Probably neither of the default exporters will make use of the normals. However, all versions of Blender can export the true, unmodified normals with a simple change in the script. This is what I did to get Sunflow and Radium to render the true-normal.

I need to update my code and get Blender 2.5X importing, rendering, and exporting properly. But who has the time?

Providing I use your 2.49 exe plus your lwo import script, if I export using the bundled 2.49 obj export script, will it export the "true normals" or will it recalculate them? Do I have to enable both "Normals" and "HQ Normals" or just one?

If it does recalculate the normals on obj export, what would I have to change?

Thanks so much!

Yes anthony please take the time to update your code
...for Blender 2.6 (incoming) !

1. In export_obj.py, change line 413 from "me.calcNormals()" to "pass #me.calcNormals()"
2. Import with import_moi.py
3. Edit your object: add/edit UVs, materials, taxtures, etc. Do not apply modifiers or move a vertex/face!
4. Export to OBJ and enable the Normals button.
5. Leave the HQ button off as it doesn't really calculate any high quality normals, it simply recalculates them.

Make sure your application/renderer will read the normals from the OBJ file (the lines that start with "vn") and actually use them instead of recalculating them.

Now it works! Again, thousand thanks for laying this out! Maybe your post should be linked from the wiki?