Thread: LS question

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Dave maybe they were thinking of production cost and keeping the engine size compact versus the big wide heads needed for OHC application?

Glad to know my project has inspired you. I have seen a number of 57s with LS motors, including an LS7. They fit so nice.

Pat

Yeah, I suppose it was cost considerations.... I've got a friend who works at a large salvage yard on the lookout for an LS 7. If I can't come up with one by the time the '57 needs a working engine, GM does sell them in crate form. A tad on the expensive side, but still a lot of engine for what you spend!!!!!! Depends on how the old bank account looks by then, I suppose!

Have you seen this? If you have the $$, you can go to a GM facility in Michigan and assemble your own LS7 or LS9. CHEVROLET PERFORMANCE OFFERS BUILD YOUR OWN LS7 OR LS9 CRATE ENGINE PROGRAM : The Official Website of the Super Chevy Show

You might also consider an LS3, you know how low Corvettes sit and with that pan you may get your 57 as low as you want with out the hassle of plumbing up the dry sump. LS3 is is 6.2 liter with 430 Hp or you can opt for the hot cam version and get a little more HP all for about $7k and that comes with a GM warranty. That's 1/2 the price of the LS7.

Pat

I've seen that, Pat! Stacy did an episode on Gearz concerning the GM program, neat deal! I've looked at the LS 3 and the LS X, both are good options. Ideally I'd like to start with a used LS 7 to get the good block and dry sump system, then go with a good set of pistons and appropriate head work and camshaft to work well with a blower.... Ultimately, I want a Hot Rod version of an LS 9.... The crate engines with warranty are of course the most practical and cost efficient way to go, but then I've never been accused of being either!!! Just too much 'racer' in me yet to go with the most sensible method, I guess.

I have an LS3 with the Hot Cam....GM says 480hp. It is an estremely tractable engine....pulls from idle in high gear (but probably doesnt like it). Idles great with A/C on or off. With any injected engine/factory program map with the intake tract modified, I suggest a good remap.....it made significant difference in mine. I am anxious to get some race gas in it to see what affect that has.

mike in tucson

Originally Posted by robot

I have an LS3 with the Hot Cam....GM says 480hp. It is an estremely tractable engine....pulls from idle in high gear (but probably doesnt like it). Idles great with A/C on or off. With any injected engine/factory program map with the intake tract modified, I suggest a good remap.....it made significant difference in mine. I am anxious to get some race gas in it to see what affect that has.

mike in tucson

Thanks Mike!!!! In your opinion, with the right pistons, cam, and head work, what could your engine be making with a Whipple style supercharger on it and still remain street friendly????

I read one of the car mags saying that the LS platform is going to be the 350 of the future for the hot rodding world. It's a great piece; even the basic 5.3 LS truck engine has all forged internals, 6 bolt mains, aluminum heads that will outflow any 1st gen small block, 290hp right out of the box, and you can buy great running ones from any salvage yard for $500 or $600 bucks. That's hard to beat.

Gee Dave, I would have a tough time estimating such....i read the magazine reports of 600 hp.....and the stock GM supercharged package is pretty stout and driveable. For my car, there isnt enough tire to think about more horsepower...
These engines are cool but I still strongly suggest a competent tuner to finish it off....they are sensitive to turbulence in the intake tract (as are all engines). We tried three different MAFs, honeycomb, baffles, etc. but the final result was about 20 hours of a tuning guru's expertise. I didnt believe at first what an expert could do but he made a believer out of me.

mike

Yeah, got a guy for that. He did the tune up on the hemi I put in that '36 Plymouth that I built....It did 410 at the wheels with stock parts other then air intake and headers and the 'puter tune up!!! not too shabby for 5.7 L...

DAve---Heads and cam, your choice of what blower type package---from 600-1000, idles 850 rpm, fourth gear, 6500 rpm, 165 mph and do you really want to slap 5th and 6 th gear???

The LS pans vary by probably less than an inch--limit to ground clearance probably bell housing/flywheel-------

Originally Posted by jerry clayton

DAve---Heads and cam, your choice of what blower type package---from 600-1000, idles 850 rpm, fourth gear, 6500 rpm, 165 mph and do you really want to slap 5th and 6 th gear???

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You know I'll have to be able to pull that handle again, Jerry!!!! Cruise RPM on the interstate should make for some great mpg, and a fantastic top end should I ever decide to go someplace where it could actually be used!!!!!!

(A B-Ville 200 mph club patch is still on my bucket list!)

Me too Dave, except I want to go 300 in my Cobra with supercharged LS7---------

I even got Nickey wanting to go with me to run a Camaro---------

If I can get the licensing and the short course 175 mph passes done the first time out there I hope to learn enough to decide how fast I could really build a car to go on the long course!!!! Way things are going right now I couldn't even pass the physical to drive the short course, but hopefully things will improve!

i have a fire breathing ls i am working on now course car only dry sump engine . seem s some one did not check the rocker stand hold down bolts told him i must run it down the road for a quality check after work is done you will know when i am done fixing it you may here me running threw the gears from your house

Yep--I'm thinking I can do the preliminary stuff and get license work done up a little over 200 in my Firebird---It also shouldn't need too much in chassis work to pass tech--then can go back the next year to run the cobra---want to retate engine over 45* to the right so I can lengthen the cockpit foot box and get a more laid down driving position so just my nose up face is above cowl---------