Thread: To build or not War Hawk LS7

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Well here it is, my son is home for a while for some training at great lakes naval base. He has a 2000 fire bird that he is going to build another engine for. The engine is the (War hawk LS7). He has the block aluminum 427 cu. in. heads aluminum, crank, cam, ect, ect. We have the books, but not all the tools, but he is prepare to buy them. He is aware of the suspension upgrades, brakes, exhaust, and frame. I have never built anything myself like this, and nor has he. But with some tech help and advice, I still have some concerns. I don't want to screw this up, he's already got a lot of money on the table. I have brought up professional builder a few times, he really wants to build it, and I do too. Thought I would ask some of you for your advice.

Talk to my local engine builder and I am feeling better about the build. He is going to assist us in the areas that we have questions. Thanks!

Originally Posted by TedIII

Well here it is, my son is home for a while for some training at great lakes naval base. He has a 2000 fire bird that he is going to build another engine for. The engine is the (War hawk LS7). He has the block aluminum 427 cu. in. heads aluminum, crank, cam, ect, ect. We have the books, but not all the tools, but he is prepare to buy them. He is aware of the suspension upgrades, brakes, exhaust, and frame. I have never built anything myself like this, and nor has he. But with some tech help and advice, I still have some concerns. I don't want to screw this up, he's already got a lot of money on the table. I have brought up professional builder a few times, he really wants to build it, and I do too. Thought I would ask some of you for your advice.

I would say the very first tool I would buy would be a good dial bore gauge.

My humble suggestion would be to first evaluate the goal of the project. It sounds as if someone has a lot of $$ already invested in the hard components. However, just as a novice buying a Gibson guitar doesnt make them a skilled player, buying the tools doesnt necessarily make the most horsepower.

The trick to building anything is to be able to know what your shortcomings are and to compensate correctly. For instance, you may buy a neat tool to measure the crankshaft index and you may use it correctly. But then, if the crank index is wrong, you need to know how to correct the error...perhaps the way to correct the error is to send it to a professional who does hundreds of the same process.

If engine building were as simple as a ring compressor and a torque wrench, there wouldnt be such a wide spread between the performance of two "identical" engines. The real distinguishing mark is the attention to detail and the small "tricks" developed over multiple builds.

Given that, if you are doing a street engine with no exact performance measure besides the seat of the pants, build it yourself for the enjoyment, satisfaction, learning, and frustration....you'll be a better person for it. If you are serious about the last itty bit of horsepower, your first engine is not going to come near the pros.

mike in tucson

Thanks guys, I agree, and understand. I love the fact that my son and I believes we can build the engine. I also believe there is a lot we can learn, and it is important to ask if you don't know. As far as tools, I mean specialty tools, like mics, dial indicators, and so on. I hope to keep the fustration to a minumum.

0"-1" micrometer
0"-2" micrometer
0"-3" micrometer
0"-6" dial caliper
set of snap gauges (telescoping gauges)
0"-1" dial indicator (0.100" revolution) with magnetic base
2 solid lifters for cam type used, to degree cam (cannot use hyd lifters. I have filled hyd lifters with JB weld in the past with success)
Degree wheel, larger is better.
Piston stop made from 1/4" or 3/8" X 1" steel strap. Drill holes each end to span between any two head bolts that will allow bar to cross cyl bore on #1 cyl and drill and tap hole in center of bar for bolt and nut. Use Isky positive stop method to find true TDC for cam timing and to verify TDC on harmonic damper ring at pointer.
set of checking springs (valve springs)

Read this through a couple of times....
http://www.iskycams.com/camshaft.php

Others may add to this list, but this will get you started.....

Thanks Tech,

That helps, will be back for more I'm sure.