Stroker build opinions
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: San Antonio
Stroker build opinions I'm just curious about stroker engines. I have already scavenged a few parts for cheap. I'm thinking about doing a max effort budget build in the distant future. I know, max effort and budget shouldn't be in the same sentence, but there it is, again. I already have an LS3 intake and valley cover that I bought for $100. I would also plan on getting LS3 heads. Those can usually be had for less than $600. I can get an aluminum 5.3 for cheap also. I'm not sure what it costs to re-sleeve an engine though. I have found LS2s and L76s for around $1800. The rotating assembly will be the biggest expense.
Anything I build will be for my daily driven Gen.4 Camaro, so reliability is most important. I'm not sure what kind of peak hp and torque to expect from these builds, so I would like to get some opinions on what you think these engines would make. Also, at what CID do the LS3 intake/heads become restrictive? I don't want to use LS7 parts, because those cost way more.
Here's what I had in mind:
1) 392 CID
--LS2 block, 4.0" bore / 3.9" crank
2) 404 CID
--LS3 block, 4.065 bore / 3.9" crank
3) 415 CID
--LC9 block (re-sleeved), 4.065 bore / 4" crank
4) 427 CID
----LC9 block (re-sleeved), 4.125 bore / 4" crank
Anything I build will be for my daily driven Gen.4 Camaro, so reliability is most important. I'm not sure what kind of peak hp and torque to expect from these builds, so I would like to get some opinions on what you think these engines would make. Also, at what CID do the LS3 intake/heads become restrictive? I don't want to use LS7 parts, because those cost way more.
Here's what I had in mind:
1) 392 CID
--LS2 block, 4.0" bore / 3.9" crank
2) 404 CID
--LS3 block, 4.065 bore / 3.9" crank
3) 415 CID
--LC9 block (re-sleeved), 4.065 bore / 4" crank
4) 427 CID
----LC9 block (re-sleeved), 4.125 bore / 4" crank
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Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Mississippi
Here is a baseline of what you could expect. Its more combos as well in Tusky Cookbook thread.
427ci Sleeved LS2
CNC L92 cylinder heads
L76 intake manifold
90mm throttle body
233/277 dur. 595/595 lift on a 107 LSA
11.1 compression
604hp/566 TQ
~The torque
on this build was 500 ft lbs at 3100 RPM.
By you having a longer sleeve the 4.000" crankshaft will last mile after mile in my opinion.
427ci Sleeved LS2
CNC L92 cylinder heads
L76 intake manifold
90mm throttle body
233/277 dur. 595/595 lift on a 107 LSA
11.1 compression
604hp/566 TQ
~The torque
on this build was 500 ft lbs at 3100 RPM.By you having a longer sleeve the 4.000" crankshaft will last mile after mile in my opinion.
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 220
From: San Antonio
Yeah, I have read that cook book a few times. There was a really impressive untouched LS3 headed engine in there. That's why I'm mostly interested in the LS3 intake/head combo. I have a 4L80e, so my hp/torque at the wheel will be much lower. I'd be impressed with 500hp at the wheels on my car.
I was looking at the 3.9" stroke, because I wasn't sure how much it would cost to re-sleeve an engine. I know the 3.9" stroke would be reliable in a stock sleeve. If I do re-sleeve a 5.3L, it would definitely have a 4" stroke.
I was looking at the 3.9" stroke, because I wasn't sure how much it would cost to re-sleeve an engine. I know the 3.9" stroke would be reliable in a stock sleeve. If I do re-sleeve a 5.3L, it would definitely have a 4" stroke.
TECH Veteran
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,892
Likes: 703
From: Mississippi
Yeah, I have read that cook book a few times. There was a really impressive untouched LS3 headed engine in there. That's why I'm mostly interested in the LS3 intake/head combo. I have a 4L80e, so my hp/torque at the wheel will be much lower. I'd be impressed with 500hp at the wheels on my car.
I was looking at the 3.9" stroke, because I wasn't sure how much it would cost to re-sleeve an engine. I know the 3.9" stroke would be reliable in a stock sleeve. If I do re-sleeve a 5.3L, it would definitely have a 4" stroke.
