Best Value LS3 Swap?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 11
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Yeah, it's a 2.7L V6. Full boost at ~3000rpm. It's about 500 crank hp though, similar to the plain crate LS3 and both cars weigh about 3600lbs I think.
I've driven an new corvette too, as mentioned above, which weighs less and might make a little less power. The instant torque is nice, but the torque from the turbos spooling on the S4 is more fun. If I did an LS turbo though, I would have to control boost onset to avoid blowing the tires off which would limit that fun.
I don't know, I've been casually thinking about this for months and it's been hard to decide NA vs FI or if an LS swap is worth it over a built SBC.
I've driven an new corvette too, as mentioned above, which weighs less and might make a little less power. The instant torque is nice, but the torque from the turbos spooling on the S4 is more fun. If I did an LS turbo though, I would have to control boost onset to avoid blowing the tires off which would limit that fun.
I don't know, I've been casually thinking about this for months and it's been hard to decide NA vs FI or if an LS swap is worth it over a built SBC.
Yeah, it's a 2.7L V6. Full boost at ~3000rpm. It's about 500 crank hp though, similar to the plain crate LS3 and both cars weigh about 3600lbs I think.
I've driven an new corvette too, as mentioned above, which weighs less and might make a little less power. The instant torque is nice, but the torque from the turbos spooling on the S4 is more fun. If I did an LS turbo though, I would have to control boost onset to avoid blowing the tires off which would limit that fun.
I don't know, I've been casually thinking about this for months and it's been hard to decide NA vs FI or if an LS swap is worth it over a built SBC.
I've driven an new corvette too, as mentioned above, which weighs less and might make a little less power. The instant torque is nice, but the torque from the turbos spooling on the S4 is more fun. If I did an LS turbo though, I would have to control boost onset to avoid blowing the tires off which would limit that fun.
I don't know, I've been casually thinking about this for months and it's been hard to decide NA vs FI or if an LS swap is worth it over a built SBC.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 11
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Yeah, that's the other decision. T56 magnum vs 4l80e. Or much cheaper TH350 rebuilt/TH400 swap, though I'm leaning towards something OD.
The audi is a little different, so I'm not sure how it would feel. It should make low 400 wheel tq around 3300rpm and taper down. That's why I was looking for 500whp/tq at least, so it wouldn't be close, but hopefully still be steetable.
If the Camaro was AWD, I would no doubt go FI and big power. I don't want to overbuild for a RWD car on the street though.
The audi is a little different, so I'm not sure how it would feel. It should make low 400 wheel tq around 3300rpm and taper down. That's why I was looking for 500whp/tq at least, so it wouldn't be close, but hopefully still be steetable.
If the Camaro was AWD, I would no doubt go FI and big power. I don't want to overbuild for a RWD car on the street though.
Launching!
Joined: Jun 2016
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Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 11
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The S4 is a 6 speed. The autos can't handle the torque. I'm leaning towards the T56, unless I go turbo. I am concerned if I give it too much throttle and the auto ever decides to downshift, it will blow the tires off though. For that reason, it seems like it would be harder to drive in control vs being able to pick throttle percent in whatever gear I want with the T56.
Restricted User
Joined: Mar 2014
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From: Ohio
Spinning tires that easy? Buy a better tire.
I wouldn't change out my 4L80e for any other trans even if someone was doing it all for free and giving me the transmission. That's the beauty of a programmable transmission. I can change how it upshifts/downshifts and what RPM/Speed/Throttle% that I want.
I wouldn't change out my 4L80e for any other trans even if someone was doing it all for free and giving me the transmission. That's the beauty of a programmable transmission. I can change how it upshifts/downshifts and what RPM/Speed/Throttle% that I want.
^ there is a lot of thruth to this. A good tune on a transmission and you wont have anything to worry about. But good tires is a must for any of these setups. Its just not an equal comparison for a euro spec car to a muscle car. They are gonna feel different, the c7 is really not a good comparison either. sure the power level is where you are looking but it is gonna feel way more refined than a resto-mod build same with your current car. I would try reaching out to some board members in your area and see if you can get some experience with cars with this kind of setup and see how you feel about it. Not just comparing numbers, but spend some time in the cars if you can.
That will really give you a better feel for what direction you should go. I love a manual transmission personally, but that has nothing to do with how an auto performs its just a preference of mine.
That will really give you a better feel for what direction you should go. I love a manual transmission personally, but that has nothing to do with how an auto performs its just a preference of mine.
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Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 11
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I think I'm leaning more towards turbo now. I ran an ATS-V this morning that looks like it should put down 430/440 whp/wtq. I do have 200lbs on it, but I put about a car and a half on him. My car may put down a little more than I think, but I don't think I would be that happy with a 500whp NA LS3 for long.
That said, I'm guessing adding a turbo isn't as easy as some make it sound. My Audi has multiple solenoids that control the boost. Would the LS just be controlled by the wastegate and boost controller?
If I do that, I'll probably go 4L80E. A T56 magnum kit is over $6k and would need a strong/probably not street friendly clutch or twin that wouldn't be cheap or last long.
Can I just put a cam in and run it stock up to ~700whp? Pistons and rods will be fine, or should I build a forged rod/pistons block? It looks like building is a significant cost increase from the crate engine. Is the compression low enough stock?
That said, I'm guessing adding a turbo isn't as easy as some make it sound. My Audi has multiple solenoids that control the boost. Would the LS just be controlled by the wastegate and boost controller?
If I do that, I'll probably go 4L80E. A T56 magnum kit is over $6k and would need a strong/probably not street friendly clutch or twin that wouldn't be cheap or last long.
Can I just put a cam in and run it stock up to ~700whp? Pistons and rods will be fine, or should I build a forged rod/pistons block? It looks like building is a significant cost increase from the crate engine. Is the compression low enough stock?
Last edited by bradthebold; Sep 7, 2016 at 02:02 PM.
As soon as you said turbo, boost control and 4L80, then yiu need to check out the Holley Dominator ecu. It has multiple boost control strategies, will run the 4l80, DBW, dual wide bands, pwm cooling fans, and the kitchen sink.
Andrew
Andrew
Here is something I did recently, and it didn't even need the advanced ICF...
https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversio...l#post19379715
Andrew