Quote Originally Posted by Vicinity View Post
FI = Forced Induction (SC or Turbo)
NA = Naturally Aspirated (Cubic Inches, Raw Motor)

I'd go with the LQ9, if you ever add a turbo, swap the heads to raise lower compression to whatever you need. LQ9's run about $1k used on ebay, $2.5k rebuild.
The only difference between the LQ9 and LQ4 is the pistons. LQ4 has dished and LQ9 has flat tops, heads are the same. Compression on a LQ4 is around 9.4 and LQ9 is 9.9. You could still run a turbo on a LQ9 but you wouldn't be able to run as much boost as the LQ4 due to the overall compression ratio or dynamic CR. It's the age old question: Higher CR and less boost, or lower CR and more boost.

I would go with the LQ4 since they are cheaper to begin with. To reach those HP goals, you're going to probably want to go forged internals anyway. Get a couple T-76's (turbos) on there and make your 800rwhp.

The other option would be to get the LQ9, forged internals, nasty cam, worked heads and spray the piss out of it. Just depends on what you prefer.