Barney3

The motor in my Camaro went out and I'm thinking about a new motor. I have $2000-3000 to spend and I would like to get about 400+ rwhp n/a. Any ideas on setups and tuning options.

Need4Camaro

Easiest thing to do, buy a used LQ4 / LQ9 truck motor and swap over all your LS1 Accessories, Intake, Wiring and then throw on L92 heads and you're easily at 400 RWHP

LQ4's can cost about $1,200 and the heads are about $1,200 too so $2,400 and you're at 400RWHP on a newer / stronger engine.

If you go LQ4 you can boost later on but you wont make as much power N/A as a LQ9.

The LQX motors are basically Iron LS1's and are the same physical dimensions, have the same bolt patterns with the exception that you have to tap / drill an alternator bolt.

They might be slightly heavier but mod for mod will absolutely slaughter LS1's

Edit - Btw I forgot you will need either an LS3 or L76 intake with the L92 heads.

Barney3

I was planning on boosting it and would like to get 400hp right now and add more later on. since I dont want to change engines 4 or 5 times which would be better lq4, 383 stroker, or a 408 with minor upgrades. I was also told that the lq4 and lq9 were not good for a bunch of boost because they weren't forged. do you know anything about this.

Need4Camaro

dont waste your time on the 383, the 408 makes alot more power for almost the same price. It depends on what you want though. Obviously the LQ4 is going to be more reliable under boost than the 408 is (less rotational mass) but the 408 is going to make a good bit more power, although a boosted LQ4 will FAR from dissapoint you as you should easily be up in the 600 HP range under boost.

Now if you want N/A now and boost later I would go LQ4... btw if you only have a budget of $3k...you're not getting a 408 for that...

Barney3

Thanks for the advice but I have one last question. What kind of transmission should I run if I am going to run a turbo. Also what size turbo kit should I use and what brand.

Need4Camaro

once again depends on what you want. Either way you're ganna have to beef up the trans if you're ganna turbo. Another thing is your rear end, it's not going to take the abuse of a 600 HP motor for long at all so you're ganna need a 12 bolt or a 9"

Either trans will be fine as long as they're strengthened up a bit... Auto's are always more predictable.

As for turbo's, the forced induction section would be a better advocate for that.

Barney3

-thanks, would it be better if i ran a ls9 clutch and flywheel or the stock ls1.

rod442

does the ls9 clutch work in an f-body? how much is one?

and really, if your going to go turbo eventually; neither of those options is that great. the ls1 shouldn't even be on the table.

I know the zr1's are rated at 638hp, and Im sure the clutches are decent; but if your going FI in a heavier f-body; get a clutch that will last. and will hold more tq. the Zr1 makes less tq than hp, and a LSx turbo car will usually make MORE tq than hp. so you see the issue.

Ive been happy with my spec stg 4, but some people have had problems with em.

looks like a company that makes an ls9 kit to work in an f-body is at around 1500? very pricey. other twin disks are a bit cheaper. textralia used to be a good one. 12-1300?

ls9 is more than 1500. damn. http://ls1tech.com/forums/manual-tra...-body-gto.html

Need4Camaro

The stock LS1 clutch will melt like a M&M under your foot with that kind of power. The LS9 clutch will probably handle the abuse for quite awhile but it is a good idea to go aftermarket unless you really want the LS9 clutch for drivability concerns.

Keep the stock flywheel. Going lighter makes launching much worse due to less rotational mass.