I was looking at the 3.9" stroke, because I wasn't sure how much it would cost to re-sleeve an engine. I know the 3.9" stroke would be reliable in a stock sleeve. If I do re-sleeve a 5.3L, it would definitely have a 4" stroke.
LS3 block with 4.00 stroke (416) might be the sweet spot for non big bore cost effective blocks. It’s capable of good power, it doesn’t weigh as much as say an iron block 408, you’ll only need a stock set of LS3 heads which are seemingly everywhere. Forget that 3.900 stroke thing unless you have the crank already, that’s just not a going to help, the barrels on an LS3 are long enough for a 4” stroke, why leave anything on the table? Take the cubes. The level of power you’re looking for is wide open from mild to wild, depends on your tolerance level for big cams etc. just my opinion.
if you have the budget for a big bore block build just skip the unlucky LS7 block and get a resleeved Gen4 5.3 for the 427+ build, Or an LSX block if you’re not concerned about weight.
if you have the budget for a big bore block build just skip the unlucky LS7 block and get a resleeved Gen4 5.3 for the 427+ build, Or an LSX block if you’re not concerned about weight.
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Banned
Joined: Oct 2020
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Fun Fact in Keeping your Ls3 heads add stroke maybe 580-600 rwhp on the 🤫.
Good cam 🤫 Basic intake 🤫 basic Head's.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...hp-484wtq.html
Good cam 🤫 Basic intake 🤫 basic Head's.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...hp-484wtq.html
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 220
From: San Antonio
LS3 block with 4.00 stroke (416) might be the sweet spot for non big bore cost effective blocks. It’s capable of good power, it doesn’t weigh as much as say an iron block 408, you’ll only need a stock set of LS3 heads which are seemingly everywhere. Forget that 3.900 stroke thing unless you have the crank already, that’s just not a going to help, the barrels on an LS3 are long enough for a 4” stroke, why leave anything on the table? Take the cubes. The level of power you’re looking for is wide open from mild to wild, depends on your tolerance level for big cams etc. just my opinion.
if you have the budget for a big bore block build just skip the unlucky LS7 block and get a resleeved Gen4 5.3 for the 427+ build, Or an LSX block if you’re not concerned about weight.
if you have the budget for a big bore block build just skip the unlucky LS7 block and get a resleeved Gen4 5.3 for the 427+ build, Or an LSX block if you’re not concerned about weight.
I do agree that more cubes is more better.
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I didn't think the LS3 could handle a 4" stroke without a little piston slap. I have never built one, but that's what I have been reading. I want longevity and reliability. That's why I was putting the 3.9" stroke with stock blocks. Any re-sleeved block would have the 4" stroke for sure. Yes, the 823 heads are plentiful. I can get some for $500. I already have the LS3 intake, so I was planning on using that combo. I will not put an iron block in my car. That's why I was looking at the LC9, LS3, and L77. An LC9 turned into a 427 would be freaking awesome. I just wasn't sure if the LS3 heads and intake would support it. I wasn't even considering anything LS7, because of the cost.
I do agree that more cubes is more better.
I do agree that more cubes is more better.
No One Is Running a 3.90 inch Arm in a Ls3 block. Go find more than 5 builds 🤫
Added with if the 4 inch crank is or would be a problem and Me using the Shortest cylinder sleeve block .....in the Lq4. I know 4 a Fact Someone Would have Corrected me By Now.
🤔 + 💩 = Has to Be Realiable as I can't Afford to Go Backwards 🤫 due to a Cylinder sleeve length.
