New 5.3 -> 5.7 build for circle track racing
11-14-2018, 01:31 PM
#22
You must weigh at least that amount.They let you run a little lighter if you are running steel heads.
11-14-2018, 01:36 PM
#23
As a former short track asphalt racer, I have a few comments. First, I like the car. Second, use a Gen I. The parts are everywhere and cheap. Don't think you are going to out flow a Gen I with an LS. There are so many SBC heads that flow, flow, flow. The LS is a great motor but its key design feature is a massed produced head which flows well out of the box. That why GM made the switch., besides the better electronics.
These motors are expensive to build. Not in comparison to a Ford Coyotte, but when compared to an SBC. You must have eight coils for instance. You can use a crank trigger to get the same spark performance as a reluctor wheel. I don't think it will make more power unless you bend the rules. There are so many reasons that I do not know where to start. Think about it.
Also I am glad to see a short tracker on the forum. In general, this forum is all about drag racing. These guys do not know what their missing. My first race was with a stock car on a 3/8ths dirt track. It was an open stock class with the B models being stock except for safety upgrades and the A class allowing headers and cams. I won't tell you the year of the car because it will give away my age :-), but the car was locked in second.When the race starts, everyone starts fighting for the rail. Door handle to door handle banging away at each other fighting for the rail. God, I loved it! The experience is almost as good as the first POA.
You got me excited. Keep us posted with the results, and certainly show us your first trophy.
These motors are expensive to build. Not in comparison to a Ford Coyotte, but when compared to an SBC. You must have eight coils for instance. You can use a crank trigger to get the same spark performance as a reluctor wheel. I don't think it will make more power unless you bend the rules. There are so many reasons that I do not know where to start. Think about it.
Also I am glad to see a short tracker on the forum. In general, this forum is all about drag racing. These guys do not know what their missing. My first race was with a stock car on a 3/8ths dirt track. It was an open stock class with the B models being stock except for safety upgrades and the A class allowing headers and cams. I won't tell you the year of the car because it will give away my age :-), but the car was locked in second.When the race starts, everyone starts fighting for the rail. Door handle to door handle banging away at each other fighting for the rail. God, I loved it! The experience is almost as good as the first POA.
You got me excited. Keep us posted with the results, and certainly show us your first trophy.
Maybe i'm dreaming
11-14-2018, 03:39 PM
#24
I know, I know, its a minimum and the car could weigh more, but who would do that. So, if the minimum is lower, and the motor is heavier, I believe it is a disadvantage. Something has to go such as body integrity or brake size or something. Thats why I wondered if it was a misprint.
11-14-2018, 03:45 PM
#25
I like you guy. Dream on, but the economic realities of life dictate an SBC build, unless of course you have a sponsor like say WS6 store which promotes LS performance and maybe willing to help you with the parts if you are willing to put their name on the car. :-)
11-14-2018, 05:21 PM
#26
RacerX10,
Would this sort of head be useful?
Price in the LS1TECH classifieds was ~$1,100 as is with Del West titanium Valves.
Set of ported 799 (like a 243 head that's been mentioned) Wegner Nascar spec heads out of the board classifieds with titanium valves & beehive springs that can rev to 8,000 rpm with stock LS7 lifters with correct cam selection. There were used on 6.0 blocks and probably good for ~565 whp with dry sump, vacuum pump etc. Like any used head they need to be checked before using.
With ported Super Vic or better yet a CID intake, maybe a little touch up to the heads, they would probably make good cheap power.
Would this sort of head be useful?
Price in the LS1TECH classifieds was ~$1,100 as is with Del West titanium Valves.
Set of ported 799 (like a 243 head that's been mentioned) Wegner Nascar spec heads out of the board classifieds with titanium valves & beehive springs that can rev to 8,000 rpm with stock LS7 lifters with correct cam selection. There were used on 6.0 blocks and probably good for ~565 whp with dry sump, vacuum pump etc. Like any used head they need to be checked before using.
With ported Super Vic or better yet a CID intake, maybe a little touch up to the heads, they would probably make good cheap power.
Last edited by 99 Black Bird T/A; 11-14-2018 at 05:32 PM.
11-14-2018, 07:50 PM
#27
I know quite a few series that have or are switching over to LS engines because you can actually make more power with relatively few mods than a standard SBC, No need for forged crank/rods/pistons and the valvetrain is pretty stable in the stock configuration. It's easy to make 500+hp with mostly stock parts. The LS platform is a huge upgrade in many ways over the old small block.
11-15-2018, 07:36 PM
#28
I know quite a few series that have or are switching over to LS engines because you can actually make more power with relatively few mods than a standard SBC, No need for forged crank/rods/pistons and the valvetrain is pretty stable in the stock configuration. It's easy to make 500+hp with mostly stock parts. The LS platform is a huge upgrade in many ways over the old small block.
But, everyone today uses aftermarket blocks and parts, and also crate motors for beginners. The gen 1 circle track motors are reasonably priced. Anyway, it was a nice thought. Maybe he should take Blackbirds suggestion. At least in open class racing where you do it for fun.
03-30-2019, 12:35 PM
#29
Updating an old thread. Have switched gears a bit. Still using 5.3 Gen III. Sticking with stock heads / short block. Just going to do a few upgrades to get 475 ish HP that will run all day. Thinking rod bolts, valve springs and a cam.
Called Comp Cams, they kinda steered me in a very expensive direction that seemed overkill when my goal is 475 hp and a 3500-7000 rpm race range.
It's got the 706 heads on it, but my local pick-a-part has 862's for 80 bucks if I go pull them off myself, thinking of doing that just so I don't have to worry about cracked heads.
Called Comp Cams, they kinda steered me in a very expensive direction that seemed overkill when my goal is 475 hp and a 3500-7000 rpm race range.
It's got the 706 heads on it, but my local pick-a-part has 862's for 80 bucks if I go pull them off myself, thinking of doing that just so I don't have to worry about cracked heads.
04-06-2019, 01:20 PM
#30
Updating an old thread. Have switched gears a bit. Still using 5.3 Gen III. Sticking with stock heads / short block. Just going to do a few upgrades to get 475 ish HP that will run all day. Thinking rod bolts, valve springs and a cam.
Called Comp Cams, they kinda steered me in a very expensive direction that seemed overkill when my goal is 475 hp and a 3500-7000 rpm race range.
It's got the 706 heads on it, but my local pick-a-part has 862's for 80 bucks if I go pull them off myself, thinking of doing that just so I don't have to worry about cracked heads.
Called Comp Cams, they kinda steered me in a very expensive direction that seemed overkill when my goal is 475 hp and a 3500-7000 rpm race range.
It's got the 706 heads on it, but my local pick-a-part has 862's for 80 bucks if I go pull them off myself, thinking of doing that just so I don't have to worry about cracked heads.