BorgerTransAm

iTrader: (11)

Well, my engine is done for...
In other words, a blessing in disguise. I'm wanting to put a new engine in my 98 m6 trans-am, but want to know some info, and hoped someone could help me out. I want to put the biggest engine in that doesn't require fabrication, and i want to put an engine in that is "turbo ready" or will be used with a turbo later on down the road. I've been told by a friend that a 427 ci is the limit, and was wanting some links to other sites or offers on that particular engine, (if it is the best choice.) I --> will <-- have 8 grand to mess around with for the car, but want to make sure it is a good choice. I went to jegs and they have the new 427 ci engine, but it's 13k! And from my friends p.o.v. that is a rediculous price. Any one know where i can find some cheaper engines, or am i not going to make my goal with only 8 grand? I'll take any help from anyone, or any suggestions on maybe a smaller engine with a turbo outright... Just help me out with your vast knowledge ls1 members!!
Thanks alot,
Chris

infinitebird

iTrader: (11)

I think it might be a tight squeeze to do a 427 with only 8k (and you definitely won't be able to get bigger than that).

'Trust'

iTrader: (24)

If your wanting to boost, i'd go w/a 8.5:1 iron 408

setxws6

Biggest engine...you're thinking that the engine will actually be BIGGER in size...no...the block will be the same size as what's in it now. To get more cubic inches, two things will be done, increase the bore and stroke. They have made more cubic inches than 427's. MTI has some how managed a 455 in a new GTO.

If you want to be turboed, your best bet is either a 408 6.0L iron block, or what I would get, 402 LS2 all aluminum. As long as you get forged internals, you'll be good with a lot of boost. You really don't need an iron block unless you get up into 900-1000+ hp range.

boostedtransam

iTrader: (4)

Yes imo I think going iron is safer down the road. Thats just mo..

jimmytx

i think the biggest they've ever gotten the chevy small block was 427

they put a big block in a 4th gen camaro once and called it the ZL-1

it had a 9.5L engine.

http://fast-autos.net/chevrolet/chevroletcamarozl1.html

it was a special deal they didnt make many of them

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

I'm confused here...

I hope you're not thinking of an old school 427. So no 396, 454, 455, 502, etc. Just get yourself a 6.0 iron block and have it taken care of for boost. It's a gen III small block, so it'll fit.

jimmytx

if he was gonna get a 6.0 why wouldn't he just get an LS2?

Brandon Boomhauer

iTrader: (10)

8grand isnt going to get you too far my friend.

You need all the accessories to run with an engine of that size. Exhaust/fueling/transmission (clutch/stall,built,etc) rearend etc. With 8grand to play with, throw any idea of a 427 LSx out of the window. Also, please stop looking at JEGs for engine prices, we have over 115 sponsors to the right, and a good amount of them build engines. Check them out.

If you *might* go turbo down the road, get a low compression ~9:1 motor built, with good forged internals, and so on. A 400+ ci motor will take a nice sized turbo setup to feed it aswell.


If you are in some way thinking about old schoool (pre 92ish) smallblocks and or bigblock setups... Stop. You'll spend more money hacking and making things work than needed.

A typical SBC has been done at 454ci, on a Dart block i believe. This was a turnkey style package, with 91oct friendly. I'm sure someone might get a few more ci out of a sbc, but its really getting thin at that point.

jimmytx

HPE makes a bad *** 383 stroker.

schism427

The engine in the ZL-1 is a GM crate 572 (ZZ572/720R), i don't know if you could drop it with little or no fabrication, and i doubt it would turbo well, i would guess its already up there in compression but with the power that thing is making i don't think you will need a turbo. also you will need a new hood, and its very (VERY) expensive....But what a beast.

Brandon Boomhauer

iTrader: (10)

from 346 to 412+ HPE makes badass motors.

jimmytx

x2

and they don't seem to unreasonably priced.

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

Why would you get a LS2? If you're building a motor, why would you want one?

jimmytx

he never said anything about building one

from what i can tell he just plans to drop one in

Brandon Boomhauer

iTrader: (10)

I've found them to be cheaper than alot of sponsors, when calling and asking for a quote.
Very helpful.

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

Let's see...

Why would you want to run a 10.9:1 engine in a turbo application

Gotta pay attention to the details

CrawlinWS6

iTrader: (41)

its not the size (ci) of the engine that gets you brut hp, but how its set-up. If u want a large motor, I have a 472ci from my 68 caddy with only 51k miles on it. Ill sell it to you if u want

Y2kforgedSS

No I know what hes looking for, this is a buddy of mine who has now seen the rest of his ls1 and is wanting the best bang for the buck with 8k without the turbo i believe. What he is wanting to do is go big or go home im assuming but i have been talking to him letting him know that tsp (closest sponsor to us) has a 402, and 408. Im about to go a way different route than he is and am getting a 402 stroker, were he wants to go low compression but with reasonably good drivablity. He was wanting to keep his cam which seeing the cam sheet one time i believe said it was a 550. 550. would be to small for a not only a bigger cubic inch motor but a turbo application as well. I would hope to see him go bigger cam, not to chompy, and a set of stage 2.5s at smallest 6.0l heads. I was talking to him not to long ago and he said he was shooting with turbo 650-750rwhp and is planning on using a STS turbo kit, which is very possible with a good setup. He has a stage 3 spec clutch, and rebuilt tranny, but is still going to need a rear end. I think thats all i can think of at the moment for you all to help him out.

there you go man hope you get all your probelms solved.
later