1969mach1

I have been looking into a complete motor, either building one or getting a crate motor.
In GM High-Tech Performance magazine volume 15, number 7 and 8 (August / September 2009)
They did a “408 budget LS1 build for serious N/A power”.
There “budget” build when all said and done cost $13,586.00. This is a complete motor without transferring of any sensors, covers, injectors, ect. Now I know, having a donor motor will cut out some cost, but I’m looking at complete motors. This “budget” build made 554 horsepower and 508 lb-ft.

My comparison is.
A: build a “budget “motor like this 408 iron motor? (554hp / 508lbs)
B: buy a GM LS7 crate motor? (505hp / 470lbs)

The GM LS7 crate motor from Summit Racing cost $14,780.00.
This motor makes 505 horsepower at 6,300 rpm, and 470 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm.

Now, my question to you is, is it worth $1194.00 to have the LS7 motor in you opinion?

Now, I know there are many different combos to build and a lot of different crate motors out there.
It’s just that when I saw how much the “budget build” cost, the first this that popped in to mind was the cost of a LS7 crate motor. I played around the last few days in pricing out building a motor, and they were right on the money on this build. You can spend a bankroll of cash in building a sweet set up with an LSX block and great components.

Let me know what you’ll think. Build or Crate??

PREDATOR-Z

Contact Erik Koenig and discuss with him a good LS2 based 402 swap.

King Nothing

iTrader: (9)

you can buy a built stroker motor and all you need to do is put on the heads, front stuff and a cam or you can order it with everything i think

deelong4002

iTrader: (8)

I would think you could build an iron block LQ motor for alot less than $14,000.

King Nothing

iTrader: (9)

yeah i'm pretty sure it's a lot less than that lol unless you go custom EVERYTHING

Paint_It_Black

iTrader: (1)

If those exact choices were my only options, I'd go LS7 every time. Then swap the cam out before the engine goes in.

1969mach1

well, just check this out.

LQ9 block from SDPC $755
4340 crank $785 (K1 the cheapest 4340 I could find)
4340 rods $519 (average price for H-beam)
Wiseco pistons $782
bearings ect $200
stock set of L92 heads from SDPC $1100
L76 intake SDPC $230
Throttle body $300
Machine work $1000
plus. oil pump, cam, lifters, springs, timing chain, oil pump, pickup tube, oil pan, timing cover, balancer, valve covers, injectors, sensors, hardware.....

thats pushing a good $12000

Paint_It_Black

iTrader: (1)

Yeah things add up quickly. I also like the reliability of the factory crate when prices are close. Hell, the LS7 probably even comes with a warranty.

1969mach1

it's just that after looking into building a motor with everything, they are not as cheap as some would think. once all is said and done it's up there with a LS7 motor.

SOMbitch

iTrader: (8)

Yeah you could build a NASTY 402/408 for about half that LS7 motor that will make more at the wheels than that LS7 makes at the crank........

garygnu

what about a ls3 crate motor,I believe they go for $6300.the conversion cost is about $1000,and add a better cam $400.it could make close to 500 hp.

1969mach1

Please OH! please show me how!!!

the short block is not that bad to build... $3700
but add every thing else... heads, cam, intake,... all that will be needed to build a complete motor and your very close to $13000.

1969mach1

good thought, diff will look into that, THANKS

thats not too bad
http://www.sdpc2000.com/details/gm-p...parts/19244097
$6676

you can't build that for that price.....
and in GMHT they did the battle of the bump sticks and got over 550hp with the Lunati cam only.

Good Find garygnu, Thanks

youngrigo

If those were my options i would do the LS7 and add a cam and be around 550rwhp.....

camz28arro

iTrader: (12)

The LS7 is way too expensive for 500hp, It is an amazing engine with a lot of room to work with but there are a lot cheaper ways to get that power like just buying a LS3 ($8300) and adding a procharger ($5600) would cost $800 less than the LS7 and make 610hp @ the flywheel w/ 6psi, get 24-25mpg, and be a great daily driver if it needed to be.

http://www.vetteweb.com/tech/vemp_08.../photo_31.html

Or to be N/A

American racing 1 7/8 headers $1100
dumps $400
LG g6x3 cam and acessories $800
CNC the heads $800?

And the engine will still be about 590 flywheel hp for around $12-13000 with everything.

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...wap/index.html

1slowfbody

my build is goin to be mild but here an example of pricing
Engine is being purchased through Scoggin Dickey
iron forged LQ4 402-$3900
comes with the pistons i need (9.5 to 1 CR), the crank, the rods and all the gaskets
WCRCH Heads
stage 2 243's- $1300
custom cam for a blower-$400
so to run N/A i'm gonna be paying $5600 for HOPEFULLY around 550crankhp or around 450rwhp. more would be nice but i'll be running a LS6 intake until i get the money for a roots style blower to sit on top so i wont waste money on a FAST for some N/A numbers when i'm gonna supercharge it

yeah i could've went bigger and nastier with the build but i love driving my car on the street

need4fun2469

how did you come up with $8300 for a LS3? Crate LS3 sells for $6676

SOMbitch

iTrader: (8)

I read your original post kinda fast and missed the "complete motor" part but you still can do it way under 13k.

short block $4k (think HKE)
TFS as cast (Tooley massaged) with rockers $2.3k
cam, lifters, pushrods, timing set, balancer, waterpump $1300
used 90/90 $800
used injectors + rails $350
oil pan, TC cover, sensors and gaskets (look for used TC cover and oil pan) $1200
Miscellaneous bolts etc...$300

I am sure I left out a few things but I am functioning on 3 hrs sleep and a slight hangover right now.......

Anyway there is a motor around 10k that will walk all over a stock LS7 or the GMHTP motor. The GMHTP motor was crank HP BTW....

camz28arro

iTrader: (12)

I got that price when the engine was first released off gm performance. I looked again and now it does say about $6500 complete which is awesome. I would like to put that in a 4th gen as my next car in a few years or even get the 2015 camaro since it will be back down to 3300lbs.

need4fun2469

I think the ls3 motor is a solid foundation to start from. Imo. As we all know, there are a lot of go fast parts for it.