My 4 inch arm Theory comes from Erik K. Leader of HPR. 👍
Banned
Joined: Oct 2020
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Piston slap and Not Realiable... 4 inch crank in a Ls3 block 😂🤣
This guy Right Here is one of the Best and Everyone Knows it....name it He's done it with a LS...
https://horsepower-research.com/prod...sa-short-block
🤣
This guy Right Here is one of the Best and Everyone Knows it....name it He's done it with a LS...
https://horsepower-research.com/prod...sa-short-block
🤣
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From: Ohio, Georgia, Nevada, Texas
Hello folks, the Pro LS 4" stroker assemblies are designed for the shorter sleeves of an iron block and have even more support in an aluminum block. The extra cubes are a pretty nice touch to use up more of the available airflow of the LS3 top end. There is always a point of diminishing returns in any budget but the LS3 intake itself is quite a bit better than the LS3 heads. In other words, spending money on an aftermarket LS3 intake does net some gains...but usually at a fairly high cost for what you're getting. On the other hand, milling/competitionn valve job on a LS3 head is pretty good bang for the buck and performs better than the GM CNC'd heads in some cases. After that, the TFS 255's are very good and are the benchmark people try to beat.
Back to strokers, the LS3 cylinder walls are thin, so a .005 hone is a good choice and torque plates a must. MANY people do have the blocks sleeved by RED, LME, and others to 4.125 and use a LS3 based top end. Kurt Urban does this on a number of his roadrace engines as it hits a sweetspot in horsepower per dollar. The rotating assembly parts cost much the same and the Pro LS pistons in 4.125 accomodate any of the LS heads (cathedral, LS3, LS7) so it's a pretty economical way of doing it.
Mahle has some pistons used in 4.070 based 427's (4.100 stroke) that ride nice in the bores. Wiseco does as well. We don't offer those in the Pro LS line, but just throwing that option out there as food for thought.
Back to strokers, the LS3 cylinder walls are thin, so a .005 hone is a good choice and torque plates a must. MANY people do have the blocks sleeved by RED, LME, and others to 4.125 and use a LS3 based top end. Kurt Urban does this on a number of his roadrace engines as it hits a sweetspot in horsepower per dollar. The rotating assembly parts cost much the same and the Pro LS pistons in 4.125 accomodate any of the LS heads (cathedral, LS3, LS7) so it's a pretty economical way of doing it.
Mahle has some pistons used in 4.070 based 427's (4.100 stroke) that ride nice in the bores. Wiseco does as well. We don't offer those in the Pro LS line, but just throwing that option out there as food for thought.
Used a brand new LS3 block from GM with 4.065 bore pistons and 4" stroke and it runs fantastic it made a 415" engine. Bore preparation straight from GM is better than anything I've seen from a machine shop so far.
Your 1st Statement is False also Based on old information and **** Poor Builders.
No One Is Running a 3.90 inch Arm in a Ls3 block. Go find more than 5 builds 🤫
Added with if the 4 inch crank is or would be a problem and Me using the Shortest cylinder sleeve block .....in the Lq4. I know 4 a Fact Someone Would have Corrected me By Now.
🤔 + 💩 = Has to Be Realiable as I can't Afford to Go Backwards 🤫 due to a Cylinder sleeve length.
My 4 inch arm Theory comes from Erik K. Leader of HPR. 👍
No One Is Running a 3.90 inch Arm in a Ls3 block. Go find more than 5 builds 🤫
Added with if the 4 inch crank is or would be a problem and Me using the Shortest cylinder sleeve block .....in the Lq4. I know 4 a Fact Someone Would have Corrected me By Now.
🤔 + 💩 = Has to Be Realiable as I can't Afford to Go Backwards 🤫 due to a Cylinder sleeve length.
My 4 inch arm Theory comes from Erik K. Leader of HPR. 👍
Neither my 416 LS3 or 383 LS1 have piston slap issues. They were build by quality engine builders not by clowns slapping parts together.
Ditto. No piston slap and no noticeable oil consumption and I have a 4.250” crank in a 6.0L iron block. Piston rock at BDC is the same as a 4” stroke 408ci combo. Not as many miles on it as you though.
I daily drove a 408 from 2005 to 2008. It used a little oil, but didn’t smoke or anything. I had my own nitrous filling station and ran a 90 lbs bottle threw it per summer lol. Went 10.28 on 7 cylinders it’s last pass in a 3700 lbs GTO lol. When we tore it apart there was some wear on the piston skirts.