Cam and upgrade suggestions for LQ9

[stricker76]

Hey guys. Been lurking around here for awhile, and finally got some time to take a look at some upgrades for a LQ9 i have had sitting in the corner for awhile. Have a set of LS6 springs i am going to throw in it, and was wondering what cams you guys would recommend. If there is a cam that would work better but need different springs, no problem. I think i am going to put it in my 95 silverado. Also, any suggestions on intake swap. LS6, or is there a better aftermarket (not a FAST, can't afford them)? Any other bolt-ons i should do while i have the motor out (not heads). Thanks in advance!

[txarkitekt]

Are the LS6 springs the yellow or green/blue ones? I would run the yellow ones cause they can support a higher lift.
As for the cam, what are you looking to do with the motor performance-wise? There are so many different ways to run a LQ9 cam... I would say a good overall cam for a LQ9 with supporting mods would be something in the neighborhood of a 218/224 .563/.588 112 LSA. As for the intake--I'd keep the stock truck LQ9 intake. Or (if you absolutely WANT an intake) you could swap in an LS2 intake.

[02 avalanche]

I just ordered a new gm LQ9 crate motor. I think they are left over from the escalde's. Besides a cam swapout, is there anything else I need to do? I plan on a Radix with a few months of installing the engine.

[stricker76]

Want to make as much power as possible basically. Looking at the prices of ls6 intakes, been thinking about an aftermarket. These any good? I can get one at my work pretty cheap

Professional Products Online

Sold the ls6 springs, think i'm going to go with one of these cam kits...which one would you guys recommend. Planning on putting a 4l60e behind it with a stall and probably 3.42 gears.

Thunder Racing - Camshafts for your 1996-2007 GM Truck

[txarkitekt]

I just ordered a new gm LQ9 crate motor. I think they are left over from the escalde's. Besides a cam swapout, is there anything else I need to do? I plan on a Radix with a few months of installing the engine.

If you have a crate LQ9, then a 112HH would be the best Radix setup for ya. I would say something along the lines of a custom Comp cam 218/224 .563/.581 115 LSA would work sweet. Also, get yourself a Stage II Meth kit. Those are priceless!

[txarkitekt]

Want to make as much power as possible basically. Looking at the prices of ls6 intakes, been thinking about an aftermarket. These any good? I can get one at my work pretty cheap

Professional Products Online

Sold the ls6 springs, think i'm going to go with one of these cam kits...which one would you guys recommend. Planning on putting a 4l60e behind it with a stall and probably 3.42 gears.

Thunder Racing - Camshafts for your 1996-2007 GM Truck

I'd go with the 230/236 .592/.602 112 LSA cam with the PRC springs and 7.4 pushrods. Since you will have an exhaust bias, go ahead and get some Pacesetter Long Tube headers to go along...

As for the intake...you might wanna try and look at an LS2 intake. It would work better for ya.

[02 avalanche]

If you have a crate LQ9, then a 112HH would be the best Radix setup for ya. I would say something along the lines of a custom Comp cam 218/224 .563/.581 115 LSA would work sweet. Also, get yourself a Stage II Meth kit. Those are priceless!

I ordered a cam before getting your response. I called Comp and they recommended the 452-11
212/216 115lsa is that going to be ok? advertised as a 266/270 .50/.524.
Thanks for answering my earlier post.

[txarkitekt]

I ordered a cam before getting your response. I called Comp and they recommended the 452-11
212/216 115lsa is that going to be ok? advertised as a 266/270 .50/.524.
Thanks for answering my earlier post.

Hmmm....sounds small to me. That cam was designed so that you would not have to get a custom tune...hence the small cam specs. A 212/216 .520/.524 115 LSA cam is small for a LQ9 crate motor. I would call Comp back and cancel your order if it is not too late. Or have them grind it to a 218/224 .563/.581 115 LSA. Trust me, you'd be A LOT happier with that bigger cam in a crate LQ9!

[02 avalanche]

I cancelled it with summit racing, they were going to drop ship it anyway.