LS7 Internal questions
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2011
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LS7 Internal questions Happy New Year all,
Long story that I'll keep short, I just picked up a LS7 long block for cheap....with a 1 bent rod. I've occasionally seen used factory rods for sale on eBay. There's nothing there now.
Not trying to keep this on the cheap... what would any of you recommend for a complete rotating assembly to replace the stock pieces? What shop/builder would you trust on the East Coast, Virginia's, Georgia and Carolina's area to install the assembly?
Intentions for this engine are to run it carburated, street/strip possibly with a small shot of speed gas. Thanks in advance for the help.
V/R
Joel
Long story that I'll keep short, I just picked up a LS7 long block for cheap....with a 1 bent rod. I've occasionally seen used factory rods for sale on eBay. There's nothing there now.
Not trying to keep this on the cheap... what would any of you recommend for a complete rotating assembly to replace the stock pieces? What shop/builder would you trust on the East Coast, Virginia's, Georgia and Carolina's area to install the assembly?
Intentions for this engine are to run it carburated, street/strip possibly with a small shot of speed gas. Thanks in advance for the help.
V/R
Joel
well ls7 rods are titanium so not only are they really light but incredibly strong. I'd much rather have a complete set of those over a set of forged ones. why not just call gm or scoggin dickey and get a replacement rod? it would be much cheaper than a new assembly and ls7 rods have been known to take well over 600hp
well ls7 rods are titanium so not only are they really light but incredibly strong. I'd much rather have a complete set of those over a set of forged ones. why not just call gm or scoggin dickey and get a replacement rod? it would be much cheaper than a new assembly and ls7 rods have been known to take well over 600hp
Ls7 ti rods are barely worth their weight in scrap, much less in any sort of purpose-built engine. First thing that should be yanked out, they're junk.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2011
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What makes the stock titanium rods junk? As far as I can see, their C to C length is different then aftermarket rods being offered.
JC
Exactly. The length is shorter than other LS rods due to GM not wanting as short a compression height typical with 4" strokes in these engines.
So you'll need new pistons to go with the rods you'll be buying.
There are many choices out there.. I've had great luck both With Compstar, Manley and K1 on the budget end of things.
So you'll need new pistons to go with the rods you'll be buying.
There are many choices out there.. I've had great luck both With Compstar, Manley and K1 on the budget end of things.
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not saying your wrong but can you post up some links to where people have had issues. I have seen multiple builds of them supporting well over 600hp and the stock redline on an ls7 in 7k so idk that I would call them junk. if the op isnt planning on going to 1000 hp and building a race motor i think i'd keep the titanium lightweight rods and save a bit of money. if the motor is going to the sky hp limits and 8000 rpms then i might look to upgrade just my .02
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Teching In
Joined: Jul 2011
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not saying your wrong but can you post up some links to where people have had issues. I have seen multiple builds of them supporting well over 600hp and the stock redline on an ls7 in 7k so idk that I would call them junk. if the op isnt planning on going to 1000 hp and building a race motor i think i'd keep the titanium lightweight rods and save a bit of money. if the motor is going to the sky hp limits and 8000 rpms then i might look to upgrade just my .02
Joel C
Staging Lane
Joined: Jan 2010
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not saying your wrong but can you post up some links to where people have had issues. I have seen multiple builds of them supporting well over 600hp and the stock redline on an ls7 in 7k so idk that I would call them junk. if the op isnt planning on going to 1000 hp and building a race motor i think i'd keep the titanium lightweight rods and save a bit of money. if the motor is going to the sky hp limits and 8000 rpms then i might look to upgrade just my .02
My rookie .02...Ti are lightweight, great for street cars and can hold 600 HP. If you're gonna beat on it be prepared to rebuild. Me, I put Crower billets in my LS7...
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
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If you have a bent rod, check the block very closely. LS7 sleeves are kind of thin and whatever bent the rod could have also damaged the sleeve.
Lots of sponsors on here that can sell you a complete balanced rotating assembly. If you only need one rod and everything else checks out OK, that would be your least expensive option coupled with a new cam and valve springs.
Lots of sponsors on here that can sell you a complete balanced rotating assembly. If you only need one rod and everything else checks out OK, that would be your least expensive option coupled with a new cam and valve springs.
I've not heard anything about the sleeve "thickness", you can look at Darton's site and see the difference in the metallurgy between their sleeves and the factory sleeves. The alloy used is much weaker in factory sleeves...
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Teching In
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JC
On The Tree
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From: Northville, Michigan
The best thing to do with stock LS7 rods is to send them to KATECH and have them install a one-piece bushing in the small end and their H11 bolts. This is a standard upgrade that KATECH does.
Next, I would recommend that you order a set of 4.130-inch MAHLE pistons. Part number LS7181130F03. These pistons are designed to work with the Titanium rods. They will yield approximately 11.4:1 compression ratio with 70 CC LS7 heads.
After that, I would have your rotating assembly internally balanced and put an ATI damper on the front of the motor. Part number 918620.
Good luck with your new motor.
-
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
The best thing to do with stock LS7 rods is to send them to KATECH and have them install a one-piece bushing in the small end and their H11 bolts. This is a standard upgrade that KATECH does.
Next, I would recommend that you order a set of 4.130-inch MAHLE pistons. Part number LS7181130F03. These pistons are designed to work with the Titanium rods. They will yield approximately 11.4:1 compression ratio with 70 CC LS7 heads.
After that, I would have your rotating assembly internally balanced and put an ATI damper on the front of the motor. Part number 918620.
Good luck with your new motor.
-
Next, I would recommend that you order a set of 4.130-inch MAHLE pistons. Part number LS7181130F03. These pistons are designed to work with the Titanium rods. They will yield approximately 11.4:1 compression ratio with 70 CC LS7 heads.
After that, I would have your rotating assembly internally balanced and put an ATI damper on the front of the motor. Part number 918620.
Good luck with your new motor.
-
Joel C
