hi guys, i've been reading up on this thread and in books i've purchased about the ls motors but i finally just decided to make a new thread about it.

I'm still new to this forum so my apologies if the topic has been covered (although, i have searched) I was wondering if it's possible to build a complete 427 for roughly 10k. This motor will be going into my nissan 240sx.

I've looked at some of the sponsors on here and it seems like i'm gonna end up paying 5, 6k for a short block alone but i only want to do the short block once and never touch the internals again, lol.

The only problem with that is i want a comparable head package but i know how expensive those can get, then i still have to get an intake manifold and pretty much all the accessories and everything else, oh did i forget to mention i have no other parts for this motor, i'll be buying everything and probably have a shop build it for me or end up buying everything from one place and having them build it and ship it out to me.

Either way i'm looking to spend about 10k (or less, lol) for pretty much a crate engine...i know it's probably not possible but i'm sure there are budget guys out there who have done it or came close to it. 10k is a lot of money for me and for anybody for that matter but i just want to do it once but do it right.

Any help would be much appreciated, thanks guys.
(please move if it's not in the right section.)

 

You could probably get close, but it will be the little things that kill your budget.

 

I agree with Azrael I hate the little things..

LSXIV Check or Call TSP they have awesome prices let them know your budget I'm sure they'll help out.

Or maybe you can build a very stout LS3 418ci ??
Are looking for Aluminum or Iron??

 

It would be close, but I agree w Azrael that you might go over your intended $10K budget on your build.

I agree with calling up a sponsor like Texas Speed or another sponsor of the web site and they'll be happy to talk to you and work on getting and building the engine of your dreams the first time.

 

SDParts.com (Scoggen Dickey) or TSP 427 Long block would be a good starting point. Then pair the long block with a manifold and oil pan that fit properly in the 240 SX's bay.

Check around Bone Yards to Pick up the front accessories (you might be able to salvage a wiring harness and ECU as well).

There are enough rearended LS based cars out there that have good alternators, Power steering pumps, etc to be pulled from.
Just triple check the parts to make sure they will both work together and fit in the 240SX's engine bay.
Check in the conversion forum for which LS accessories work (say 4th gen Fbody) and which do not (say SUV stuff).
FYI: I don't know that's why I'm saying check with people that do.

Also check in the Conversion section for the companies that produce replacement k-members for the 240SX's that allow you to drop in a LS based motor.

Alternate ideas to a purchased long block would be to pick up a LS3/L92 top end out of a reck. Then send the heads and manifold off to be ported (heads to wcch, manifold to fasterproms) and then put them on a 427 short block with a matched cam.
It might cost less then purchasing a long block, but would probably take longer to put everything together.

Then again if you find a good L92 or LS3 from a wrecked vehicle. Get a stroker kit for it (as long as the block is good). Then get a reputable builder to put it all together (with the ported heads and manifold).

 

as someone posted, its the little things that will push the budget. Texas Speed has a 427 ALUMINUM (LS3 block) short block starting at $4,900.
http://texas-speed.com/shop/item.asp...d=822&catid=85
an LSX (iron) block 427 would be starting at $5,700
http://texas-speed.com/shop/item.asp...d=693&catid=82

if you are smart about getting all the little ****, you might pull it off with an LS3 427. with that said, a 402/408 could be had for cheaper, and throw a FAST intake on some ported L92s and youd have a stout combo for a good bit cheaper than a 427.
402--> $3,700
http://texas-speed.com/shop/item.asp?itemid=46&catid=28

 

10k is about what I have into mine. If you shop the deals/sales it can be done.

 

Check out are new sponsor AES Racing they had a good deal on a 427 short block if i remember.

 

If you cant live without anything other than a 427 you are probably going to go over your budget because of all the little stuff. Look into things like 408's, 402's or 418's and you can save a good bit of money. The power differences are going to be minimal and will leave you more money for the other things. Once you have a solid/strong bottom end, the power is made from the heads, intake and cam selection.

 

http://www.texas-speed.com/shop/item...d=828&catid=85

Give us a opportunity to give you a quote, but we'll need a good bit of info on your goals!

 

I've got a 408 in my 240 and very pleased and was on more of a budget than u on the motor. What's your goals with the car?

