View Poll Results: LSX454 or LS7
LSX454
8
40.00%
LS7
12
60.00%
Voters: 20. You may not vote on this poll
2002 Camaro SS - LSX454 or LS7?
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 60
Likes: 7
From: SF BAY AREA, CA
dude u really are losing me. u say the boys can build a 416 to make 550 rwhp.....ok....u like that idea.....
then u mention 20,000.... and something about a rear end and building the rest of the car to put the power down and not break.......u should do this regardless, explain y this is an issue with an ls7 block build but not an issue with the 416? I'm about ready to check out of this one my head hurts
then u mention 20,000.... and something about a rear end and building the rest of the car to put the power down and not break.......u should do this regardless, explain y this is an issue with an ls7 block build but not an issue with the 416? I'm about ready to check out of this one my head hurts
building an LSX and everything else that comes with it was pushing towards 20k of work.
you're confusing 2 different things here, I never said any of these things would be an issue with the ls7. I've been simply asking questions and looking for advice.
I can see $20G into an LSX with today's pricing and for a few more get into that aluminum LSR block. I'd say I spent a little less than that on the LSX engine I built back in 2014.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 60
Likes: 7
From: SF BAY AREA, CA
TECH Addict
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,898
Likes: 467
OP, it seems to me you need to decide what you want to do.
If you stay with Aluminium, go the 427.
If you end up using LS7 heads there are many shops out there that will CNC them and fix that valve issue.
AI has an excellent program.
Myself and others still agree to go the 427 as it will fit your goals.
We did for the very same reasons.
Also, I am a bit concerned with the advice you have been receiving from these shops.
They either are not that knowledgeable or they have some agenda.
If you stay with Aluminium, go the 427.
If you end up using LS7 heads there are many shops out there that will CNC them and fix that valve issue.
AI has an excellent program.
Myself and others still agree to go the 427 as it will fit your goals.
We did for the very same reasons.
Also, I am a bit concerned with the advice you have been receiving from these shops.
They either are not that knowledgeable or they have some agenda.
I've had a stroker motor and an LS7 and I can tell you it is not cheap!
TECH Resident
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 819
Likes: 261
From: Melbourne, Australia
You can buy a ls7 crate engine for $10,000 so with all add ons id say $13,000 drive away
You can buy a lsx454 long block for $12000 so lets say $15,000 drive away
My built lsx with all the goodies cost $38,000 au thats about $27,000us
You can buy a lsa crate engine for $12,000 so bout $15,000 drive away take it to $18,000 and youll have big power
You can buy a ls3 long block for $4200, lsa blower for $3500, add ons id say $12,000 drive away
Options everywhere and all the above are new from gm...take your pick
You can buy a lsx454 long block for $12000 so lets say $15,000 drive away
My built lsx with all the goodies cost $38,000 au thats about $27,000us
You can buy a lsa crate engine for $12,000 so bout $15,000 drive away take it to $18,000 and youll have big power
You can buy a ls3 long block for $4200, lsa blower for $3500, add ons id say $12,000 drive away
Options everywhere and all the above are new from gm...take your pick
also please someone sit down and type up every single odd and end and show me 20000 for an ls7. I spent 3400 on a sleeved block, 1500 on intake, 900 rockers, 800 lifters, 5000 heads, 1100 crank, 800 rods, 850 pistons. that's the expensive stuff and that's like 14000. add odds an ends and u get maybe 3000. so I'm at roughly 17000 if I only had to do it once. u could buy used crank and rods and save 400. I really can see a budget thought out ls7 with ported ls7 heads being done for 12000.
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Verdad Gallardo Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 60
Likes: 7
From: SF BAY AREA, CA
i still struggle here, I can tell u one thing, unless I'm building a higher rpm car I will never build do an NA build again. really it's a once and done thing to say that u did it. the reason is money.
also please someone sit down and type up every single odd and end and show me 20000 for an ls7. I spent 3400 on a sleeved block, 1500 on intake, 900 rockers, 800 lifters, 5000 heads, 1100 crank, 800 rods, 850 pistons. that's the expensive stuff and that's like 14000. add odds an ends and u get maybe 3000. so I'm at roughly 17000 if I only had to do it once. u could buy used crank and rods and save 400. I really can see a budget thought out ls7 with ported ls7 heads being done for 12000.
