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LS7 vs. LS3 physical dimensions?

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Old 01-13-2018, 04:47 PM
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Question LS7 vs. LS3 physical dimensions?

I always thought that the LS3 and LS7 shared the same physical outside dimensions. I'm looking at a new project and the newest ND MX-5 Miata seem nice. I have an LS7 crate engine today so I spoke to the guys at Flyin' Miata, who normally use the LS3 for their swaps, about using my LS7 and got this answer:

The LS7 isn’t the same size as an LS3 (the crankshaft is physically larger diameter), and there’s really no place to put the oil tank up front on the ND. It would be a challenge but I’ll bet you could tweak the rack location and make it work if you really wanted.
So what about the larger crankshaft diameter? In what way does it affect the physical outside dimensions of the engine?

I could always get the 376/525 LS3 crate as they normally do but I really like my LS7 and would prefer to keep it, it's a rather special motor.

Thanks,
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Old 01-13-2018, 04:59 PM
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They ARE the same physical outside dimensions. The LS7 has a different crank, but that does not affect the major dimensions AFAIK. If you're going dry-sump, then yeah the oil tank might be an issue. Miatas do NOT have much room under the hood.
Old 01-13-2018, 05:15 PM
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That's what I thought as well until I got that from FM. I have asked them to clarify but have not received an answer for a couple of weeks. I actually just sent them another mail to remind them.

I would prefer to keep the dry sump, I need to see if it's possible to fit a custom tank maybe somewhere above the passenger foot rest. Or else I'll just convert to wet sump and then it's done.
Old 01-13-2018, 05:19 PM
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All the LS blocks and heads are dimensionally same. Different accessory configurations could change some measurements, but has nothing to do with engine type.
Old 01-13-2018, 08:14 PM
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The LS7 crank snout is longer, but that's really all that I could tell. There is a conversion kit out that uses the C6 balancer, LS7 bolt, LS3 oil pump and timing cover, and a spacer that goes between the balancer and the balancer bolt to take up the difference in crank snout lengths
Old 01-14-2018, 05:49 AM
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Originally Posted by 01cherryreds10
The LS7 crank snout is longer, but that's really all that I could tell. There is a conversion kit out that uses the C6 balancer, LS7 bolt, LS3 oil pump and timing cover, and a spacer that goes between the balancer and the balancer bolt to take up the difference in crank snout lengths
Thanks, yes I've seen those wet sump conversion kits around, as said I would prefer to keep the dry sump but as I'm not gonna build a track day car it wouldn't be much practical issues going wet.
Old 01-14-2018, 06:56 AM
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With the dry sump, the LS7 will be slightly shorter in overall height than a wet sump LS3. Basic external dimensions otherwise the same. Go to the link below and scroll down to post #13 for a pretty detailed breakdown on the differences otherwise....

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...3-and-ls7.html
Old 01-14-2018, 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Michael Yount
With the dry sump, the LS7 will be slightly shorter in overall height than a wet sump LS3. Basic external dimensions otherwise the same. Go to the link below and scroll down to post #13 for a pretty detailed breakdown on the differences otherwise....

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...3-and-ls7.html
Thanks, I'll hope that somebody at Flyin' Miata will get back to me and clarify what they said.
Old 01-14-2018, 08:48 PM
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Im in the middle of swapping an Ls1 out for an LS7. Its been a perfect bolt in affair besides the oil pan (dry sump vs wet sump) and the crank snout length being slightly longer. (which doesnt matter since its still behind the front of the balancer anyway



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