Hello everyone,

So I have been doing a lot of digging around for LSX stroker builds and my brain has gone
I don't have a builder yet, but this is what I have so far. I wanted to see what the pros and those who have been there done that have to say.

My current setup is a 2007 L92 with VVT and everything stock except the headers, exhaust and CAI. 4L60E transmission, stock converter and 2.73 gears. The latter of the two will be changed before the engine goes in of course.

Goals:
1972 Nova Daily driven with occasional track runs (maybe 2 per year). About crank 550+hp and/or tq and not too crazy on the budget.

Parts: I have not purchased anything and will be accumulating parts until I have pretty much everything needed for the rebuild.
Crank: Summit Racing Pro LS 4" Stroke
Rods: Summit Racing Pro LS 6.125"
Pistons: Summit Racing Pro LS Forged Pistons 6cc Dish
Cam: Undecided, need help choosing one (TSP VVT Stage 1-3, Mast VVT HO or SS, BTR VVT or Stage 3, Cam Motion, ???) I don't want a crazy loping with little to no vaccuum and it requires a huge stall converter but, I also don't want a stock sounding cam either lol
Heads: Currently stock heads, though Chevrolet Performance CNC Ported LS-3 heads are calling out to me
Intake: Currently stock truck manifold but will eventually replace with the LS3 intake though the Edelbrock LS3 Crossram also looks good to me

Other: Upgrade the springs if needed, new oil pump, comp cams full travel link bar lifters, trunnion kit, phaser limiter kit(if needed), larger injectors, 3,000-3,200 stall converter, 3.42 or 3.73 gears anything else I'm missing?

Since this engine has VVT I was thinking of keeping it but I'm not sure now. I reached out to several cam companies and only got a response from one but they suggested I "get rid of VVT since an engine this size does not need the VVT to make good wide power band". Some of these VVT cams are running lifts above .600" and have read about not doing so well with stiffer springs. Any one running VVT on their stroker engines?

With this setup am I looking at around 10.5:1 - 11:1 CR?? depending on the heads I go with?

If I'm missing anything important to this type of build please let me know

Any and all recommendations are welcome. I am all ears

Thanks

 

Unless you don't have room for it, the truck intake allows the same power as the LS3 intake.

 

Oh I have plenty of room under the hood with the truck intake, just thought it would be better to go with the LS3 intake with this build. I guess I was wrong.

 

No need to upgrade your intake to the edelbrock unless you want it for the looks.

I decided to say with stock LS3 heads. The cost to port them didn't provide enough power upgrade to justify. Money better spent going with aftermarket heads.

You will need to upgrade your springs as you will be running more lift than the 6.2.

 

As far as the heads I was looking at these from Chevrolet Performance since they flow more than stock for the price.
The springs, I was looking at BTR or TSP .660" Dual Springs but this goes back to VVT as to whether it would be too stiff for it to operate correctly.

As for the parts list I have assembled so far, is it a good budget build?

Thanks for the feedback so far

 

I'm not an expert. I would let some others chime in regarding the other parts, especially the VVT stuff.

The LS3 heads are good. Planning to stay NA? Flow numbers are tricky, bigger isn't always better. Needs to be matched with your intake and power goals.

If you are only wanting 550 HP (crank), I would think a larger cam in your existing motor would get you there. I made 475hp/430tq at the wheels in my cammed LS3.

 

As above, LS3 heads are good way past 550HP. Nothing to gain going bigger at that level. All an LS3 needs for more power is a different cam and valve springs.

 

Well first it might need a rebuild and since it's going to get opened up I figured why not build a 416ci. Second if I can get more power than 550 then great I was just being a little conservative on the number. Didn't wanna be unrealistic but if I can get 600-650 well then great.

​​​​​I am planning to stay NA now. FI isn't out of the question though. Speaking of which, what would be the max CR that could be run under boost on pump gas 93 octane?

 

600-650 seems very reasonable at the crank.

I'm an NA guy, don't know too much about FI LS engines. That definitely guides your build piston wise and CR.

 

IMHO, 650 is doable, but you need a well thought out package. Whereas, 550 is a lot more easily obtained without a detailed. Formula. The cam will be critical and vital with rect port heads I’d contact a trusted person to spec the. Cam. Cam Motion, Darth, Patrick G would be my front runners. I am sure others are out there with proven records with rect port cams, I just haven’t followed them.

best of luck !!!

 

What cam did you go with in your LS3?
As much as I would like to go with FI I think I will stay NA.

 

Cam Motion recommended to remove VVT
How do I get a hold of Darth or Patrick G?

So far I have a short list of VVT cams I'm looking at are:

GPI SS2 223/235 LSA 112 .637/.637
TSP 2 227/239 LSA 113 .629/.629
TSP 3 231/243 LSA 113 .649/.629
Mast L99/L92 SS Cam 230/244 LSA 111 .588/.607
BTR L99 VVT Stage 2 225/238 LSA 113 .612/.585

Which of the above would be good for 416ci 600+hp, good street manners, 3200RPM stall, 3.73 gears and 10.7-11:1 CR?

Thanks for all the replies so far guys!!

 

It was a TSP Stage 2. I am selling it if you are interested

229/244 .629"/615" 112 LSA, 109 ICL

 

Pat G has his website and you can fill out the cam spec sheet. $25 and it took about 5-7 days to get mine back. Be complete and thorough on the request form.

https://www.patgtuning.com/

 

Are you going with a bigger cam? Did you like this particular cam?

 

Thank you for that info!

 

That cam was for my mostly stock LS3 (long tubes, springs). I really enjoyed it. I wanted something with a little more midrange and that cam worked well.

I am in the process of building a 416, should be done in the next week or so. That has quite a larger cam. 239/249, .638 lift

 

Yeah that build is looking real sweet!! Very nice looking motor so far.
Do you have any clips of the TSP2 cam in the LS3?

 

Imo you shouldn't waste money on a new crank and rods. Plenty of stock crank/rods LS's running around making huge power. Again strictly my opinion, you should spend your money on a good valve train. Ditch the VVT and k.i.s.s.(keep it simple stupid).

 

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/eng...tick-boomerang

Helpful link on deciding on camshaft.