LS7 in a Silverado SS?
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Teching In
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Pittsburgh
LS7 in a Silverado SS? I'm thinking about trying to hunt down a cheap 03 SSS AWD, preferably one with a bad motor so that I can swap in an LS7. I think that would be a worthwhile setup if I can find an SS cheap enough whereas in the end I'm only paying slightly more than the typical price on a used SS in excellent condition.
What do you guys think? Is it worth it? Is the LS7 a relatively easy drop in on the SSS? I would really love to drive an LS7 AWD.
If I can't find an SS cheap enough I know I'll be able to find a basic Silverado around the price range I would be looking for. I just wonder how much I would have to change around in order to get the full performance out of the LS7 if I go that route.
What do you guys think? Is it worth it? Is the LS7 a relatively easy drop in on the SSS? I would really love to drive an LS7 AWD.
If I can't find an SS cheap enough I know I'll be able to find a basic Silverado around the price range I would be looking for. I just wonder how much I would have to change around in order to get the full performance out of the LS7 if I go that route.
LS7 and the word cheap do not go hand in hand. An easy $13-15K for everything including dry sump reservoir.
Either turbocharge the existing motor.... or put in a stroker LS2/L92 based buildup.
Either turbocharge the existing motor.... or put in a stroker LS2/L92 based buildup.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Pittsburgh
I wasn't referring to the engine being cheap I've seen the prices on that. But, to score a cheap SS, around 12-15k then swapping in the LS7 would end up being only slightly more than a Silverado SS in good condition. The only obstacle is finding one with a bad motor willing to sell for that price. I did just see one Silverado SS with high miles sell for 15k. That's why I was pondering the setup, it might not be a bad bang for the buck if I can land the right truck at the right price. At least so I think, looking for some input and still doing research.
TECH Resident
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Baltimore, MD.
For probably about the same amount of money, you could score a good condition one, and add a turbocharger setup (like STS or one of the front mounts) or a supercharger (Radix or Magnacharger).
Pro's: You'd probably be making more power and be faster with the turbo or supercharger.
You could take the items off if / when you want to sell it.
Easier to find a good condition truck than one with a bad motor for low $.
Probably get better gas mileage.
Con's: You won't have a fresh motor.
You may need a fresh motor soon after doing the turbo (which might be a good opportunity to lower the compression and stroke it).
You won't be able to say "It's got an LS7 in it"
Either way, this plan has a serious flaw. Neither solution address the transmission (4L65E). Stock trucks break transmissions, modified ones eat them (even "built" ones). You'll need to plan on upgrading the transmission (4L80E is really your only choice) to deal with 505+ hp (or more if you decide on a turbo or supercharger).
'JustDreamin'
Pro's: You'd probably be making more power and be faster with the turbo or supercharger.
You could take the items off if / when you want to sell it.
Easier to find a good condition truck than one with a bad motor for low $.
Probably get better gas mileage.
Con's: You won't have a fresh motor.
You may need a fresh motor soon after doing the turbo (which might be a good opportunity to lower the compression and stroke it).
You won't be able to say "It's got an LS7 in it"
Either way, this plan has a serious flaw. Neither solution address the transmission (4L65E). Stock trucks break transmissions, modified ones eat them (even "built" ones). You'll need to plan on upgrading the transmission (4L80E is really your only choice) to deal with 505+ hp (or more if you decide on a turbo or supercharger).
'JustDreamin'
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Pittsburgh
Well I won't have the money for this project (still debating some different setups) until January, so nothing is for sure yet. Still doing research and getting input.
Why a truck? To have an LS7 + AWD mainly (I love AWD), plus I love sporty trucks a bit more than cars.
Has such a swap ever been done? I'd like to read up on it if so.
An LS 427 swap, haven't thought about that yet. I'll do a search on that now.
Thanks for the info thus far.
Why a truck? To have an LS7 + AWD mainly (I love AWD), plus I love sporty trucks a bit more than cars.
Has such a swap ever been done? I'd like to read up on it if so.
An LS 427 swap, haven't thought about that yet. I'll do a search on that now.
Thanks for the info thus far.
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Launching!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 200
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From: Arizona
Originally Posted by Posi12Bolt
cause trucks are COOOOL! 
The LS7 sounds like a cool idea to me. Although I think I'd rather have a turbo to go with the AWD personally. I like the idea of throwing a turbo on the stock motor.
http://www.redstarperformance.net/ did an LS7 motor into a new Tahoe. It came out pretty nice. I think it was sold on Ebay. He's done several.
An AWD transmission might be an issue, but other than that, it looked pretty straight forward. Like a couple of others have said, may need a 4L80E or a built up 4L65E trans.
An AWD transmission might be an issue, but other than that, it looked pretty straight forward. Like a couple of others have said, may need a 4L80E or a built up 4L65E trans.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Pittsburgh
Wow, 12 seconds in a Tahoe is impressive. I think I'm starting to lean towards building an LSX block though, it seems to be more cost effective. If I'm not mistaking I can get around 600hp out of them off of a basic setup and still be a lot cheaper than the LS7?
Cool! I think that is an excellent idea. I have pondered the notion myself a few times but came to the conclusion that....well my wife said I couldn't. But either way it is a good idea and different.
Teching In
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having worked on a sss, the front axle set up it that of a 4x4.
if you want cool, find a reg cab short w.b. 4x4, lower it 4" run an ss transfer case.
then do the 427.
truck would be lighter and cheaper.
just a thought
if you want cool, find a reg cab short w.b. 4x4, lower it 4" run an ss transfer case.
then do the 427.
truck would be lighter and cheaper.
just a thought
Some of the 1500's came with a AWD Transfer. I'm guessing it is much like the one in my TBSS. GMHTP did a story on it a few years ago. Anyway a reg. cab, short bed, with a bad ars LSX would be pimp. and heck while your at it figure out how to adapt a T-56 to the transfer, so I can convert my TBSS.
TECH Resident
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Baltimore, MD.
Originally Posted by speedyhawk101
And heck while your at it figure out how to adapt a T-56 to the transfer, so I can convert my TBSS.
I've seen a couple, the two that stick to mind are Summit's Quadra-duece and a turbo-supercharged Syclone that had a bunch of mods (obviously) done to it. And I've seen another one that was in process, I think it was for a Merkur XR4, but can't swear to that.
Basically, you end up needing to make a new tailshaft case. Easiest way I've seen to do that is to start with the C5 / C6 transaxle tailshaft case, and make an adapter to mate it to the tcase. But then, you've got to figure out how to shift the transmission, since the C5 /C6 transaxle tailshaft case doesn't have a provision for a shifter.
Once you overcome those hurdles, you'll probably break transmissions regularly. The T56 is a fairly stout unit, but you can't upgrade to the Viper output shaft (because you need the 27 spline output to mate to the tcase) so that'll still be a weak link. And you've got lots of traction, which means the tires won't break free and keep the trans alive. Add to that the fact that the TBSS isn't light, and you're just asking to break transmissions. If you build one of these conversions, I'd suggest you build 2, that way you have a spare....
I've personally thought about setting up a T56 like that for a custom awd tube chassis playtoy, but haven't done anything further than think about it....
'JustDreamin'
I didn't expect a detailed explanation on that, but cool.
Even if there are flaws, I still think it would be a cool conversion.
JustDreamin I guess you could say I was just dreamin.
Even if there are flaws, I still think it would be a cool conversion.
JustDreamin I guess you could say I was just dreamin.