hotcorner216

So Im totally lost w/ what I want...some ppl say LS2, some say LS1....Im looking to build a classic daily driver (1964-1972), I want a 1967-69 Camaro but I dont think thats in my price range right now so im probably leaning towards a 70 Trans-Am, Id like to get 28+ mpg highway (or as close as possible to it), manual tranny and reliability. It wont be my daily driver forever so id like to TRY and put something in there I can put a low boost procharger system on later or some type of forced induction, id like to have a 350-400hp daily driver w/ a potential 500hp car in the future....

Now, what motor should I go with? will a stock LS1 handle that w/ out dumping a ton of money into it? would it be cheaper to build a 5.3L to take that power? Should I just forget the LS1 and 5.3L and go with an LS2? Used block and just change rods and pistons?

Id prob be going w/ a T56 M6 (other good options?)

mind you, key points, Good MPGs, decently fast, Power potential.

I manage and run a shop w/ a buddy of mine so I dont really have a cost for labor, and get most parts at wholesale cost. I do most of the office work/small repairs, my partner is the head technician so id like some other opinions too.

Thanks!

schreurs1

Are you budget minded or is cost not much of an option?

Personally I think LS1s are overpriced and you can buy a junkyard 5.3 for dirt cheap and they are all over the place. You can make it a 350-400hp motor with pretty simple bolt ons and still have a good foundation when you decide to turbo it. A stock bottom end should be able to handle the future 500+ hp that you want but it wouldn't hurt to put a set of rod bolts in it and check the bearings. Slap a set of heads, LS6 intake, and a good cam and you should be able to turn out some decent power, drivability, and maybe some mpgs without much money invested. JMO

hotcorner216

[QUOTE=schreurs1;17777676]Are you budget minded or is cost not much of an option?

Im willing to spend about 5-6k on the engine, Id like to keep it as cost effective as possible of course, whatever I dont spend on the car itself, engine and tranny id like to go into suspension.

I think I will go with the 5.3L, what manual tranny goes well with that motor?

Burken01

iTrader: (88)

Either ls1 or 5.3, whatever you can get cheaper I suppose..

Both can handle 500-600 just fine with proper supporting mods..

Or even a 6 liter block is a good foundation.. And you can make a forged 370-408 down the line for a killer budget setup that can take a shitload of power..

wildcamaro

iTrader: (15)

If you got some $ to spend...look at Thompson motorsports they have good deals on short/longblocks...

2000PewterT/A

^^^^^^X2, if you don't want to or aren't comfortable with building your own engine thats the way to go, and Thompson has some great prices that can fit most budgets.

garygnu

also look at Texas Speed for ls engines .you can find a used 5.3 for $500.a 5.3 can make close to 400rwhp with all the right parts .lq4 ,a low compression 6.0 is great for boost .

nascarnate326

iTrader: (1)

5.3 FTW.

This is a local guy here in Michigan. 5.3 out of a truck with some LS1 parts

KCS

iTrader: (20)

Getting good fuel economy and making power are two things that kind of work against eachother. I would think the best route would be to find an LS1 shortblock, use a stock cam or even an LS6 cam, and top it off with some decent heads. Then put a T56 behind it with a mid to low 3.xx rear gear and voila! Here is why:

The extra cubic inches of the LS1 will help make more overall power, which I believe is critical in a street car. I drive a gutless 4 cylinder Camry to work everyday and having to buzz that bitch to 4000RPM just to pass is annoying. My Trans Am, however, makes 400ft-lbs at 3000RPM, so I can usually leave it in whatever gear I'm cruising in and just press the throttle a little more.

The LS1 is also lighter than the iron blocks, which is pretty much a win-win scenario as the weight will help fuel economy and accelerate the car faster for a given power. Sometimes the LS1 blocks are a little difficult to find without a cracked sleeve, so an aluminum 5.3L bores to an LS1 bore size would work as well.

The stock cam, obviously, has very little overlap and will keep the fuel economy in check, especially for city miles, but the good heads will make a significant bump in power to reach your goal in that department. A simple valve job and bowl work should be all that you need, but if you were to use bigger valves, that would be all the better. With the bigger valve, each lift point has more "curtain area" for the air to flow through, making a small cam seem bigger as far as the engine is concerned.

The double overdrive of the T56 combined with a conservative rear gear will be the biggest influence on fuel mileage. I know of guys that put 454ci LSX engines in their cars with the T56 and a mid 3.xx gear and report 24-25 MPG on the highway.

These are just my suggestions. There are many ways to skin as cat, as the saying goes, so its up to you. It's your car and your build and half the fun is dreaming up the crazy **** you want to do with it.

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

The LS1 commands a premium price for mediocre heads and the second worst intake made for this platform second worst only to the FWD 5.3L intake.
Get a late model 5.3L from a truck and you get LS6 heads and an intake that is better than the LS1 intake Not all cars have room for it though.
A LQ4 or LQ9 has low compression heads that have ports the same as LS6 heads. Likely half the price or less than a true LS1.

Granted the LS1 is an aluminum block for weight savings, but really that is the only thing it has going for it.

wildcamaro

iTrader: (15)

Late model 5.3 should already have ls6 (799,243) heads...an lq9 will likely command the same premium as an ls1...just pound craigslist for deals, that's the best budget oriented way to go in my eyes...like mentioned a 5.3 with the right parts will make same power as a stock ls1...so choices are either to pay up or become a craigslist/ ebay vulture lol