LS2 & LS7 questions

[Tom.A]

I just gave in today and sold my SBC chevy today in favor of going to a LS2 crate engine for the car I am building. I am just starting to brush up on these so I will admit I don't know allot about these engines. I know that there are many members here with both the LS2 and LS7's. I know some have bought the LS7 and spent the 13K but then change the cam and intakes to get more out of it. My question for the LS7 members: A short block is about about $6,000 heads about $2000.00 so if I was going to go to a after market cam and intake and would have to change the pan anyway would this be a better way? I know that I would still need coil packs,front cover,timing chain and the correct wiring etc (which I don't believe is included) but is there anything else that you got? I don't think I am going LS7 (because of cost) but curious as I may save my nickels, but most likely LS2 or LS2 402 stroker? I am thinking the 402 because if I spent the $5500.00 on crate (LS2) replaced heads, cam, intake etc. I mays well go with building a the stroker LS2 which is about $4100.00 for a short block. I also could use the LS7 heads or L92 heads on the bigger bore I think? In addition for any of the LS guy's if you had to do over would you have done the same thing? I sometimes buy to quick and regret and spend more money later. So I look forward to feedback from the LS users.

Thanks,

[Mizfit]

Give us a call I will be around tomorrow and would be more then happy to talk LSX options with you if you are thinking stroker motor.

Taylor
913-558-1100

[McssGmachine]

Well, I had a 416 ci LS motor built using a L92 block and heads,L76 intake with forged internals for 9,400. The price also includes front and rear covers, Basically a complete longblock.

[QSPres]

Hard for me to believe what people find reasonable these days.........

So far, this is what I have:

Procured one COMPLETE (down to the O2 sensors) 03' LQ9 motor with wiring harness for $1500..

Procured a set of stage II ported heads, with flow sheets, for $600 COMPLETE...

Paid all the money for the FAST 90mm intake $700.

Nick Williams 90mm TB $325.

Procured a Forged Eagle crank, and forged Eagle rods for a 402 brand new for $1200. I could have gone used for even cheaper.

I still need pistons and injectors, but by the time I sell of the stuff from the original motor and build this one, maybe I'll have $5000 into the whole thing and it'll make close to 500 rwhp...


Just do your research and look around. You could build a 1000hp LS-x motor for peanuts just from the LS-x forums with those kids giving up on their projects and selling off stuff cheap.

[2muchTA]

Hard for me to believe what people find reasonable these days.........

So far, this is what I have:

Procured one COMPLETE (down to the O2 sensors) 03' LQ9 motor with wiring harness for $1500..

Procured a set of stage II ported heads, with flow sheets, for $600 COMPLETE...


Yep, I've got a car in my garage that is LQ9 powered. Got the complete 38K mile motor with wiring harness ect..for $1350. Added heads/intake/cam/exhaust/tuning software for another ~2.5K and the thing puts out 420HP at the wheels on a Mustang dyno. That's with the standard displacement. Add the stroker kit and I would expect I could hit 500HP pretty easily.

Not to mention, the heads of the LQ9 are desirable to LS1 owners looking to go big forced induction. Sold my set for $400 and could have gotten more.

The LQ9 is my motor of choice. Cheap, reliable, plentiful, slightly stronger, and all the standard parts fit.

[QSPres]

Certainly much better than paying 2-3 times the cost for a LS2 just because the block is made of a different metal... Replacing just my front bumper and hood with fiberglass pieces saves just as much weight off the front end...

And I like the iron block for its low center of gravity anyway..

I know a guy selling another complete LQ4 right now for $750... I just don't need it.

[Tom.A]

Thanks for the input guy's. It looks like the truck engines are a good option.
Taylor I sent you a PM. Anybody with just a crate LS2 with cam change or ?

Taylor I sent you a PM.

Thanks,

[andrewmp6]

13k is to high for a small block to me i can build a merlin 632 for that kinda money. id go ls1 or ls2 and build it up

[rich-allen]

I bought my crate LS2 from Salle Chevy for around $5,000. Custom bump stick from comp cams, AFR heads Mongoose heads reworked, Jesel rockers / lifters and some custom pushrods.
The engine is right at 620 hp (crank) and should last a long time.

There's also a big list of aftermarket stuff like intake, TB, Injectors, ect. that also went into the build.

Watson Racing and Engineering in N. Calif. disassembled the motor then put it back together. Here's a link in case you want to talk to them. LINK (http://watsonracingengineering.com/)
Ask for Mike Blackstone. Tell him I sent you. ;)

Good luck,

Rich