Generation IV Internal Engine 2005-2014 LS2 | LS3 | LS7 | L92 | LS9

LS3 with LS7 heads - valve relief question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 4, 2017 | 12:58 AM
  #1  
ColeGTO's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 340
Likes: 20
From: Simi Valley, CA
Default LS3 with LS7 heads - valve relief question

I finally found a LS3 bare block. I'm going to build either a stock rod/stroke LS3 or a 6.125"/4.000" rod/stroke 416. I already have both LSX-LS7 heads and OE LS7 heads in the garage, both need minor repair. I also have a matching LS7 EFI intake.

No, I'm not selling them and going with a LS3 head.

My question is, if I buy aftermarket forged LS3 or L92 pistons, will the valve relief positions in a LS3 designed piston give me hell with the LS7 valve placements?

If I go with standard "rebuilder" hyper pistons, then I'd pick the L92 since they will have valve reliefs, but will they still be sufficient to clear the LS7 valves?

I'm going to be running the GM LSX454 cam because it's free and a decent choice for my 2005 GTO street car build - 236/246 @ .050" and .648"/.648" lift (LS7 1.8 rockers) on a 110 LSA. So I'm certain I'll need some sort of valve reliefs.




Thanks,
Cole
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2017 | 07:29 AM
  #2  
KCS's Avatar
KCS
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,859
Likes: 323
From: Conroe, TX
Default

The LS7 and LS3 valves are in different spots, and with that cam, you may not have the clearance you need. I would suggest checking with a vendor here or one of the piston manufacturers of your choice to see what they say. It's been done, though. You just may need small changes made to your piston.
Reply
Old Nov 4, 2017 | 10:17 PM
  #3  
ColeGTO's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 340
Likes: 20
From: Simi Valley, CA
Default

Originally Posted by KCS
The LS7 and LS3 valves are in different spots, and with that cam, you may not have the clearance you need. I would suggest checking with a vendor here or one of the piston manufacturers of your choice to see what they say. It's been done, though. You just may need small changes made to your piston.
Thanks for the info. I'll be calling a few people on Monday.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2017 | 01:11 AM
  #4  
03EBZ06's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 1
Default

FWIW, I just got done w/mods to my LS3/SMALL BORE MAST LS7 265CC head setup. ~640rwhp so far. I'm not sure what those heads would be worth in power over the ones I have on a similar engine.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2017 | 01:13 AM
  #5  
DietCoke's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,869
Likes: 60
From: Richmond Hill, GA
Default

They'll work fine, even with stock sized valves and placement.

Source: Own engine - 630rwhp through an automatic.
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2017 | 02:08 PM
  #6  
ColeGTO's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 340
Likes: 20
From: Simi Valley, CA
Default

Originally Posted by DietCoke
They'll work fine, even with stock sized valves and placement.

Source: Own engine - 630rwhp through an automatic.
What heads and pistons did you use in your build?
Reply
Old Nov 5, 2017 | 02:39 PM
  #7  
DietCoke's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,869
Likes: 60
From: Richmond Hill, GA
Default

Originally Posted by ColeGTO
What heads and pistons did you use in your build?
I used stock LS7 heads worked over, and a small bore LS7 head that is no longer on the market. Wiseco pistons
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2017 | 02:42 AM
  #8  
Patron's Avatar
Banned
 
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 948
Likes: 1
Default

Good to see you still around Diet. Cole how did it work out with the post I left over on YB did they say it would work out with the JE pistons as I said?

Also here's 1 again......Ls7 heads on a Ls3 Camaro with factory pistons. Mag has more reading but the pic's tell it all...little fly cutting of the pistons .080 intake and .070 exhaust. .629/.620 cam lift no duration listed. I have the mag.

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/ght...r-heads-ls7up/
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Nov 11, 2017 | 12:47 AM
  #9  
DietCoke's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,869
Likes: 60
From: Richmond Hill, GA
Default

The ls3 heads of today are just as good as the ls7 variety. I only used ls7 stuff because the ls3 support wasnt around in 10/11. If you have ls7 intake and stuff you want to use, the ls7 stuff will work. The oversized valves arent ideal for max power, because of clearance/shrouding, but do not perform poorly, either.
Reply
Old Nov 12, 2017 | 12:36 PM
  #10  
ColeGTO's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 340
Likes: 20
From: Simi Valley, CA
Default

Originally Posted by DietCoke
The ls3 heads of today are just as good as the ls7 variety. I only used ls7 stuff because the ls3 support wasnt around in 10/11. If you have ls7 intake and stuff you want to use, the ls7 stuff will work. The oversized valves arent ideal for max power, because of clearance/shrouding, but do not perform poorly, either.
Thanks for the info.

I was going to see if I could turn the OD of the stock LS7 valve down from 1.615" to 1.590" in the lathe. I know it will narrow the seat width of the valve a little bit (.0125" on width), but I'm sure it would seal just fine.

The big question mark is what it will do to the flow. I'll put it on the flow bench and see how much the two sizes change flow with a 4.070" bore and go from there. I wonder if it won't improve the flow a little by unshrouding the valve from the bore a little.


Thanks,
Cole
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:06 AM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-04 18:13:20


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE