What would you do
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Joined: Nov 2010
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From: SE MO
What would you do Ok this is more of a testing the waters thread but i have a engine swap in mind and would just like some input. Im new to the ls seen but have a good background in mechanics and general fabrication. What i have is a 72 chevelle with a well built 383 puting out about 450 at the flyweel, with a t400 tranny, and 10 bolt with cromolys and full spool. All that was fine in high school but know it sets way more than it gets driven so im looking to make it more drivable. I recently purchased a lq9 with the 317 heads. My thoughts are to bolt the lq9 in my chevelle hopfuly making the car more practicle for street driving while keeping my performance. Like i said im new to the ls world but from what ive read im thinking about having some head work done and sliding in a zo6 cam. I also however have an ls1 shortblock that apeals to me due to the lighter weight of the aluminum block. My questions are what would be the best alternative for a block the lq9 or the ls1 and what kind of top end should i run to get as good of performance as my 383 but keep the mpgs up and the cost of the build down.
I would look into something a little bigger than the z06 cam. I too went round and round on cams, but I think a 72 Chevelle needs to idle like a muscle car. Listen to the ASA cam, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL1OhyPw9Sw you can run z06 valve springs, if you look around they are $70.00, cam might be $200.00, and tune the computer, That combo will be about the same flywheel as your old set up but have great drivability. Your heads are fine, They flow nice, but when its time to go faster, there are plenty of options.
I would stick with the lq9 over the LS1, iron vs aluminum / 6.0 vs 5.7 / LS1 fetch more money, your 383 is an iron block right? the LQ9 will weigh about the same, maybe less, it has a plastic intake.
sell the LS1, sell the 383, you could have very little $ in this swap.
Just my .02
I would stick with the lq9 over the LS1, iron vs aluminum / 6.0 vs 5.7 / LS1 fetch more money, your 383 is an iron block right? the LQ9 will weigh about the same, maybe less, it has a plastic intake.
sell the LS1, sell the 383, you could have very little $ in this swap.
Just my .02
The TR224 and TSP224 are pretty popular cams around here as well. I picked up a TR224 on 112 on ebay for $200 shipped. I sold my 383 firesale-style just to move it since I am moving and still got more than enough out of it to pay for an lq9 and a decent amount of other things (though $$ here and there add up quickly, as always).
performancetrucks.net also has a classified section you might want to check out.
performancetrucks.net also has a classified section you might want to check out.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3
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From: SE MO
Car sounds good, makes me rethink the Z06 cam. I prolly will stay with the lq9 over the ls1. As far as bolting the lq9 to my t400 what will i need to acomplish this ive been told that they will bolt right on, but ive also been told i will need an adapter of sorts. Also along the lines of oil pans ive been told that chevrolet has a hot rod oil pan that i can buy at the dealer for under $200 bucks designed for this kind of swap, is there a cheaper option or is this a good choice.
