Build or buy?
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Build or buy? New to the LSX platform. Wanted a high H.P. LS for drag racing. 700-800 horsepower at the rear wheels is my goal. Since I haven't worked on LS motors before I'm a bit leary about trying to build one. Wondering if there is a place that builds them with that much H.P. that can be dropped in. Only condition is no power adders (for now). Or should I just jump in and start getting my hands greasy? Any thoughts?
Banned
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Studewood/Acres-Homes TX.
Call Vengeance,HKE,or LME... 800hp is just a call away, thank you for dialing LS1tech... oh yeah be sure to bring your Checkbook or any major Credit card with over 9grand minimum.Again thanks from LS1tech.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Studewood/Acres-Homes TX.
Block$2000 min-Rotating assembly$2000 min-Heads$2500 min-Induction$1300 min-Electronics$1000 min-And the over all engine build it self boring,honing...etc 2500 min not including Solid roller cam and Jesel rocker arms also lifters....500,1500,600 all are min prices.....
Trending Topics
Banned
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Studewood/Acres-Homes TX.
call this # 713 849-4505 ask for bryan (IT"S) LME racing engines let me know how it goes. I'm going to meet brother for a Smoke session and brunch! Let me know what part of the world you are in and I could probably get someone closer... but I would stick to LME he's done this well over 1000 times tell him Paco the 1 eyed black dude with the Explorer sent you.He'll give you the best bang for the buck.....
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
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
800HP and 800 RWHP is a huge difference. You can make 800 crank HP with off the shelf parts. 800 RWHP is going to take much more carefully selected, and expensive components and expect to pay accordingly.
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 106
Likes: 4
Bryan @ LME is gonna build my RHS 427 LS7 built for boost with MAST's large bore LS3 heads. Quoted estimate.....$14k. So, if you're estimating $15k, you're right on par for something built to handle 800 hp. Don't forget headers, coils, wires, tuning, harness, etc. That's extra. 
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 106
Likes: 4
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
I got 2 letters for you "FI" will be the easiest way.
If NA, I would be thinking cubic inch= LSX 434ci 440ci or 454ci. There is no replacement for displacement.
But how fast are you trying to go? 700-800rwhp, you better have a chassis, suspension, and drivetrain that can be able to handle that power, because if she ever hooks, say goodbye to your chassis, drivetrain, and suspension.
If NA, I would be thinking cubic inch= LSX 434ci 440ci or 454ci. There is no replacement for displacement.
But how fast are you trying to go? 700-800rwhp, you better have a chassis, suspension, and drivetrain that can be able to handle that power, because if she ever hooks, say goodbye to your chassis, drivetrain, and suspension.
the price I got was from LME. definitely has a good rep from what I see. quote I got was $27,000 complete including engine mgmt. bout 7k more than I figured. Guess going LSX is more expensive than I thought.
I say get your hands dirty and don't let yourself be pinned to bondage of depending on any one if you can do it yourself.
I decided a while back to go back to racing after I raised my childrens, that's when paid every penny asked to Brian at LME sent me a complete engine but did not start, every thing was rite drove me nuts, I decided to take the car to the dealer and let the techs go true it, they kept the car two days, asked me to take the car away everything was rite according to them should start, took it home till one day I decided to look in the crank sensor hole on the original block and compare to what was in the new one, that's when I discover the problem, I didn't even know at the time what it was, it was all new to me never used nothing but distributor before, it was the wrong relucter wheel, lesson number one, never ever buy an engine across state line, cause when you have trouble as Brian said is your fault and never took responsibility or helped in any way to remedy my situation, back then there was no conversion box so I had to take the engine out and disassemble it myself and send the crank back to manufacturer to change the reluctor wheel, in the process I found the double roller timing chain was rubbing the oil pump and though did not start there was a lot of metal shaved off in the area.
Lesson learned do it your self no body will beat you, no body will burn you, and the satisfaction will be, always all yours and what you learn will be priceless.
Plus you can get much better parts with the money you save.
Just buy a book on how to hot rod the LS engine.IMO
I decided a while back to go back to racing after I raised my childrens, that's when paid every penny asked to Brian at LME sent me a complete engine but did not start, every thing was rite drove me nuts, I decided to take the car to the dealer and let the techs go true it, they kept the car two days, asked me to take the car away everything was rite according to them should start, took it home till one day I decided to look in the crank sensor hole on the original block and compare to what was in the new one, that's when I discover the problem, I didn't even know at the time what it was, it was all new to me never used nothing but distributor before, it was the wrong relucter wheel, lesson number one, never ever buy an engine across state line, cause when you have trouble as Brian said is your fault and never took responsibility or helped in any way to remedy my situation, back then there was no conversion box so I had to take the engine out and disassemble it myself and send the crank back to manufacturer to change the reluctor wheel, in the process I found the double roller timing chain was rubbing the oil pump and though did not start there was a lot of metal shaved off in the area.
