

 

not sure id say in the range of 2000 - 2006 and he is planning for bolt ons

 

You have to remember that the GenIII engines are not all the same. The LQ9 is taller than the LS1 and may not fit under the cowl. This is a truck motor and while it has more HP (ony 15 more) than the LS1 it is also heavier and will hinder the car's performance.

Massey

 

Massey is right. But the LQ9 will have more torque since it's made for towing. Bolt one would be very hard to get under the camaro hood. He'd be best to get a LS9 but those are very pricy but they are supercharged with over 600hp.

 

^and thats going to fit under the hood better?

 

A lot of people have done LQ9 swaps into their LS1 F-bodies. Its almost a direct swap. You would have to keep the LS1 intake manifold though, the truck one is too tall. The LQ9 is only 80lbs heavier than the LS1. I say get the LQ9 if the plan is to build the engine. If the plan is just bolt-ons, I say keep the LS1.

 

Those LS9's need way to many modifications to fit into the Camaro. It can be done, but a lot of custom fabricated parts are needed.

 

ls9 is a terrible idea unless you are a fabricator, stay ls1 it will take to the bolt ons better and you know any after market headers and stuff will fit without a problem, the lq9s stock headers will work fine but if you change them to say long tubes you could run into complications that again are going to require fabrication

 

This month's Camaro Performers mag has a 4th gen with an LS9 swap. They had to carve the cowl, lower the K member 15mm and do some other fancy fabricating of hoses and AC equips. It turned out really nice you all should check it out.

Massey