Best motor to build? Maybe FI
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From: Pearland, Texas
Best motor to build? Maybe FI I always wanted to build a 2nd gen Trans Am with an LS1 and T56.. Well, I found a 79 with no front clip for $800 and no title but whatever, I'll find a car to pull a vin off of.
The LS1's are really too expensive when a 5.3 or whatever would work. What would be the best motor all around to build up? Thinking about heads/cam or maybe just forged internals and a budget turbo. Looking for 450-500 RWHP. I think the turbo would be the way to go and would be fun for a project.
Is it hard to swap out the pistons and rods? Is there anything else I need to beef up with a turbo set up?
The LS1's are really too expensive when a 5.3 or whatever would work. What would be the best motor all around to build up? Thinking about heads/cam or maybe just forged internals and a budget turbo. Looking for 450-500 RWHP. I think the turbo would be the way to go and would be fun for a project.
Is it hard to swap out the pistons and rods? Is there anything else I need to beef up with a turbo set up?
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Easiest build for these goals would be a 496 BBC. Easy bolt in, no EFI conversion and you can get a T56 from Keisler (not cheap). Building a 455 Pontiac would be a cool build too but getting 500 rwhp will cost more than the Chevy.
For LS options, rather than the 5.3, you should look at the 6.0 and 6.2 truck options. Very good engines and available in the used market. Downside is you won't get the T56. Either will allow you to get close to your goals without a turbo.
Rebuilding this car the right way will take a lot of money but parts are available. You really should price out all the body work, interior etc before you commit to buying. These days it can be cheaper to buy someone elses near complete project for a lot less than they have invested.
For LS options, rather than the 5.3, you should look at the 6.0 and 6.2 truck options. Very good engines and available in the used market. Downside is you won't get the T56. Either will allow you to get close to your goals without a turbo.
Rebuilding this car the right way will take a lot of money but parts are available. You really should price out all the body work, interior etc before you commit to buying. These days it can be cheaper to buy someone elses near complete project for a lot less than they have invested.
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From: Pearland, Texas
Easiest build for these goals would be a 496 BBC. Easy bolt in, no EFI conversion and you can get a T56 from Keisler (not cheap). Building a 455 Pontiac would be a cool build too but getting 500 rwhp will cost more than the Chevy.
For LS options, rather than the 5.3, you should look at the 6.0 and 6.2 truck options. Very good engines and available in the used market. Downside is you won't get the T56. Either will allow you to get close to your goals without a turbo.
Rebuilding this car the right way will take a lot of money but parts are available. You really should price out all the body work, interior etc before you commit to buying. These days it can be cheaper to buy someone elses near complete project for a lot less than they have invested.
For LS options, rather than the 5.3, you should look at the 6.0 and 6.2 truck options. Very good engines and available in the used market. Downside is you won't get the T56. Either will allow you to get close to your goals without a turbo.
Rebuilding this car the right way will take a lot of money but parts are available. You really should price out all the body work, interior etc before you commit to buying. These days it can be cheaper to buy someone elses near complete project for a lot less than they have invested.
What's the gas mileage like with heads/cam versus a turbo? I want to have a fairly nice driver out of it. Honestly I think I am just going to run the stock trans with a stall until it breaks and worry about the T56 then. Also I ran an H/C/E/I Pontiac 400 in the old car and it got 6 mpg, couldn't imagine a 496 which is why I would like to stay away from that.
The 5.3's seem like they can be had for a few hundred bucks while the 6.0's are in the $1000 range. Are they worth the extra coin? The turbo seemed fun to me and it would make my project stand out.
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you can do a mild budget lq9. all stock heads and internal just upgrade the cam/valvetrain then throw a 76 or something on the smaller side at it and keep the boost around 7-9 psi, ls6 intake, 255 walbro, 42 #ers, fmic etc etc. but you will find that the t56 may be a weak point. as well as the drive shaft and rear end, depending on what you go with. for your first FI build i would definitely keep it mild and keep it simple. even a mild budget build could bring you around 600 hp which is nothing to sneeze at.
btw the lq9 and 317 heads are better for boost because of the iron block, chamber size and valve size where as the l33's have an aluminum block, small valves and higher compression. hence why they are so cheap, nobody wants them.
btw the lq9 and 317 heads are better for boost because of the iron block, chamber size and valve size where as the l33's have an aluminum block, small valves and higher compression. hence why they are so cheap, nobody wants them.
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you can do a mild budget lq9. all stock heads and internal just upgrade the cam/valvetrain then throw a 76 or something on the smaller side at it and keep the boost around 7-9 psi, ls6 intake, 255 walbro, 42 #ers, fmic etc etc. but you will find that the t56 may be a weak point. as well as the drive shaft and rear end, depending on what you go with. for your first FI build i would definitely keep it mild and keep it simple. even a mild budget build could bring you around 600 hp which is nothing to sneeze at.
btw the lq9 and 317 heads are better for boost because of the iron block, chamber size and valve size where as the l33's have an aluminum block, small valves and higher compression. hence why they are so cheap, nobody wants them.
btw the lq9 and 317 heads are better for boost because of the iron block, chamber size and valve size where as the l33's have an aluminum block, small valves and higher compression. hence why they are so cheap, nobody wants them.
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From: Texas/Afghanistan
i don't, sorry man. but i would definitely keep a close eye on all sections of the classifieds here and on various other related forums. you never know what may fall from the sky into your lap. i did some searching yesterday and it seems as though there is always somebody selling their old smaller turbo to make way for an upgrade. and sometimes ppl will sell whole kits for way under list price. same with fuel systems, drivetrain parts etc.
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From: Texas/Afghanistan
lq4 has 6.5cc dished pistons and a stock CR of 9.4:1. it just depends on how you plan to bring it together. ie: how much boost, how much cam, how much are you going to mill the heads if at all.
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Just a fairly aggressive cam and that is probably it. I just picked up an 80 Trans am with a trashed motor so I am ready to get this build on the road!
