gm50cal

iTrader: (2)

Ok so for starters I have a 2000 T/A. I’m looking at swapping engines for more power, and to do something a bit different. Now I know this topic has been discussed endlessly, but I still need some input from the experienced crowd. One of the first ideas I had was building an ls7 to drop in. I have a friend who as built some engines in his day, but they were mostly fords. I think between him and I we could build up a sold LS7 engine. Then I saw an article of where I think it was GMMG put a LSX454 in a f-body, so that led me to think, what other options could I do with my T/A. my goal is for 500-700HP STREETABLE and almost D/D. should I get a LS7 block or a 454 and build it up? I do believe that building the engine will most certainly be cost effective, and allow me to put it together the way I want. Also, if I went the crate motor option, does the LS7 crate motor come with the best set of heads/cam? Or are there more powerful heads/cam?

The other major factor is fitting this monster in an F-body. I hear any LS engine will fit in pretty ok, but I’m not sure about the LSX454. I know the reluctor wheel, dry sump and electric throttle are the biggest hurtles, and I hear GM is making a wiring harness to fit F-body cars. As far as fitting and electrical conversion, is the 502 or any other engines reasonable?

jdiddyws6

iTrader: (5)

I'm pretty sure all ls engines share the same exterior dimensions. You can do 500-700HP with less though. I mean any power adder built 346 and up is going to make 500rwhp for the most part. There's plent of 402/8 and 416/418 making 500+ NA. If you want to keep it mild though, I think the best bet would be a 402+ a power adder. Not to mention you're going to forking out some serious change for an lsx build. If you're stuck on an ls7, they have dry sump conversions.

gm50cal

iTrader: (2)

yea ive thought about just doing heads cam, supercharger, but the engine has 90xxxx on it and wasnt sure if it was worth it for an old engine. how much power are the ls7 or 454s good for N/A

jdiddyws6

iTrader: (5)

Heads/cam/intake ls7 is good for ~600whp (pretty decent cam). I think 454s are typically in the 650 range, but they are iron block, and people typically run alot of boost or gas through them. I'm making 500whp on a STOCK motor with 90k on it. You could save a ton of money doing a built 347 or even a 402.

The thing is you want near stock drivability, so the more power you make NA, the more drivability you are going to lose. It's all about compromises.

gm50cal

iTrader: (2)

what if i went with a LSX 454 with a supercharger.. a. could i even fit all that and b. if i ran lower boost would it still be streetable? thinking on it, the 700+ figure is more what im headed towards, but then again, i still would like to be able to take it to a drive in every now and again

jdiddyws6

iTrader: (5)

Yes it will fit. Not to be rude, but is this your first dive in automobile performance, and what kind of budget are you looking at?

gm50cal

iTrader: (2)

well this is my first sports car. through my research ive found that the 10 bolt rearends are garbage, so i swapped it out with a moser 12 bolt, pst drive shaft and a bunch of other stuff. the only thing i didnt do in the rear end was shocks and springs, becasue the roads are so bad here in new orleans. however as fas a changing engines and head/cam upgrades, no i havent done that. however like i said my friend has built some engines before but they were mostly fords. the swap is slightly down the road, but im starting my homework now, so i can have an idea of what to read up on. as far as price, around 20k

jdiddyws6

iTrader: (5)

I doubt with 20k you will be able to do lsx/ls7 + boost. It's a good thing that you put a rear in it already. If it's a 4l60 car, you're going to need to built it or put a 4l80. If it's an m6, it probably won't take that kind of power for long. Like I said, if I were you, I'd go for a 418 ls3 with some good heads, and some giggle gas, and take the rest of the money, and bring the rest of the car up to date.

gm50cal

iTrader: (2)

well the money is somehwat fleixble. i can put out a little more in if need be, and depending on what im getting for it. it would be nice if i could build a ls7/454 and save up some for the supercharger down the road, but i dont want to build a lower compression engine and have it run like a dog untill i get the supercharger. a while back i toyed with the idea of swaping an ls2/3 into it, but id like to do it bigger if possible, and still get a decent bang for my buck, and a D/D. other wise a boosted ls3 may happen, if possible

bamalt1

iTrader: (7)

Any boosted ls engine should be able to do 500rwhp easily. A forged 402 would put you at or beyond your goals for a more reasonable price. What trans is in your car right now?

brianfromhawaii

iTrader: (3)

do a 408 ls2 with a turbo from kyp and ull have 800-900 hp on high boost, and can turn the boost down with ease, also will be easy on the 6speed because the power slowly comes on, and it will be STREETABLE!!

gm50cal

iTrader: (2)

its an m6, which i plan on beefing up...

jdiddyws6

iTrader: (5)

+1, and you can keep the cam small and more drivable.

daschra79

iTrader: (2)

+1 the easiest way to make 700+whp and still be streetable is to go turbo.

bgoodeno

iTrader: (1)

How about an homage to TA's of past with a 455 crate?
This is an image from SEMA 08 of an 455 LSX.
http://image.highperformancepontiac....ate_engine.jpg

Obviously things were slightly different in 08 and Pontiac hadn't had its obituary written yet quite yet.
I'm sure this is just a rounding error for the 454 still available in the GMPP catalog.



Place an order or Build one up and incorporate a shaker style hood.

http://www.yearone.com/yodnn/Portals...ry/407/339.jpg

archerandsons

iTrader: (17)

wish i had ur budget

USArmyZ28

iTrader: (3)

Not to be rude or anything and I support your build, but there are a ton of HCI LS1's with 100k+ miles and still getting trashed at the track.


But I support the more cubes + boost method. Allan Futral has/ or had a turbo 408 WS6 that was just sick nasty something around ~850 rwhp on LOW boost, there are videos of him running with bikes and all sorts of madness.