What supercharger to get? (and more...)

LongrangeLauber · May 16, 2012

I have a 2002 Silverado 4x4 with an LM7 currently in it. I want to put a 6.0L LQ9 (or LQ4, whichever is better suited for a supercharger) and put a supercharger on it. I have a couple questions for y'all:

1) Which 6.0L should I get, the LQ9 or the LQ4? I heard the LQ4 has a lower compression but it also has iron heads. I know the LQ9 comes with aluminum heads, but has a higher compression, which I heard is not good for forced air induction. I do plan on putting a better set of heads and camming it (if I can with a supercharger)

2) What heads and cam would work best with either the LQ9 or LQ4? I'm not looking for top performance, but definantly want better than stock.

3) I was looking at superchargers, and all claim to be the best. If anyone has any experience with any of these superchargers on a 6.0L, then please voice your opinion. The superchargers that I'm interested in are:

-Vortech

- Lysholm (A Vortech brand twin screw)

- Magnuson Magnacharger

- Kenne Bell

- Whipple Twin-Screw

I would like suggestions as to which one to get. If there is a supercharger I did not list that you believe is any good, please list it so I can check it out.

P.S.:I will be putting headers on, but they will be shortie headers because I do not want to spend any more money changing my exhaust again. What headers should I get, Banks or Gibson?

Thanks

Carder09 · May 16, 2012

It's best to contact the companies idividually so that they can better suit what your looking for. A suggestion on a cam from us could be different from what they might recommend. So give them all the info you posted above and make sure you get down to the details on what motor you are wanting etc. The cam will be decided on what supercharger and boost that you plan on runnin. And you will be spendin some serious cash depending how deep you go. And shorty headers will not benefit you at all unless your going specifically for looks. Stock mani's flow very well from what I hear.

SqwkVFR · June 5, 2012

The LQ4 will probably be cheaper to acquire, and you said your doing heads / cam anyhow, so LQ4

Shorty headers aren't worth the expense. Go long tubes or stick with factory manifolds.

It's a truck, and you want torque, and you want it down low. Get a positive displacement / roots blower. I had a maggie on a few cars and they are awesome. I'd go Magnuson. TVS1900.

As for a cam, I'd run a LPE GT2-3 and either vette "yellow" valve springs, or comp 918's. I had the GT2-3 in my GTO for a while, and it ran and drove like stock, but picked up on top end, and it's a very blower friendly cam thats not to hard on springs.

LongrangeLauber · June 12, 2012

Will these heads work?

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/pts/3062729884.html

Jennabear · October 10, 2012

The LQ4 can safely handle a little more boost than the LQ9. We have done an LQ4 swap on our 72 K5 and it is running a TVS2300 on it, we have a 6.0L TBSS and it is running a TVS1900, and a 6.0L with L92 heads on our 2003 SSS with a TVS2300. Safe to assume that we are big Magnacharger fans, as we run them on all our personal vehicles. They are the most complete kit on the market.

On that note, we do sell all of the above blower brands you have listed, and they all are great and have different aspects to them that have to be considered for your build.

Stock heads are just fine on the 6.0L, but if you are looking to upgrade, I would look into the L92s.

I would nix the headers if you are just going to go with shorties, no gains over stock.

For cam, I would go with what the other have said, and contact a cam company once you have decided on engine and blower, and tell them what you are wanting out of the cam. They should be able to recommend a good grind for you.

hzhardy · October 10, 2012

SLP was offering a free install with their charger at their NJ shop.

hogwildmike · December 12, 2012

I have a 2002 Silverado 4x4 with an LM7 currently in it. I want to put a 6.0L LQ9 (or LQ4, whichever is better suited for a supercharger) and put a supercharger on it. I have a couple questions for y'all:

1) Which 6.0L should I get, the LQ9 or the LQ4? I heard the LQ4 has a lower compression but it also has iron heads. I know the LQ9 comes with aluminum heads, but has a higher compression, which I heard is not good for forced air induction. I do plan on putting a better set of heads and camming it (if I can with a supercharger)

2) What heads and cam would work best with either the LQ9 or LQ4? I'm not looking for top performance, but definantly want better than stock.