 

Sounds like you need to call Shawn @ Virginia Speed and see why his shortblocks are better than competition. They do cost more but there is a reason. I've done the "budget build" and the quality you get for a couple more dollars is way worth it. Shawn can tell you whats wrong with the "Budget" shortblocks as he has had one in the CNC and the variances are Bullsh** for what your paying.

 

new short block and heads, everything else used will do to complete the motor.

 

Anyone can easily get you into that for under 10K if you can give up somthing elsewhere. You just might not be happy for what you get with a 10K limit or then again you might be very happy. Not having to have a "427" would help your budget out a lot I can tell you that right off the bat. You could do a 402 and then just think of it as a 427!

 

Agreed!

Been there - done that.

 

Wow! Thanks for all the responses guys, and here i was thinking i was gonna get flamed for noob questions.

I'm still fairly new in terms of terminology with these motors and domestics in general. With imports everything is external, we don't really deal with the internals too much unless we're just doing forged. With these motors it's been crazy learning everything from cam overlap and dish relief and all sorts of fun stuff.

I had originally planned on just getting a junkyard ls1 for cheap and just swapping it over but recently i've become debt free so i'll be saving about 2 g's per month so i thought man, 427 is such a special number and just thought what the hey. So that's why i'm kind of stuck on it but now that you guys say 418 or 408 it's got me thinking.

Goals for the car is pretty straightforward, it's going to be my weekend/show/drag car lol...it doesn't get driven much as it is...i only have about 63k on it and just trying to keep the mileage low...but on occasion take it to the strip to get the full use of the vehicle, no drifting or any of that other crap.

Jason, i was looking at your website and kind of pricing together the options of what you guys had on the 427 ls7 block and it was pretty much coming out to about 9 k for the shortblock.

For shortblock options other than a ls7 or lsx block will all others have to be stroked? If so what will the difference between stroked and unstroked?

Oh and i've got the oil pan, mounts, driveshaft, p/s lines already picked out so the conversion aspect is there for my car, just got to actually get a motor and drop it in and then there is still the tranny i have to get.

I never realized how much went into building a motor until i got into ls's...i always thought american engines were simple but boy was i wrong.

Exactly why i just want to build the shortblock one and have it done right, the heads and intake and other items can also be changed later for way cheaper.

I'm still trying to figure out all the numbers with heads and cams...they are kind of confusing.

 

Well for an extremely basic rundown the cubic inches or displacement is determined by the bore and the stroke. Stroking the engine is usually a term for placing a larger stroke crankshaft into the engine to increase the displacement in the cylinder. EG a stock LS1 block (3.897-3.898 bore) with a 4.0" crank (instead of the stock 3.622") would become a ~383ci (instead of a 346ci) (of course this is not everything involved but that is the basic stroke portion of the equation).

The actual equation is like:
Pi x (1/2 bore x 1/2 bore) x stroke x number of cylinders = Displacement
or
3.1416 x (1.949 x 1.949) x 3.622 x 8 = 345.79 (346)
3.1416 x (1.949 x 1.949) x 4.00 x 8 = 381.88 (382)

EDIT: Sorry, just got off of work and my brain is transposing things... heheh

 

The heads and intake are the big deal with the extra money. I have an ls7 block from sdpc and callies rotating assembley from speedinc with wiseco pistons. I can stay well under 10.000 if I use some ls3 heads and intake, even with a fast intake, and reasonable valves, springs, stock rockers. If I go with the better heads and a tricked out valvetrain then I can go over $10k quite easily. I am building the engine myself so probabley subtract a little for labor and freight. I have the ls3 topend already but am thinking of going with the new lsx heads or 245 trickflows...do I spend the extra $3k for another 50 hp or so. Good luck with your engine.

 

I would either settle on less cubes or wait till you have more money saved up..or increase your budget lol.

 

I've got 13k in my 416 long block. The only used parts were the rods,oil pan,rear cover, and valve covers. The 13k includes hand ported L92 heads, the intake, and some coatings, and all machine work. I think for 10k you could for sure do a 408,or a 416, not a 427. The cost depends on the options you want and the intial cost of your core motor.
The cost on mine could have been more. I skipped on shaft rockers an easy 1k more of cost. I bought a 200.00 balancer,rather then a 400.00 one.I went with the stock type manifold 250.00 compared to 1k for the Fast not including the T-body.
I did buy the best valve springs, valves,and pushrods that are out for these heads.