also please someone sit down and type up every single odd and end and show me 20000 for an ls7. I spent 3400 on a sleeved block, 1500 on intake, 900 rockers, 800 lifters, 5000 heads, 1100 crank, 800 rods, 850 pistons. that's the expensive stuff and that's like 14000. add odds an ends and u get maybe 3000. so I'm at roughly 17000 if I only had to do it once. u could buy used crank and rods and save 400. I really can see a budget thought out ls7 with ported ls7 heads being done for 12000.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 60
Likes: 7
From: SF BAY AREA, CA
You can buy a ls7 crate engine for $10,000 so with all add ons id say $13,000 drive away
You can buy a lsx454 long block for $12000 so lets say $15,000 drive away
My built lsx with all the goodies cost $38,000 au thats about $27,000us
You can buy a lsa crate engine for $12,000 so bout $15,000 drive away take it to $18,000 and youll have big power
You can buy a ls3 long block for $4200, lsa blower for $3500, add ons id say $12,000 drive away
Options everywhere and all the above are new from gm...take your pick
You can buy a lsx454 long block for $12000 so lets say $15,000 drive away
My built lsx with all the goodies cost $38,000 au thats about $27,000us
You can buy a lsa crate engine for $12,000 so bout $15,000 drive away take it to $18,000 and youll have big power
You can buy a ls3 long block for $4200, lsa blower for $3500, add ons id say $12,000 drive away
Options everywhere and all the above are new from gm...take your pick
My initial thought was ls7 swap right away. But for the amount of money I'd be spending, the ls3 416 build would give me better power for less money. I think that's why their recommendation of the 416 to keep cost down.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 60
Likes: 7
From: SF BAY AREA, CA
I thought about that too but decided a fresh motor would be better than Rolling the dice on a 108k miles ls1. I know theyre strong motors but I figured money would be better spent with a new engine.
LS1 blocks limit you to what can be done as most machine shops won't re-sleeve them and if your looking to build an engine to make 500 rwhp I feel this could be done and beyond with the LS3 platform. An LSX454 can lay down 600 rwhp and have a mild enough cam to enjoy on the street. I can get 15 mpg from my 427 while running A/C if I keep my foot out of it.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 60
Likes: 7
From: SF BAY AREA, CA
LS1 blocks limit you to what can be done as most machine shops won't re-sleeve them and if your looking to build an engine to make 500 rwhp I feel this could be done and beyond with the LS3 platform. An LSX454 can lay down 600 rwhp and have a mild enough cam to enjoy on the street. I can get 15 mpg from my 427 while running A/C if I keep my foot out of it.
If I had an open check book I would do LSX all day. But the price continued to climb when exploring those options. Plus he's giving me honest and fair pricing which means a lot to me.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 60
Likes: 7
From: SF BAY AREA, CA
Wow, those are some beefy setups. We ended up with a 416 build going so I'm pretty excited and for less than the sticker pricing on these which is even better
TECH Addict
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,898
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I didn't reach 20,000 that's what I'm trying to tell u, I'm close but I also spent 2500 more on heads, and 1500 more than needed on a block, and 1000 more on an intake u won't need so that's an easy 5000 u won't need putting u closer to 14000. not to mention most of the other stuff I bought could have been done cheaper. i think u made a bad choice, financially u were very close to having a 4.125 bore motor that would have met ur goals much better. but i hope u post up dyno numbers and are happy with the setup, that's all that matters. it's just still puzzling to me that u let the builders make this decision for u when initially u wanted to know lsx block or ls7, both of which are 4.125
I have quite a bit of experience with Gen 1 and 2 Camaro's. Still have a '69 that really needs an LS transplant. Don't know what fits and what doesn't on the Gen 4 stuff.
My last C6 LS3 had a Magnuson Heartbeat TVS2300 supercharger on it. With a very mild blower cam, 9.5psi of boost, and all the usual boltons, it did mid 600's for rwhp and low 600's for torque. You can't get a better street ride than that in my book. Stock bottom end. Greatest high dollar stroker LS won't match up. Torque was over 550'lbs from 2500 rpm through 5750 rpm. Perfect manners and not much or a fuel eco hit. Add flex fuel setup and it's easily 700+ rwhp on mild boost. Probably catch heat for this post. It is what it is.
My last C6 LS3 had a Magnuson Heartbeat TVS2300 supercharger on it. With a very mild blower cam, 9.5psi of boost, and all the usual boltons, it did mid 600's for rwhp and low 600's for torque. You can't get a better street ride than that in my book. Stock bottom end. Greatest high dollar stroker LS won't match up. Torque was over 550'lbs from 2500 rpm through 5750 rpm. Perfect manners and not much or a fuel eco hit. Add flex fuel setup and it's easily 700+ rwhp on mild boost. Probably catch heat for this post. It is what it is.
Big difference between a C6 LS3 supercharged engine and the 4th Gen. LS1 powered Camaro's. You had an engine comparable to a 383 with a TVS2300 in a car that drives and handles way better than the 4th Gens'
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 60
Likes: 7
From: SF BAY AREA, CA