Help pick a 600+ hp combination for my setup. LS2?LS3?
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 523
Likes: 58
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Help pick a 600+ hp combination for my setup. LS2?LS3? The car: 1993 Z28. No motor, no PCM, no transmission. Full aftermarket suspension.
The want: 600+ crank hp in a daily driver format.
The twist: I want a 6 speed auto with paddle shifters (6L80E/6L90E). Not interested in using the old LT1 or 4L60E/4L80E. The transmission will fit. The pan on the 6L90E might need to be revised because it hangs about 3" lower than the 4L60E.
What would be the easiest way to do this?
LS2/LS3 with a maggie? (Yes I know about cutting the cowl and spacing the K-member).
Turbo LS2/LS3? Money is a factor and I don't want to break the piggy bank.
New 2014+ LT1 with heads and cam? (Probably get me in the upper 500 hp area).
Open to suggestions.
The want: 600+ crank hp in a daily driver format.
The twist: I want a 6 speed auto with paddle shifters (6L80E/6L90E). Not interested in using the old LT1 or 4L60E/4L80E. The transmission will fit. The pan on the 6L90E might need to be revised because it hangs about 3" lower than the 4L60E.
What would be the easiest way to do this?
LS2/LS3 with a maggie? (Yes I know about cutting the cowl and spacing the K-member).
Turbo LS2/LS3? Money is a factor and I don't want to break the piggy bank.
New 2014+ LT1 with heads and cam? (Probably get me in the upper 500 hp area).
Open to suggestions.
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Alberta
I bought a long block from a large well known engine builder. 418 ci, CNC heads, comp cam with .624 lift. Done. Happened to run across an article doing a dyno test on the engine with a few different cams. Best was 641 HP. Worst was still over 600. I have mine in a 97 BMW 3 series so it is pretty light. It will break the tires loose if I hit it at 3500 in second gear. Only issue I need to get a bit better idle tune. idling along in first gear at under 1500 just isn't happening.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 523
Likes: 58
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
I'm not opposed to a big cube V8 with a big cam. Camaro had a 383 LT1 with a Lloyd Elliot cam that was a 236/242 with a 109 LSA.
Who was the engine builder you went with and do you have a link to the cam article?
Who was the engine builder you went with and do you have a link to the cam article?
Staging Lane
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 82
Likes: 0
From: Calgary, Alberta
Engine is from Texas Speed.
I just looked up the article again. A few years old now:http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/...e-build-part2/
I just looked up the article again. A few years old now:http://www.hotrod.com/how-to/engine/...e-build-part2/
If you want to believe the numbers, buy a bone stock LS3. Throw in the head/cam kit from Trick Flow that claims 580 hp. Add a good intake which most add 20 hp, and you just hit 600 hp with a few bolt-ons and a tune.
Trending Topics
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 368
Likes: 1
From: Raleigh,NC
Check this write up from the Super Chevy magazine.
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/eng...-supersize-me/
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/eng...-supersize-me/
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 255
From: Coast of San Mateo County Between Pacifica & HMB
416 CI W/ MMS 235's, MAMOFIED FAST 102 NW 102 TB
CAM MOTION Cam 243*/247* make 650-680 Crank HP depending on
All the little details. 235*/239* .610"/.590" LSA 115* +3*
make 600-620 Crank and be totally tame Daily Driver!
Heck even 6.0 with MMS 220's could reach 600 Crank
With Low Lash Solid Roller! @ 7K+ RPM
6.2 with 235's also
CAM MOTION Cam 243*/247* make 650-680 Crank HP depending on
All the little details. 235*/239* .610"/.590" LSA 115* +3*
make 600-620 Crank and be totally tame Daily Driver!
Heck even 6.0 with MMS 220's could reach 600 Crank
With Low Lash Solid Roller! @ 7K+ RPM
6.2 with 235's also
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 523
Likes: 58
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Not going to do nitrous.
LS9 will be way out of my price range. How hard would it be to drop an LSA in? Does the LSA blower sit higher than a TVS 2300?
I'm leaning towards heads and cam LS3 but a part of me also wants to go LSX block with a forged bottom end so I have some options in the future. If I were to go with an LSX block, what would be a good set of heads to go with? Are the MMS 235s the best bet? How much are they? Who carries them? Couldn't find a price online.
LS9 will be way out of my price range. How hard would it be to drop an LSA in? Does the LSA blower sit higher than a TVS 2300?
I'm leaning towards heads and cam LS3 but a part of me also wants to go LSX block with a forged bottom end so I have some options in the future. If I were to go with an LSX block, what would be a good set of heads to go with? Are the MMS 235s the best bet? How much are they? Who carries them? Couldn't find a price online.
Last edited by Gripenfelter; May 13, 2015 at 11:25 PM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 523
Likes: 58
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Check this write up from the Super Chevy magazine.
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/eng...-supersize-me/
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/eng...-supersize-me/
416 CI W/ MMS 235's, MAMOFIED FAST 102 NW 102 TB
CAM MOTION Cam 243*/247* make 650-680 Crank HP depending on
All the little details. 235*/239* .610"/.590" LSA 115* +3*
make 600-620 Crank and be totally tame Daily Driver!
Heck even 6.0 with MMS 220's could reach 600 Crank
With Low Lash Solid Roller! @ 7K+ RPM
6.2 with 235's also
CAM MOTION Cam 243*/247* make 650-680 Crank HP depending on
All the little details. 235*/239* .610"/.590" LSA 115* +3*
make 600-620 Crank and be totally tame Daily Driver!
Heck even 6.0 with MMS 220's could reach 600 Crank
With Low Lash Solid Roller! @ 7K+ RPM
6.2 with 235's also
TECH Veteran
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,893
Likes: 703
From: Mississippi
Not going to do nitrous.
LS9 will be way out of my price range. How hard would it be to drop an LSA in? Does the LSA blower sit higher than a TVS 2300?
I'm leaning towards heads and cam LS3 but a part of me also wants to go LSX block with a forged bottom end so I have some options in the future. If I were to go with an LSX block, what would be a good set of heads to go with? Are the MMS 235s the best bet? How much are they? Who carries them? Couldn't find a price online.
LS9 will be way out of my price range. How hard would it be to drop an LSA in? Does the LSA blower sit higher than a TVS 2300?
I'm leaning towards heads and cam LS3 but a part of me also wants to go LSX block with a forged bottom end so I have some options in the future. If I were to go with an LSX block, what would be a good set of heads to go with? Are the MMS 235s the best bet? How much are they? Who carries them? Couldn't find a price online.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-internal-engine/1784755-new-product-launch-mamo-motorsports-235-cc.html
TECH Veteran
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,893
Likes: 703
From: Mississippi
here is a 417 build by the man himself. Visit here......
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamometer-results-comparisons/1324130-417-cid-new-v2-afr-230-heads-now-updated-w-chassis-dyno-s.html
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 523
Likes: 58
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
What do you guys suppose the price difference would be between buying an LS3 motor off eBay to stroke to a 427 or starting with an LSX block and then building from scratch? In both cases I would be using the Mamo 235 or 250 heads and a all new forged internals, f-body oil pan, etc.
I'm concerned about going with a 4.1" stroke on an LS3. Or should I not worry?
I'm concerned about going with a 4.1" stroke on an LS3. Or should I not worry?
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 255
From: Coast of San Mateo County Between Pacifica & HMB
Although some will say not to worry about the 4.1" stroke I
Would not use it. A 4.00" stroke with a LS3 gives 416" and with
The MMS 235 Cylinder Heads will provide easy 550+ RWHP
with a very street able cam. With the LSX Block with a minimum
4.125 Bore I would do the MMS 250, again with a moderate sized
cam and All the little details could approach 600 RWHP.
Contact Tony @ MMS when you are ready!
Would not use it. A 4.00" stroke with a LS3 gives 416" and with
The MMS 235 Cylinder Heads will provide easy 550+ RWHP
with a very street able cam. With the LSX Block with a minimum
4.125 Bore I would do the MMS 250, again with a moderate sized
cam and All the little details could approach 600 RWHP.
Contact Tony @ MMS when you are ready!
TECH Veteran
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,893
Likes: 703
From: Mississippi
^^agreed!! I would NOT recommend a 4.100" stroke om a factory block. It'll pull the piston out the bottom of the bore holes too much. That leads to oil control problems down the road...
Notice you mentioned Lsx block. I would NOT use that block in a all motor application. Sure it have max strength but those blocks weigh 230 lbs!! I would recommend sending a LS2/LS3 block to a shop to have dry sleeved. Plus with Darton sleeves the block will be able to hold 1500 horsepower. With a resleeved block you'll have a longer cylinder wall than factory to play with for large stokes and the bore can go up to 4.185"!! That block would only be 104 lbs on the nose vs 230 with the LSX block## you want to keep all the weight off the nose of the car.
Notice you mentioned Lsx block. I would NOT use that block in a all motor application. Sure it have max strength but those blocks weigh 230 lbs!! I would recommend sending a LS2/LS3 block to a shop to have dry sleeved. Plus with Darton sleeves the block will be able to hold 1500 horsepower. With a resleeved block you'll have a longer cylinder wall than factory to play with for large stokes and the bore can go up to 4.185"!! That block would only be 104 lbs on the nose vs 230 with the LSX block## you want to keep all the weight off the nose of the car.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 523
Likes: 58
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
LS2s are supposed to be stronger but in my application would it be better to just get an LS3 block?
The reason I was looking at an LSX block is because I know someone on the net selling one it's a few hundred cheaper than Jegs.
The reason I was looking at an LSX block is because I know someone on the net selling one it's a few hundred cheaper than Jegs.