mike200827

Hey everybody. I have been racing dirtbikes for a while and am now going to be building a class 1 buggy to race in the desert. i am going to put in an LS3 motor and build it myself. I dont know much about these motor so i am looking for some help.

I dont want to use just stock parts. I am looking to use different crank, pistons, cams, heads, etc. I am looking to get the most horsepower and torque but also making it dependable and reliable for races like the baja 1000. I am guessing i will need titanium rods and such for the reliability. I will not be using any superchargers or turbos.

Specs on the types of cranks and cams and stuff would be a great help.

For those that dont know much about desert racing like this. Its a little bit of everything. Fast sections, slow sections, lots of off and on gas.

So any help would be great. Thanks...Mike

KCS

iTrader: (20)

Titanium rods are not necessary. Simple aluminum pistons and steel rods and crank will be fine. You may want to seriously consider a dry sump oiling system though. The LSx engines are all finicky when they've been run for long periods of high RPM.

mike200827

Definetly going with a dry sump oiling system. It terms of the titanium rods and such, I just want to make sure it is as strong as it could be with the extra power that it is going to be making and for the type of racing and conditions it is going to be put through.

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

Ls3 forged rotating assembly dry sump some trick flow heads, custom specd cam, supporting mods of course. Say hello to 500+rwhp

mike200827

Do recommend any brands for the forged rotating assembly and any recommendations for the type of trick flow heads.

WKMCD

iTrader: (2)

You might want to research on some road course forums to find out why LS3's are blowing up. LS2 block may be a bettter way to go.

brians91formula

iTrader: (12)

Callies crank and rods. Diamond pistons.

Tricflow 235 or 245 heads would work well.

KCS

iTrader: (20)

That's what the dry sump is for. It won't fix it, but it's a good bandaid.

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

Texas speed has a great selection, and if ypu want to stroke it I wouldnt go past a 4" stroke

mike200827

why are they blowing up? Whats wrong with the oil system on the LS3?

Is there any issues with LS7 block in terms of the oiling and them blowing up? If not then...

What is the cost difference between the LS3 and LS7 if you want to build it from scratch? The cost difference in the two blocks is $1300 from texas-speed. But in terms of all the parts, whats the difference in cost? Thanks again for the help.

WKMCD

iTrader: (2)

An excellent setup is an LS2 block with Darton sleeves. Super strong and you can go big with the bore. Keep the stroke to 4 inches. Top it with a good set of LS7 heads and a carb intake setup and big HP numbers get pretty easy with good reliability.

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

LS7 = $$$

You can build an ls3 to be every bit and more badass than an ls7 and for cheaper.

Jerm__

ya....what's wrong with the LS3 block?

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

theres threads about the long high G LEFT hand turn sucking the dry sumps dry. it isnt so much a problem until youre going around a real track with super sticky tires pulling some serious G's

Jerm__

so what is the solution? aftermarket system?

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

I really dont know the answer. I had done a lot of reading over on corvetteforum about it and some suggested larger aftermarket systems

mike200827

well with people saying that the system can suck dry that kinda scares me. Its going to be used in the desert and at high speed. The buggy is going to be bouncing around the whole time for hundreds of miles at a time, especially races like the baja 1000, which is like 1,100 miles non stop. No way I want oiling issues. I am pretty sure that I also read that the LS7 got an updated oiling system. So i am trying to see if that one is better.

I understand it will take more money but its for the long term. And if its a better block, then thats what i am going to get. I did some research and a rotating assembly will be about $2,500 and then the heads with valves and springs installed will be about $3,000. Not as much as I would have thought. Thanks again...Mike

mike200827

how much HP are we talking about?

Tainted

iTrader: (9)

big power, 1000+

Jerm__

Did a bunch of reading and it seems the problem is doing long high G left hand turns. I'm not sure but I believe the high G's can only be attained running slick tires.....someone?