3) I was looking at superchargers, and all claim to be the best. If anyone has any experience with any of these superchargers on a 6.0L, then please voice your opinion. The superchargers that I'm interested in are:

-Vortech

- Lysholm (A Vortech brand twin screw)

- Magnuson Magnacharger

- Kenne Bell

- Whipple Twin-Screw

I would like suggestions as to which one to get. If there is a supercharger I did not list that you believe is any good, please list it so I can check it out.

P.S.:I will be putting headers on, but they will be shortie headers because I do not want to spend any more money changing my exhaust again. What headers should I get, Banks or Gibson?

Thanks

I realize this topic/thread is kinda old.. but I figured I would chime in right quick.

I personally don't have the 6.0 in my truck, which is a 2005 Silverado 2x2 Crew-Cab with the 5.3 Vortec V8 engine. But, even though I don't have the 6.0, my 5.3 was recently crowned with a brand new 'Vortech' supercharger kit, and I can now VERY easily outrun any stock 6.0 V8. I had my truck dyno'd before and after the supercharger install. Before the install, my truck was throwing out right around 312 H.P. and around 321 .lbs of torque.. and no, those are not the stock ratings from that engine. I was putting out those numbers prior to the supercharger install because I had other modifications done months before I purchased the supercharger and had it installed. But now, with the supercharger, plus all the other mods I've had installed on my 5.3 - I'm now throwing out right at 437.32 H.P. (to the rear wheels) and 509 .LBS of torque.

Now, with those high horsepower/torque ratings.. I then had to (well, didn't technically HAVE to..but thought it was smart) have the transmission beefed up a little bit to handle the extra torque and horsepower.

That's one thing most people don't think about before they go off and purchase/install a supercharger or turbo onto their engine. They don't realize that the stock transmission (and sometimes even the rear-end) is built at the factory to withstand the stock horsepower that the engine puts out. So, I just thought I would point that fact out.. that you should also keep your transmission in mind and possibly your rear-end.

Also, I also went ahead and installed a CST Performance drive-shaft.. which is much lighter than the stock driveshaft.

Not trying to scare you away from purchasing a supercharger.. I'm just saying make sure you have everything thought out before you consider ordering one.

Happy holidays everyone!!

-Mike

Chris · December 12, 2012

I will be getting a TVS1900 or a Edelbrock charger for my 6.0. I'm putting 325 HP and probably 360ish ft lbs to the wheels. That's on a stock LQ9 with intake tube, cat-back, and a custom tune.

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BlackZ71Silverado · December 13, 2012

^^^^^^^^^

Better upgrade that transmission while your at it. You will wish you did if you don't do it. You're pushing it now with the 6L.

Chris · December 13, 2012

Tranny is the next thing to do. After that is a brake kit, then blower. Later down the road after I get a new DD, Ill do heads and a nice cam.

BlackZ71Silverado · December 13, 2012

Yoy should do the internal engine work BEFORE the supercharger gets installed. That way you only need it tuned properly and installed 1 time. Should haul some ass after that!

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Chris · December 13, 2012

I'll do the supercharger first possibly. Not sure. I'm going to have it stroked to 408 and go with a forged rotating assembly after I get a new DD

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11hennesseysilverado · February 14, 2013

big name tuners use the magnacharger. just an opinion for what its worth, i own a hennessey performance engineering enhanced 6.2 with the tvs1900 and love it ! callaway performance has their own truck as well, the 540sc and it uses the tvs1900. 3 words from me; FUN TO DRIVE.

superchargedss · February 14, 2013

I'll do the supercharger first possibly. Not sure. I'm going to have it stroked to 408 and go with a forged rotating assembly after I get a new DD

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Heck of a way to drop five figures! Can't wait to see the outcome.