raven154

iTrader: (14)

First off car is an 04 LS6 CTS-V

Well I was out of town in unfamiliar territory on military business and it flooded. Hydrolocked and spit a rod out of the block. Took out two pistons, one rod, the cam, one lifter, windage tray, and the block of course.

My question now is, what do I do? I had a few goodies in the car already. Cam, intake, headers, among other things. I see this as my chance to "upgrade" but what should I upgrade too? I'm too close to a deployment to do anything now. Then hopefully right after I get back from that (really short deployment) I'll be going to Germany for 2 months. So I have some time to think and save some money. But I cant figure out what I want.

I was thinking stroked LS2. Than LS7. Than a sleeved LS2 to make a 427. Then just another bad *** 346. I have no clue as this is my first LSx car and dont really know what my options are. Anybody willing to chime in on a good semi budget build? I haven't figured out what kind of money I want to spend yet. Just looking at something semi conservative for now. I do have a daily driver (Saturn) so I guess I could get a little crazy with the V but I dont make a **** ton of money so it will take me a bit to gather the funds to really build somehting badass.

Anyway, help me decide how to spend my money!

Thanks

406malibu

lq4 or lq9 with heads/cam is a good budget build and they are "ls" motors. btw nice avatar, too bad it doesnt show on the forum w/o clicking the link

raven154

iTrader: (14)

And thats were the not real sure about my choices comes into play. I'm not really up to date with anything other than the LS6. Like, can I still use my ported fast 90 with gen 4 heads. I know the 243 casting is a cathedral port and the newer heads are square port. Is that right? Just stuff like that. What all is compatible with what?

BadA$$

iTrader: (4)

When my Ls1 in the T/A take a ****, I plan on getting an Ls2! I hope this don't happen any time soon though, money is allways an issue!

I say, go with a strong build of you choice that doesn't break the bank, or get crazy, do whatever the hell you want, hall ***, and eat ramen noodles every night!

raven154

iTrader: (14)

Hey bada$$ where in OK are you. I'm in the Tulsa/Claremore area

When I read the eat ramen part I laughed out loud. Thats good stuff haha

406malibu

im not 100% but i think all that stuff is compatible. heads/cam intake, etc.

fenix999

iTrader: (17)

Just get a sorged shortblock from any of the reputable sponsors, either iron block 370", or forged LS2 364", or just a standard fully forged 346 LS1/LS6 (they are pretty much the same). THEN, you will be ready to throw nitrous or boost at it for a long time to come! Whatever you do you dont need to go overkill, these motors respond very well to anything you do to them. A few extra cubic inches is not going to give you enough power back for the extra cost it takes to buy a stroker or sleeved motor. I honestly say just wait, buy a nice shortblock, and then wait again and buy a nice supercharger kit used but in perfect shape so you dont pay top dollar. THAT will be the best all around for bang for your buck performance and reliability. Good luck with your future build man!

LSWannabe

The LQ4/LQ9 blocks are iron. If you are running NA then I would stick with the LS family of aluminum blocks. Also I dont think your fast 90 would work on the square port heads, not 100% though.

I would suggest for right now go with a stroked LS2 if you want to be somewhat conservative. Plenty of sponsors have 402 short and longblocks.

BadA$$

iTrader: (4)

I'm in Stilwell, not Stillwater! This small town is found in eastern ok, about 5 minits away from arkansas. I think I'm about an 1 3/4 hours away from tulsa, usually depends on how fast I drive!!!

howierd42

Can you say LS7 crate engine?

Black01M6SS

iTrader: (3)

How much do you have to spend? My LS2 402 with AFR heads, new cam, lifters, oil pump ect came out to around 10k. Mine is a low compression build but you build something simular with high compression and probably end up with a good bit over 500rwhp with a setup that is rock solid and ready to be sprayed with a big shot of nitrous if you ever feel the need. You could build it cheaper if you wanted but mine is the typical build. Not the cheapest parts but not the most expensive either. "Callies Dragonslayer crank, Callies Compstar rods, Diamond Pistons"

If you are wanting to reuse that Fast intake you are not limited to the block you use, you just need to stick with cathedral port heads...which isn't a bad thing.

WhiteFormula98

iTrader: (10)

damn that sucks

1QWK408

iTrader: (7)

Just Get An Iron Block And Make A 408 Easy To Do And They Make Alot Of Power All Motor.

raven154

iTrader: (14)

Well I'm shooting for at least 500 at the rollers and I really want to stay away from the iron block just because I love the way the car handles and really dont want any more weight up front than I already have. I am either going to build an ls2 427 or an ls7. What would I have to do to my 243 heads to get them to work. I know they will bolt up to the ls2 but what about the bore size now. Will they bolt to the ls7?

99camarosupersport

iTrader: (6)

I'd just get an LS7, fast as hell while still maintaining stock driveability. That's a perk for those cars being sleepers, It's a Cadillac, not a 69 Camaro.

This is just my opinion though.

gymratt

iTrader: (3)

How bout the ls3, it's like half the price of the ls7. The hot cammed version is rated at 480hp. They're supposedly underrated because the LS3 c6 are running pretty close to what the ls7 zo6's are running. The ls3 crate eng is $6195 at scoggin dickey, one of the sponsors-->. Just a thought

greysteel_M6

iTrader: (5)

Forged, bored out LS block, l92/l76/ls3 heads, l76/ls3 intake, cam it and your done.

71-Camaro-98

iTrader: (17)

+1 on a link for that avatar... LS3/LS7

slayerized6

iTrader: (12)

get an assembled engine from texas speed and sell whatever you can from your trashed engine

TXws6

iTrader: (10)

love those CTS-Vs.... go ***** to the wall and get the LS7!!