VA2001SS

I guess the new SAE J2723 testing changed the rating to 505hp & 470 lb-ft. The July GMHTP has a great article on an LS7 build up with lots of pictures, more than the Motor Trend article.

blackz93

iTrader: (2)

I saw this somewhere too.

unit213

It doesn't really matter what it's rated at does it? It's still going to produce the same rwhp. That's what we are concerned with anyway.

70 TA

Actually IMO no what we should be concerned with is a standardized measurement so we can effectively compare HP numbers from manufacturer to manufacturer.

RWHP IMO doesn't mean much when comparing as we know LS1's from Vettes to Camaros dont even get the same RWHP numbers.

Not bashing Dude just being constructive!

But you are right it doesn't really matter because most of us want to take that 505HP engine and get it putting out about 650 or so

Builder

The new GM High Tech mag has a nice piece about the LS7.

Well, I know it's not even out yet. But, what do you think the mods will be like to get it to 650 fwhp? That's exactly the mark I am looking for...650 to 700 at the crank.

The options are:
1) solid-roller, dry-sump, forged 402 LS2 (or wet-sleeve 427)
2) LS7 with mods

70 TA

Well I would stay away from the wet sleeve, Ive heard of too many issues. If resleeving I think dry sleeves are the way to go on the LS2 blocks.

Also I dont think you need solid roller to get over 600 HP at crank and hopefully the LS7 heads and Intake will make 650+ with just a good set of long tube headers and a big cam.

Spinmonster

How bad are the stock LS7 pistons?

70 TA

I wouldn't say that they are bad, they would likely be fine for an engine making a little more than the stock power.

If however you are planning to use a power adder or push the limits naturally aspirated I would say a forged piston would be a good idea.

Builder

I was worried about the sleeve process, but, according to Steve (the fellow in SoCal who helped invent the process and whose last name escapes me), they haven't had a failed block for about 18 months. You are correct. There were problems with them at the beginning.

The thought behind solid-rollers was due to the higher RPM I am looking for; 7.5-7.6k. The LS7 redline is 7.2k right out of the box. Perhaps the new hydraulic lifters can handle the higher revs to 7.6k?

Also, there's a couple of aftermarket, large-bore LSx blocks being developed. Who knows what we'll see in the next 60-120 days...

Either way, even if I have to remain stock for 6-12 months, an LS7 is looking good too! It's great to have so many choices...and I am glad I still have a couple of months before the decision has to be made.

You really think headers and a cam will produce 150 crank HP? That would be awesome. But, if that's true, that means I will need to do something more!

70 TA

I'm thinking that that stock LS7 is very restricted in some way to be making only 500 HP with heads flowing 350+ CFM and 427 CI.

211 230 Cam is very small by todays standard also but GM must meet certain guidelines for emissions and fuel economy.

Nothing good longtubes and a bigger cam cannot fix

Also dont forget tuning, these cars must be tuned very conservatively as well. There is something to be gained there as well.

Andy

midnightsun13

i thought i read somewhere (hotrod mag?) that the ls7 pistons were supposed to be forged stock? guess not.... either way i would think tuning, cam and lond tubes would at least push it up to 600 prolly more

JamesO WS6

LS7SS and Builder...

I totally agree! IMO the LS1 was watered down from the factory, it had/has a lot of potential. Who's to say GM hasn't done it again. There are too many guidelines that have to be met by manufacturers when producing an engine. There is undoubtedly "hidden" power just waiting to be discovered within the LS7.

I believe it is safe to say with a H/C/I package AND Tuning, that 650+ would be a reality.

unit213

Who fed you that line of horseshit?

70 TA

I can read dyno sheets. Different drivetrains have different loss %.

I thought that was a fairly well known fact.

madslow

how many hp is the ls7 expected to handle? 1000hp would be nice. hehehe

warp 10

Guys,

I don't know if you saw the chatter last year about the Blue Devil?

Well the story goes that the LS7 IS detuned to ONLY aroud 518 hp and 500 ftlbs, it seems that the General DID leave more on the table. From an undisclosed source, GM detuned for consumer safety concerns. They don't want to hand us loaded guns and active handling is Not Up to the task. As this is a Corvette option, GM figured that 500 hp was about the limit in their best chassis.

Now on with the show!
With a hypothetical LS7 in hand, a little more aggressive tuning of the ECM(GM leaves one hell of a lot on the table there), with more cam duration and lift w/ valve springs up to the task, longtube headers into that stock 3 " exhaust and bigger injectors, will probably get you into the Twilight Zone.

My gut tells me that with the Forged pistons, Forged crank, Titanium; rods, pushrods, valves, keepers and locks, that the engine could be pushed to 8000 rpms and live till the cows come home. Oh yea, and making 650 to 700 hp in the process.

The LS7 is the real deal and the 518 hp rating is like training wheels on a 4 year old's first bike!

Warp 10 Always!

ChucksZ06

iTrader: (9)

You are so right about the ls7. With the flow capabilities of those heads and the light rotating assembly that thing is going to be wicked when modded. Just think. 3100 lb loaded corvettes with 600 rwhp NA and they will idle decent and get 20 mpg. It will make forced induction not necessary...traction will be the problem...I can hardly wait.

madslow

i cant wait to drop the ls7 into my rx7. 500hp in a 2800lbs pound. i bet it will hit 10s stock.

1bad57

Yes my son,
you are correct! When everyone starts playing with the new ls7 I think a few people will crap themselves when they see how a few mods will bump the hp up dramatically! No make that radically!!