ls7 or lsx
more specific please Correct me if im wrong but, LSX is just a general name for the whole family of engines LS1/6,LS2/3,and LS7, people got tired of having to explain they blew their LS1 up and put a LQ4 block in with LS6 or LM7,LQ9 or whatever heads when people ask what engine they have in the car, so the easiest answer is to say its an LSX. Cant just say LS engines because half the people will think its from a Luxury Sport GM vehicle or something lol. But you must have seen the new aftermarket LSX block im guessing, they have LSX 364ci,LSX 396ci,LSX 427ci,454ci,and even bigger, called LSX blocks since its a LS? designed to work for all LS type engines. Id imagine you want the LSX 427 or the LS7, I think the LSX is iron block but can handle as much H.P. as you could ever make, the LS7 will be good to what most 10 second cars H.P. will ever see.
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Better and can handle more are two different things to different people. The LS7 block is aluminum and therefore lighter....by around 100 lbs maybe 125 at most I think. It's a decent block and good for Forced Induction up to around 12 to 15lbs of boost. You can go over...but you're getting towards the limit..some blocks will take it while others won't.
The LSX block is cast iron and therefore stronger but at the expense of weight. It's super strong and you could run well over 15lbs of boost if properly prepared. I have heard about a number of casting issues in these blocks though...might be internet hype or might be real...not sure. For the amount of machine work involved in getting an LSX block ready...the cheap price goes out the window......so If I were you and want to run boost then I would look at an RHS block instead.
If you are staying NA then I'd build the LS7 block to keep the cost down.
The LSX block is cast iron and therefore stronger but at the expense of weight. It's super strong and you could run well over 15lbs of boost if properly prepared. I have heard about a number of casting issues in these blocks though...might be internet hype or might be real...not sure. For the amount of machine work involved in getting an LSX block ready...the cheap price goes out the window......so If I were you and want to run boost then I would look at an RHS block instead.
If you are staying NA then I'd build the LS7 block to keep the cost down.
One thing about the standard deck lsx is that the sleeve is shorter than used in the LS7 so it's important to have the correct pistons (meaning built for this issue). Obviously the LSX is much stronger but most have said that the LS7 is fine for most applications.
Trending Topics
LSX is iron and can handle 4 times the HP of the stock LS7 block. The stock LS7 aluminum block is pretty cheesy actually and doesn't do well with high HP. The factory sleeves are quite weak.
If you resleeve a LS7 block...VERY EXPENSIVE....now you have a beast that will handle 1,000 HP.
LSX iron block.......2,500 HP as it comes. Cheaper than the resleeved LS7 too.
Depends on what you want to do with the car.
You want the best, strongest aluminum LSx aluminum block of them all....find an old 1998 LS1 block and have it resleeved. Monster block.......
.
If you resleeve a LS7 block...VERY EXPENSIVE....now you have a beast that will handle 1,000 HP.
LSX iron block.......2,500 HP as it comes. Cheaper than the resleeved LS7 too.
Depends on what you want to do with the car.
You want the best, strongest aluminum LSx aluminum block of them all....find an old 1998 LS1 block and have it resleeved. Monster block.......
.
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
Correct me if im wrong but, LSX is just a general name for the whole family of engines LS1/6,LS2/3,and LS7, people got tired of having to explain they blew their LS1 up and put a LQ4 block in with LS6 or LM7,LQ9 or whatever heads when people ask what engine they have in the car, so the easiest answer is to say its an LSX. Cant just say LS engines because half the people will think its from a Luxury Sport GM vehicle or something lol. But you must have seen the new aftermarket LSX block im guessing, they have LSX 364ci,LSX 396ci,LSX 427ci,454ci,and even bigger, called LSX blocks since its a LS? designed to work for all LS type engines. Id imagine you want the LSX 427 or the LS7, I think the LSX is iron block but can handle as much H.P. as you could ever make, the LS7 will be good to what most 10 second cars H.P. will ever see.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 366
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, AZ
Also look into the RHS blocks. I would go that way if money isn't an option.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 611
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
^Unreal , thank you for that information. Let's be honest money is always a problem haha. But I have the block laying around so knowing possible options is always a nice thing to have for ideas
Buying LS2's or LS7 blocks are a waste of good cash....you get NOTHING in return.
.
NRE builds a 454 TT using the LSX iron block...makes 2,500 HP on 35psi boost.
If you have the cash.....send an LSX iron block to RED and have them put Darton sleeves in it......doesn't get better than that.
.
