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LS3 480HP cheaper alternative???

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Old May 25, 2011 | 12:05 PM
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Default LS3 480HP cheaper alternative???

I want to make swap into e36 bmw and best I can find in stock form is new LS3 with 480HP for 6500$. But, is it here in market any new LS1 tuned engine with 500-550HP for same price (-7000$)? Why LS1? Because all swap kits is for LS1.

thanks
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Old May 25, 2011 | 12:40 PM
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You want 500 at the wheels or engine?

You can get a bare aluminum block for $1500, rotating assembly for $2000, heads for $1000 and assembly/rest of the parts needed and you will have a 500rwhp bulletproof engine.

Or you can get a low mileage long block for $3000 and do cam + bolt-ons and have a 500 hp engine.
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Old May 25, 2011 | 12:57 PM
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or you could get a complete, with accessories, intake etc 5.3 for $500, then spend another couple thousand on a turbo setup for it.... make a little over 500 at the wheels and keep it safe, or go ***** out with it and push closer to 600....
then again.. thats only affordable if you do most of the swap fabrication yourself. if you're relying on a bolt in kit, you dont need to do FI.
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Old May 25, 2011 | 01:07 PM
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I want N/A 500-550HP at crank, assembled NEW engine with minimum 470lb flat torque curves, just like ls7. Maybe I am to optimistic?
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Old May 25, 2011 | 01:45 PM
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Originally Posted by foler
I want N/A 500-550HP at crank, assembled NEW engine with minimum 470lb flat torque curves, just like ls7. Maybe I am to optimistic?
theres no such thing as a new motor.. its not a motor until it runs, and once it runs, its not new.
that said, no... you're not asking too much..
you're spending extra money that you dont have to, but what you're asking for isnt too difficult. You just cant do it cheaply.
its not the parts that make it so you cant do it cheap, its the fact you want it NEW that makes it not cheap.
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Old May 26, 2011 | 09:51 PM
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When you say "swap kit", are you talking about physical hardware, or electrical interfaces?

Hardware is the same, and control systems can be adapted. You can most likely go with Gen3 or 4 engines.
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Old May 27, 2011 | 06:58 AM
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Originally Posted by foler
I want N/A 500-550HP at crank, assembled NEW engine with minimum 470lb flat torque curves, just like ls7. Maybe I am to optimistic?
Yes, too optimistic. Going used, low mile will be to your benefit if cost is an issue. Most of the time, its not worth trying to nickel and dime engines together.

Originally Posted by MrDude_1
theres no such thing as a new motor.. its not a motor until it runs, and once it runs, its not new.
You are such a deep thinker....
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Old May 29, 2011 | 02:46 PM
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Originally Posted by foler
I want to make swap into e36 bmw and best I can find in stock form is new LS3 with 480HP for 6500$. But, is it here in market any new LS1 tuned engine with 500-550HP for same price (-7000$)? Why LS1? Because all swap kits is for LS1.

thanks
First off, you couldn't have picked a better engine to put in your e36. There's nothing that an LS engine shouldn't be in . Like the other guys said, there are tons of options out there, but lusting after a brand new engine (with a low budget) quickly limits your options. I know this from first hand experience as I am currently building an engine myself. I too wanted a brand new engine and made a list of what the desired characteristics of the engine should be. I found that the LS 376/480 was the cheapest high powered crate engine that could be found through the typical dealers. I personally like building my own engines though and have greatly exceeded my budget building a large stroker, but hey, back to your more reasonable logic. For background, the 376/480 is just a stock LS3 with a GM Performance hot cam, that is the only considerable difference. The hot cam produces an additional 50 hp which is how they get to 480 hp. This cam produces a very strong torque curve, but certainly not a flat 470 lb-ft curve. With any NA engine it is difficult to get such a FLAT high torque curve without displacement. This is certainly where the LS7 has the advantage. Getting the 500-550 hp number that you are looking for is not a problem, but I think your request for 470 lb-ft of torque across the board is a bit optimistic. My advice would be to go with the 376/480 if you are not comfortable working on engines (And accept being slightly off your expectations). If you don't mind doing some engine work, buy a stock LS3 and get a cam that produces the numbers that you want, plus some custom longtubes. Check out this cam test done by GM High Tech Performance:

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

You can see that the horsepower potential of LS engines is incredible. This will give you a real good idea of what a simple cam swap in an LS3 can do. If you want some real good advice, you're going to have to be more specific about how much you're really willing to spend, what type of driveability you want, any limitations imposed by the e36, etc. That's just my 2cents.
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Old May 29, 2011 | 04:42 PM
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Ill sell you my motor 418 ls3 makes 505/501 with mild cam through a auto for 7k
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Old May 31, 2011 | 07:39 PM
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Originally Posted by foler
I want to make swap into e36 bmw and best I can find in stock form is new LS3 with 480HP for 6500$. But, is it here in market any new LS1 tuned engine with 500-550HP for same price (-7000$)? Why LS1? Because all swap kits is for LS1.

thanks
IMHO: You can't go wrong with the 376/480 motor. Best bang for the buck by far. Could add a fast 102 manifold(would fatten up the area under the curve),
give you a flatter torque line.

Jim

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Old May 31, 2011 | 09:00 PM
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TSP sells a forged LS2 shortblock for 4200 shipped.. put some LS3 heads on it ($700), accessories, oil pan, ls3 intake, injectors, etc ($1000-1200), cam kit ($700) and have a new motor that can take anything you can throw at it should you want to add some nitrous or boost later. I wouldn't pay over 6 grand for a STOCK engine.. just me.
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