Looking into starting a new build, need some opinions
03-24-2015, 11:09 PM
#1
Looking into starting a new build, need some opinions So I'm finally starting to list out the parts required for a new engine for my Z, and wasn't sure 100% what direction to go in.
Firstly, my goals: I'd like to make around 400-450 to the wheels n/a, but still keep driveability and as much gas mileage as I can. Will likely not drag the car, maybe a few pulls here and there but this car will be 99% street. I don't necessarily have a budget number, just want to get a price now so I know how much I'll need to save up and/or loan out.
Modding the stock engine beyond bolt-ons isn't much of an option, the car is (at the moment) my DD so I can't have the car down for more than a week tops. Not to mention I have concerns about how much life is left in the bearings and the valvetrain.
So that leaves me a few options:
Buy a 5.3l (or possibly an lq9) and stroke it to 383 (or possibly bigger if lq9). Cheaper block, but machine work and the associated parts for a full engine build can get expensive pretty quick. Not to mention the extra 100lbs on the front end of the car.
Buy a crate LS3 from Summit and do some mods to that to bump up the HP. engine+ the mods and and conversion parts means that this will likely be the most expensive option, but it does come with a 2 year warranty.
Or, the WS6store has an ls3 shortblock with stock gm internals, but a crank with a 24x reluctor wheel, so goodbye lingenfelter converter box. This leaves me with more options when it comes to how I want the engine built, but no warranty. Ultimately, this may be the cheapest option.
Any suggestions?
Firstly, my goals: I'd like to make around 400-450 to the wheels n/a, but still keep driveability and as much gas mileage as I can. Will likely not drag the car, maybe a few pulls here and there but this car will be 99% street. I don't necessarily have a budget number, just want to get a price now so I know how much I'll need to save up and/or loan out.
Modding the stock engine beyond bolt-ons isn't much of an option, the car is (at the moment) my DD so I can't have the car down for more than a week tops. Not to mention I have concerns about how much life is left in the bearings and the valvetrain.
So that leaves me a few options:
Buy a 5.3l (or possibly an lq9) and stroke it to 383 (or possibly bigger if lq9). Cheaper block, but machine work and the associated parts for a full engine build can get expensive pretty quick. Not to mention the extra 100lbs on the front end of the car.
Buy a crate LS3 from Summit and do some mods to that to bump up the HP. engine+ the mods and and conversion parts means that this will likely be the most expensive option, but it does come with a 2 year warranty.
Or, the WS6store has an ls3 shortblock with stock gm internals, but a crank with a 24x reluctor wheel, so goodbye lingenfelter converter box. This leaves me with more options when it comes to how I want the engine built, but no warranty. Ultimately, this may be the cheapest option.
Any suggestions?