Lesson learned do it your self no body will beat you, no body will burn you, and the satisfaction will be, always all yours and what you learn will be priceless.
Plus you can get much better parts with the money you save.
Just buy a book on how to hot rod the LS engine.IMO
Banned
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Studewood/Acres-Homes TX.
Mr.Dos Equis,,,,,,,,,,One thing I do KNOW for FACT if You can't put it down to the pavement= KNOW USE oF HP........IF Drag 
GREAT
For the street... Got 4 wd cause Porsche VS 20...........Corvette,Ain't going to Cut it.
GREATFor the street... Got 4 wd cause Porsche VS 20...........Corvette,Ain't going to Cut it.
LSX cast iron block shipped around $2,500
crank rods and pistons 2,900
Mast Heads TD machine rockers/push rods 4,700
cam lifters timing chain 1,850
engine block covers/valve covers block plug kit oil pump oil pan $900.
intake and throttle body 900 to 1,700 depending on whether hood scoop or closed hood and cable or drive by wire
harmonic damper 400.
So far about $15K all first class parts then add an M40 GM computer 200. plus 800 for harness 400 for fuel injectors
Then add 900. for machine chop $17,300
I say 700 rear wheel no problem you may have to go to a front mount distributor to go 800 rear wheel due to rpm range.
A 440 Ci solid lifter 14 to 1 compression with a 6 bolts per cylinder block/heads arrangement Mast 305 heads you are there.
With a carb style throttle body / intake combo from Mast will be too easy.
crank rods and pistons 2,900
Mast Heads TD machine rockers/push rods 4,700
cam lifters timing chain 1,850
engine block covers/valve covers block plug kit oil pump oil pan $900.
intake and throttle body 900 to 1,700 depending on whether hood scoop or closed hood and cable or drive by wire
harmonic damper 400.
So far about $15K all first class parts then add an M40 GM computer 200. plus 800 for harness 400 for fuel injectors
Then add 900. for machine chop $17,300
I say 700 rear wheel no problem you may have to go to a front mount distributor to go 800 rear wheel due to rpm range.
A 440 Ci solid lifter 14 to 1 compression with a 6 bolts per cylinder block/heads arrangement Mast 305 heads you are there.
With a carb style throttle body / intake combo from Mast will be too easy.
Banned
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,137
Likes: 2
From: Studewood/Acres-Homes TX.
One thing I do KNOW for FACT if You can't put it down to the pavement= KNOW USE oF HP........IF U Drag GREAT..I'm street...... HELL DO me 10 sec street club I<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<m there.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
LSX cast iron block shipped around $2,500
crank rods and pistons 2,900
Mast Heads TD machine rockers/push rods 4,700
cam lifters timing chain 1,850
engine block covers/valve covers block plug kit oil pump oil pan $900.
intake and throttle body 900 to 1,700 depending on whether hood scoop or closed hood and cable or drive by wire
harmonic damper 400.
So far about $15K all first class parts then add an M40 GM computer 200. plus 800 for harness 400 for fuel injectors
Then add 900. for machine chop $17,300
I say 700 rear wheel no problem you may have to go to a front mount distributor to go 800 rear wheel due to rpm range.
A 440 Ci solid lifter 14 to 1 compression with a 6 bolts per cylinder block/heads arrangement Mast 305 heads you are there.
With a carb style throttle body / intake combo from Mast will be too easy.
crank rods and pistons 2,900
Mast Heads TD machine rockers/push rods 4,700
cam lifters timing chain 1,850
engine block covers/valve covers block plug kit oil pump oil pan $900.
intake and throttle body 900 to 1,700 depending on whether hood scoop or closed hood and cable or drive by wire
harmonic damper 400.
So far about $15K all first class parts then add an M40 GM computer 200. plus 800 for harness 400 for fuel injectors
Then add 900. for machine chop $17,300
I say 700 rear wheel no problem you may have to go to a front mount distributor to go 800 rear wheel due to rpm range.
A 440 Ci solid lifter 14 to 1 compression with a 6 bolts per cylinder block/heads arrangement Mast 305 heads you are there.
With a carb style throttle body / intake combo from Mast will be too easy.
