LS3 Swap Help
04-18-2016, 11:44 AM
#1
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LS3 Swap Help Hey folks,
How are you all doing? I have recently sold my motorcycle and have funds in preparation to purchase my motor for my RX7. I need some assistance on where to go get one either built or just bolt on.
What I am looking for is the ultimate goal of over 500 RWHP and a daily driver. I am in Alabama so I don't have to worry too much about emissions so I am going long tube headers and exhaust. Can someone point me where to go? My pocket is only 9K deep so that is all I got to play with right now. Thanks
How are you all doing? I have recently sold my motorcycle and have funds in preparation to purchase my motor for my RX7. I need some assistance on where to go get one either built or just bolt on.
What I am looking for is the ultimate goal of over 500 RWHP and a daily driver. I am in Alabama so I don't have to worry too much about emissions so I am going long tube headers and exhaust. Can someone point me where to go? My pocket is only 9K deep so that is all I got to play with right now. Thanks
04-20-2016, 02:11 PM
#3
Get a complete base 430 HP crate LS3 --->> http://www.chevrolet.com/performance...gines/ls3.html
The only different between that 525 HP LS3 and the base LS3 is the cam. And that cam really isn't all that impressive.
Put a 'real' cam in that crate engine along with some 'real' valve springs, and you can get 50 to 100 HP more than that '525 HP' LS3.
In any case, either engine will come with a (2 year?) GM warranty.
KW
NOTE.....Scoggin Dickie has these engines for a bit less. They don't seem to have the base LS3 crate motor but they do have the 480 HP crate motor that's about $1000 less than the 525 HP crate. Again, the only difference in these engines is the cam....so I'd look at buying the least expensive (lowest HP LS3) they have and sticking a custom cam in it......
https://sdparts.com/i-19928374-chevr...ine-480hp.html
.
Last edited by KW Baraka; 04-20-2016 at 02:21 PM.
04-20-2016, 04:58 PM
#4
Yeah I had that thought at one time myself, but I think I talked myself out of it because
I wasn't sure how the warranty would work if I put a different cam in the less expensive
one, I did not check on it though it may not make a difference. I sure liked the idea of having
everything all at once, as far as engine goes.
I wasn't sure how the warranty would work if I put a different cam in the less expensive
one, I did not check on it though it may not make a difference. I sure liked the idea of having
everything all at once, as far as engine goes.
04-20-2016, 06:54 PM
#5
With a $9000 budget, I would sit down and make a spreadsheet with all the parts needed for a swap, engine mount, trans, fans, wire harness. Once all the secondary things are tallied for, with what you have left it will basically tell you what engine to get.
You can go with a dropout, which sometimes you get the deal but you never know the condition of the block until you turn the key. It will run close to the price of a crate engine, but comes with all the accessories which is nice to have.
As difference in why getting a crate instead of a built one, well, crate is built by GM so it is doubtful you will run into any issues with the engine. In fact you can get the LS3 480hp for $6300 from Summit shipped to your door. Plenty of power there, use the 2 yr warranty for anything that can happen in between but it is rare that you will ever need to place a claim. After that you can swap the cam if you want to. You will need a harness for it, plus ECM and pedal. Plenty of harness swap people around, I used www.bp-automotive.com and had great experience with them.
I have learned my lesson, I have spent well over what a crate LS3 engine would have cost rather than going with a engine builder which then turned out to be a bad experience. Live and learn as they say, but if I had to do this all over again, I'll buy new GM crate engine and know that at least I will not have an issue with the engine build.
You can go with a dropout, which sometimes you get the deal but you never know the condition of the block until you turn the key. It will run close to the price of a crate engine, but comes with all the accessories which is nice to have.
As difference in why getting a crate instead of a built one, well, crate is built by GM so it is doubtful you will run into any issues with the engine. In fact you can get the LS3 480hp for $6300 from Summit shipped to your door. Plenty of power there, use the 2 yr warranty for anything that can happen in between but it is rare that you will ever need to place a claim. After that you can swap the cam if you want to. You will need a harness for it, plus ECM and pedal. Plenty of harness swap people around, I used www.bp-automotive.com and had great experience with them.
