Wes_70ss

I am planning an LS/A4 swap in my 70 Chevelle. Does this setup seem to deliver the 450hp I'm seeking?

- stock rebuilt LS1 with stock internals and oil pan
- stock LS 6 heads (799/243)
- stock LS 6 intake and TB
- stock LS 6/9 cam
- headers

It seems I can save $$$ by starting with the LS1 and just do a clean up and rering on it, then search for the stock LS 6 parts to help me achieve the HP.

I guess I'm looking for your thoughts on this setup and maybe other ideas. I need to be as inexpensive as possible to keep wifey toned down 😀

Thanks!

Fry_

If you use a GMPP Hot cam instead of the LS6 cam then that would might put you close to 450hp at the flywheel.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

450rw isnt going to be cheap.


while im not against an auto thats going to use up some power also.

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

450 rwhp or fwhp?? Pretty big difference

Wes_70ss

Thanks for the response guys! I'm thinking 450fwhp should get me close to 400rwhp with an auto. I haven't bought anything yet, feel free to advise on other options that may cost the same or less!

LLLosingit

iTrader: (4)

If you're not set on the aluminum block ls1 then I would look at a 6.0. I own four now and two of them I paid $500 and $600 each. One has around 120,000 and the other has 140,000 but I was able to hear them run before buying. The only thing I plan on doing to them is change timing chain and oil pump and replace gaskets. I could change the cam and mill the heads and have a pretty stout engine for around $1200 total. Not the best way to look at it but if I run the **** out of it and it hurt it then I'm not out that much and I can just drop another in.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

might i recommend some ARP ROD bolts.

LLLosingit

iTrader: (4)

I don't see many NA motor breaking rod bolts but that's a cheap upgrade as long as you don't have to machine the rods because of the new bolts, Some say you have to do it with ARP bolts but not Katech I don't have any experience with either on stock rods.

I also have a problem doing it half assed so it's either very little or go all out.

I am building a 6-71 408 that other than the block itself it all aftermarket.
Callies crank and rods/ Wiseco pistons/ FTI cam/ Morel lifters/ ported AFR heads/ Katech billet mains/ BDS intake and blower/ 16 66lb injectors and so on but I also have over 10 grand in it and still have a to buy the Holley EFI to run it What started out as a mild build ballooned when I saw someone listing some parts and I just couldn't see having great parts on only part of the build.
What started out as a stock LS based engine with an old school 6-71 blower for a cool 51 Chevy 5 window build turned into a 1,000hp long term project

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

isnt that how it always goes?

you end up spending more than planned. then you either have **** that breaks or needs upgrading and you decide to say **** it and want more and more power.

Wes_70ss

I could be wrong, but researching tells me an LS1 block with 243 LS6 heads, LS6 top end with an LS9 cam will produce better HP/TQ vs an LS2 block with 317 LS2 heads? Can you put LS6 243 heads on an LS2?

I should also mention that I will never spray but in a few years would like to boost or SC. So right know, I want to build a rock solid 450fwhp street mannered motor. Again, that was my design thought based on research, if you guys have another, less expensive way please share or give me your opinion on my design

Fry_

LS2's came with 243 heads. A better approach may be to state your budget and people can give you some suggestions on the best combo you can afford.

Wes_70ss

Hmmm, for some reason I thought that not all LS heads were interchangeable. As far as a budget, I'm really looking for plain out steals. I'd like to have $4k into this turnkey, no more than $5k. If I need to spend a year or so finding deals, I'm good with that

redtan

iTrader: (5)

You're not going to hit 400rwhp on a OEM cam with just 243s. Gonna need a cam with more duration than that, even if it's the GM ASA or something along those lines.