LS3 or LS7 Heads for 430 Stroker??
LS3 or LS7 Heads for 430 Stroker?? I would like some good advice on which direction to go with cylinder heads. I have an ERL shortblock being built now. It consists of a 4.130" bore, with a 4.0" stroke. CR will be around 10.8:1. I have decided that with either set up, I will be running the factory intake manifold. I will be consulting a few of the sites cam experts such as Pat G once the decision is made on heads. The combination will need to be based on moderate cam timing. Something in the low 230's intake and lower 240's exhaust on a LSA of around 114 in order to keep the idle manageable. Those are my ideas on the cam, but that will be open to change when a cam recommendation is specified. I intend to run dual catalytic convertors to keep the car running clean. Car will weigh 3800 lbs. 3.73 gears, TKO 600, and a 28" tire. This is a street car that will see some track time for fun. 600-630 horsepower will be the goal. Thanks.
I recently did a 427 ls7 with fast 102 and 250 cam, ported heads and intake, 11.2 comp and it did a little over 600 rwhp. I am now doing a 440 that will have ls3 heads and a smaller cam with about same comp. I expect it to have between 580 to 600 rwhp. I think you need a little more comp and the fast intake if you use the ls3 heads and you probably will reach your goals with the ls7 heads and intake.
580-600 RWHP would be plenty. I would be just fine with that. Is there any noticeable difference between the bottom end torque production of an LS3 vs LS7 top end assuming you are optimizing cam timing for each set up? I am coming from a long background in Pontiacs that always made closer to 600 ft/lbs of torque. I know I will not make that, but it is nice to have a lot of low end when you are dealing with a heavy car. The car weighs 4050 pounds with the Pontiac. It will lose about 200-250 pounds after the swap.
I would like some good advice on which direction to go with cylinder heads. I have an ERL shortblock being built now. It consists of a 4.130" bore, with a 4.0" stroke. CR will be around 10.8:1. I have decided that with either set up, I will be running the factory intake manifold. I will be consulting a few of the sites cam experts such as Pat G once the decision is made on heads. The combination will need to be based on moderate cam timing. Something in the low 230's intake and lower 240's exhaust on a LSA of around 114 in order to keep the idle manageable. Those are my ideas on the cam, but that will be open to change when a cam recommendation is specified. I intend to run dual catalytic convertors to keep the car running clean. Car will weigh 3800 lbs. 3.73 gears, TKO 600, and a 28" tire. This is a street car that will see some track time for fun. 600-630 horsepower will be the goal. Thanks.
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You are right in regards to WCCH. I have decided that I will be purchasing either head from them. I have been leaning toward the LS7 set up. They are more expensive, but sounds like they are worth the difference.
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Well I do have the option to go up in CR, but unfortunately out here on the west coast, we only have 91 octane. The heads can be optimized to adjust as needed for CR. If I do go with the LS7, I will intend to use the factory intake.
If you only want 600 crank HP you are totally wasting money with a ERL build first off. You have to consider Car craft magazine about 3 years ago made 551HP at a streetable 6200rpm with a stock LQ9 shortblock stock LS3 heads and a small comp cam xer281 with 228/23? duration. The last 440lsx I did with WCCH LS7 heads made over 700 at the flywheel with a 238/252 112 cam check out 1CDUB's car just search for his posts that car ran 9's N/A with stock L92 heads on a pump gas 454lsx and he drives the hell out of it !! Another thing to consider on cam is the larger the engine the more it will soak up the cam so your 430 will idle like stock with a 23X/24X cam as long as you stay over 112 lobe seperation
I can appreciate your opinion on power level, but I am not getting caught up in the stated power level game. A good solid reliable engine that is bulletproof is what I wanted. 500-600-700 horsepower....whatever it winds up being is fine. At least with an ERL shortblock, I know I have a solid foundation to build whatever power level I want in the future. Thanks.
Glad I found this thread... looking forward to your results! As for my build, I'm doing a 450 stroker from a LS1 that has been resleeved with Darton's MID wet sleeves. I was hoping for 650-/+ at the wheels with Rich's Stg 3 L92 heads, 11.5:1 (maybe 12:1 since we have 93) and a Vic Jr/Accel 1350cfm 4150. The cam I'm going for is a 251/263 .632”/.632” 110LSA +3 advance. This is getting stuffed into a T/A Vert 
Feel free to suggest ideas
ALL THIS! 
Feel free to suggest ideas
I'd agree LS7 heads for this one would definitely be the way to go.
And I'd throw the PRC line-up into the mix for you to consider
And I'd throw the PRC line-up into the mix for you to consider
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COMP - FAST - PACESETTER - DIAMOND RACING - EAGLE SPECIALTY PRODUCTS - CALLIES - COMETIC GASKETS
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After recently meeting with Richard and Dave of WCCH at thier shop, I decided the LS7 head is the best choice. They are more money, butI just need to be willing to wait a little longer...... and work a few extra shifts in order to step up to the plate.
A few LS7 built motors up in NORCAL are running 11.25:1 compression with WCCH ported LS7 heads and titanium valves with larger springs. Running mildly ported LS7 intake/90mm TB on 91 octane making 550-580rwhp+ depending on which dyno you count
Make sure the piping going to the TB is a straight shot. Any bends in the intake can suck up 10-20rwhp. ie 90* bends
Get an LS7 cylinder head specific camshaft. They like a lot more exhaust duration than intake. I have a QM600 cam in mine.
Here is a good read on LS7 cams and some vendors you can contact:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...running-2.html
Make sure the piping going to the TB is a straight shot. Any bends in the intake can suck up 10-20rwhp. ie 90* bends
Get an LS7 cylinder head specific camshaft. They like a lot more exhaust duration than intake. I have a QM600 cam in mine.
Here is a good read on LS7 cams and some vendors you can contact:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...running-2.html
Good thread thanks. I am going to cam this a little more conservative for once in my life. Probably only going for around 230/240 range. Looking for a real strong torque band and max power before 7k. The car is heavy and I really want good driveability. I also will be running dual cats, so the overlap needs to be kept in check.
Last edited by Later-A-body; Aug 14, 2011 at 12:42 AM.