ls7 top end conversion complete!
ls7 top end conversion complete! I purchased a stock LS7 top end 6 months ago, with the thought in mind that I'd simply do a heads/cam. Well that turned into a whole motor redo, mainly because of the valve/piston clearance issues. I flycut them in the car, but could not get the exhaust to my liking. I pulled the motor and went through it. Boy am I glad I did. 2 pistons in backwards, very worn bearings, needle bearings and spring seats in oil pan from old motor disaster, ONE bolt in main cap (the rest were all studs), and my favorite...a parts sticker covering 1/2 the oil pick up tube. Not a good motor build.
On to the positive. With the help of my good buddy Jay at Jay Riddle Racing, we went through the whole motor, very meticulously. He did an amazing job hand finishing the GM LS7 heads (390/256 cfm!!!). We dialed everything in just right. Since I'm running a massive cam w regards to lift, we ordered custom lash caps to get the valvetrain geometry dead nuts on. We also used Harley spring seats with custom washers press fit into the bottom of the spring bases, so there is no slop between the bases and the valve guides. He also hand clearanced the pistons and cleaned the skirts up, as they were worn from dirt/debris in the motor from the initial build.
The engine runs great, very smooth and little valvetrain noise. Cant wait to get her tuned, get some miles on it and let it eat...you can just tell it was WAAAY more power...old heads were ~310 cfm. Do the math
On to the positive. With the help of my good buddy Jay at Jay Riddle Racing, we went through the whole motor, very meticulously. He did an amazing job hand finishing the GM LS7 heads (390/256 cfm!!!). We dialed everything in just right. Since I'm running a massive cam w regards to lift, we ordered custom lash caps to get the valvetrain geometry dead nuts on. We also used Harley spring seats with custom washers press fit into the bottom of the spring bases, so there is no slop between the bases and the valve guides. He also hand clearanced the pistons and cleaned the skirts up, as they were worn from dirt/debris in the motor from the initial build.
The engine runs great, very smooth and little valvetrain noise. Cant wait to get her tuned, get some miles on it and let it eat...you can just tell it was WAAAY more power...old heads were ~310 cfm. Do the math
Beat on the car some tonight, the rpms sure do come in a hurry! Man this is way more cylinder head than my old one, cant wait for rwhp numbers, and better yet ET and MPH.