I have learned my lesson, I have spent well over what a crate LS3 engine would have cost rather than going with a engine builder which then turned out to be a bad experience. Live and learn as they say, but if I had to do this all over again, I'll buy new GM crate engine and know that at least I will not have an issue with the engine build.
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MShea (09-26-2022)
04-21-2016, 02:29 AM
#6
If this budget includes headers/exhaust, PCM/harness, then you better start looking at used motors. Parts add up fast.
Www.norotors.com is the best v8 rx7 swap forum.
Www.norotors.com is the best v8 rx7 swap forum.
04-21-2016, 06:56 AM
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If for any chance it is easier to get a legitimate builder to build me an LS3 stroker for a decent price then I would. The cheapest builder I saw that has good stoker engines are Texas Speedwords. But that is pushing my budget.
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04-21-2016, 03:19 PM
#8
Nah.....you don't want that one.
Get a complete base 430 HP crate LS3 --->> http://www.chevrolet.com/performance...gines/ls3.html
The only different between that 525 HP LS3 and the base LS3 is the cam. And that cam really isn't all that impressive.
Put a 'real' cam in that crate engine along with some 'real' valve springs, and you can get 50 to 100 HP more than that '525 HP' LS3.
In any case, either engine will come with a (2 year?) GM warranty.
KW
NOTE.....Scoggin Dickie has these engines for a bit less. They don't seem to have the base LS3 crate motor but they do have the 480 HP crate motor that's about $1000 less than the 525 HP crate. Again, the only difference in these engines is the cam....so I'd look at buying the least expensive (lowest HP LS3) they have and sticking a custom cam in it......
https://sdparts.com/i-19928374-chevr...ine-480hp.html
.
Get a complete base 430 HP crate LS3 --->> http://www.chevrolet.com/performance...gines/ls3.html
The only different between that 525 HP LS3 and the base LS3 is the cam. And that cam really isn't all that impressive.
Put a 'real' cam in that crate engine along with some 'real' valve springs, and you can get 50 to 100 HP more than that '525 HP' LS3.
In any case, either engine will come with a (2 year?) GM warranty.
KW
NOTE.....Scoggin Dickie has these engines for a bit less. They don't seem to have the base LS3 crate motor but they do have the 480 HP crate motor that's about $1000 less than the 525 HP crate. Again, the only difference in these engines is the cam....so I'd look at buying the least expensive (lowest HP LS3) they have and sticking a custom cam in it......
https://sdparts.com/i-19928374-chevr...ine-480hp.html
.
04-25-2016, 10:10 AM
#10
This is what i put in my CTS-V this weekend, should make over 500 rwhp and drive great. Have less than $7k in it
LS3 shortblock
Ported LS3 Heads by Frankenstein racing with dual valve spring and Ti Retainers 11.0:1 compression
Ported LS3 Intake by Frankenstein racing
Ported LS2 Throttle Body by Frankenstein racing
LS3 Injectors
Custom Frankenstein racing cam 233 dur .630 lift intake 246 dur .605 lift exhaust 113 +3 LSA
SLP 25% Underdrive Pulley
ARP Rod Bolts
Melling High Pressure Oil Pump
Comp Cam Rocker Trunion Upgrade
ARP Head Bolts
Improved Racing Oil Pan Baffle
Norris Motorsports Catch Can
and a bunch of misc parts for the LS3 Swap
Hoping for 500-525+ RWHP.
Video - with exhaust
LS3 shortblock
Ported LS3 Heads by Frankenstein racing with dual valve spring and Ti Retainers 11.0:1 compression
Ported LS3 Intake by Frankenstein racing
Ported LS2 Throttle Body by Frankenstein racing
LS3 Injectors
Custom Frankenstein racing cam 233 dur .630 lift intake 246 dur .605 lift exhaust 113 +3 LSA
SLP 25% Underdrive Pulley
ARP Rod Bolts
Melling High Pressure Oil Pump
Comp Cam Rocker Trunion Upgrade
ARP Head Bolts
Improved Racing Oil Pan Baffle
Norris Motorsports Catch Can
and a bunch of misc parts for the LS3 Swap
Hoping for 500-525+ RWHP.
Video - with exhaust