jamjsmith3

Hello,

I am planning my first build. Looking at Ls 6.0 or Ls 7 for a 1977 chevy caprice. I wanted to have power like the corvettes! What is the determining factor on which Ls is best fit for the build.

Thank you

Marcus

LS1Formulation

iTrader: (13)

Depends on how crazy you want to go, money-wise and fabrication-wise. A 6.0 can be found used at the junkyard for under a grand ( I got one for $270), and with heads/cam/intake/headers, you'd have a 500+ horsepower engine. You'll spend $10K for a pullout LS7, and honestly, it's not even as strong of an engine. Even a 5.3 will give you upwards of 450 horsepower. Budget really is going to be your biggest factor, how much do you want to spend?

jamjsmith3

Really Ls7! Wow i did not know that! LS6.0. Trans 460Le? Thank you for the knowledge.

jamjsmith3

Is 5000 a realistic number for 500 hp!

LS1Formulation

iTrader: (13)

$5k is more than enough for a 500HP 6.0. Buy a running long block 6.0, say for $1K at most, add a pair of ported 5.3 heads for $1000-$1500, a cam kit for around $500-$750, a Trailblazer SS intake for around $250, and with all the supporting mods needed, you'll be close to $5K. This assumes you doing your own work, of course. Best bet is to find a two wheel drive 3/4 ton truck or van and pull the entire drivetrain out. You'll get a 4L80E ( might need to hammer your floor pan to make that fit, though) and that will easily handle 500 HP. Just know, the little things you need to do a swap will nickel and dime you to death. People do it mega cheap, of course, but if you want to do the whole swap correctly, you'd be looking at closer to $10K.

jamjsmith3

Cool im push 10k budget! Is good book wiring PCM set up? Thank you!

LS1Formulation

iTrader: (13)

Sorry, didn't quite follow that post... Are you asking what books would be good on wiring and or tuning? If you're new to this, I'd leave the tuning to someone with experience, it's not something you can easily jump into. Wiring, however, is something you can read up on and have good results. A good book is Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems by Tony Candela. It's got a lot of practical info for someone who is just getting into it.

jamjsmith3

Yes sir thank you!

Ls7colorado

iTrader: (3)

Just get a Holley Terminator setup (comes with computer and wiring harness and MUCH easier to tune) and forget the books and countless youtube videos trying to hack stuff together.... ask me how I know........

jamjsmith3

Thank you! How do you know? What do you look for in a machine shop that can do quality work on an Ls6 motor? What indictators make you feel confident that a machine shop will do exceptional work on the block?

LS1Formulation

iTrader: (13)

First thing is: Experience building Gen 3 and Gen 4 engines, period. I've seen some machine shops treat them like old school small block Chevy engines and that is NOT going to create a well machined block.