Help Me Choose My New Engine
 

Guys, I have sold my LS 6.0 408 and now I'm ready to upgrade my engine. But, I'm having a little difficulty deciding on which engine to buy. Therefore, I have turned to the brotherhood to help me decide and wiegh my options. My two choices are the LSx 376 long block that GM sells and top it off with a Magnuson TVS 2300 or the MAST LS7 427 or LS7 440.

Mods, sorry I put this in the wrong place. I meant to put it under open discussions. Move it if need be. Thanks!

ls9 crate engine

Uhhhh, Hifi...I ain't rich. I thought about it though. But, I have a truck I wanna get started on soon.

polls are in! the 376 it is!

I just wanted to say that because I'm the only one that has voted so far. :D

Marcus you know how I voted. Question for you: if you're considering a 376/maggie, why sell the 6.0? No bad choice here, Brother ...:lateral:

Well, I sold the motor earlier this week and didn't consider the Maggie/376 combo until last night. Besides, the 6.0 wasn't set up for forced induction, so I would have had to go back thru it with lower compression pistons, etc. It would have been easier and cheaper to sell the 6.0 and buy the LSx 376.

If you plan to use a TVS 2300, then you have to use L92/LS3 heads. The 6.0 block uses LS2 style head, so it won't work in your application. You could use a different magnacharger that is based on the Gen V blower for a 6.0 Block.

What I don't like about the LSX 376 is the connecting rods is powdered metal, which doesn't tell what is the hp rating for the rod.

Another option to use for a block is an L92 engine, but it uses the same cylinder heads as the LS3 engine. You can buy a complete L92 engine (Engine pullout) with computer and rebuild it to be a supercharged engine. Katech has the oil squirters, and have your machinist install the squirters. You have to buy new custom pistons, forged connecting rods that have hp rating.
Cost of L92 is lower than LSX376. Take the L92/LS3 heads and have them cnc ported. Oh, yeah, I used an L92 block on my engine with the Harrop TVS 2300, but I wanted more cubes. So I used a Crower stroker crank.

Now you have your choice of superchargers, LS9, Harrop TVS2300 or Magnacharger. Depends on how much horsepower and torque you want to make though. Wegner builds the pulley accessory setup for Harrop and Magnacharger. Although, it will take a custom Rick's Tank, custom radiator setup for liquid to air intercooler,etc.


Jeff

I voted based on weight.:D

Marcus...


Sorry I missed your call. I have kind of a busy day today. Unusual.. But it's just that time of year.

I'm a fan of NA, Blowers and FI provide too many headaches for my liking.

Marcus big block all the way!!!:D

No prob Greg. I'll call you later so when can finish our convo. Thanks! ;)

I say you go with a forged LS3 418 with a mild cam....you can easly save $4K with a built short block from a reputable shop and assemble yourself a great set of LS3 cnc heads and make great power....My last LS3 Engine made 532 rwhp and still holding strong in a 95 Nissan 240SX.....If you need info on a engine builder PM for details....No need to drop $15K on a engine if you can duplicate it for $9K-10K for the same results.

Guys, the reason I'm even considering the supercharged LSx 376 is because I fell in love with this engine that Greg Weld had to put into his 62. There is no denying the beauty of this supercharged look.
**(pics borrowed from Greg Welds thread)
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...g/lsx376-2.jpg
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...g/lsx376-3.jpg
http://i1122.photobucket.com/albums/...ogg/lsx376.jpg

That's the 700hp silver bullet right there Marcus! :yes:

Factory all the way (well not really buy you know what I mean) - reliable - simple... tons of bottom end. Runs smooth... good cruising fuel milage. What's not to like? :woot:

Yep Greg, I've been staring at those pics ever since you posted them.:drool: :drool:

MAST 427. Simple and powerful.

Get a really big one :yes:

Everytime I come on this site,it cost me money....:willy: :lateral: :cheers:

Even the Ford guy voted. Just cuz I picked this little gem don't hold it against it.:lol:

20" HREs all around, IRS rear in a custom frame. I just see your car as a a true protourer. A comfortable smooth street car that is still very competent on a track but not a track first focus.

Sure the supercharged motor is heavier but it's not like you went on a weight savings binge anywhere else. Why not have smooooth power and good milage for those road trips with a bunch of on demand low end grunt.

700hp it will still be a missile:unibrow:

Makes you want to rethink building the 'iron lung' doesn't it? :rofl: :rofl:

I chose the 427/440 option because the sound of that thing at WOT will bring a tear to the eye of God himself. :hail:

Very sweet setup Greg..I don't know how I missed those pics/specs. Cant beat the supercharger power and looks with ability to keep drive-ability, mileage and have 700 HP.

I GUESS you know what my vote is :-)

The blown 376 will fill your Chevelle's cavernous engine bay so nicely. And they are very well built engines. :thumbsup:

I voted 427/440. I'm a big fan of the 427.
Although, that 376 with the supercharger looks pretty tasty too! You have some deciding to do bud. Good luck.

GM warranty is 2 yeas and 24 months.

Nope :D Just reminds me you need a supercharger on an LS to make the same hp:rofl:

I do like your name for my little daily driver motor "Iron Lung" :cheers:

Not really, here is a 700Hp NA LS7 that runs on pump gas.
https://lateral-g.net/forums/show...hlight=ls7+700


If I recall yours used racing fuel to achieve those numbers. Actually, there was a 427 side oiler that dyno tested before my LS3 418 with Harrop TVS2300. I used 93 octane pump gas and my Hp numbers were much higher and with a peak torque of 787 ft/lbs at 3900. :rofl: Never tested with racing fuel..

Jeff

And it idled like your Grandmas Buick....


:thumbsup:

Guys, could someone elaborate on these two engine builders please. PM me if there's something you don't want to say in the thread. But, I need to know real world facts. The two engine builders are ERL Performance and Golen High Performance Engines. I like what the guys at ERL are talking about and I've heard a few things about Golen. But, what shop hasn't had a bad experience or two? I know there are alot of other reputable builders out there, trust me, I've spoken to just about all of them at least twice. :rofl:

ERL performance primary builds the superdeck, but it is mainly used for racing engines. One of those engines (Ohio Boys) on ERL performance website was built by Kurt Urban. Here is a article on that engine. http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...s/viewall.html


Kurt Urban offered me advice on building my engine, and he did get me Rich Gala from the former W2W to tune my engine. At that time, Kurt wasn't willing to build an engine, so I relied at my local engine builder to build the engine.

I am not sure your hp goals, but if you are looking for an LS Engine with a TVS 2300 then I recommend the following engine builders.

Kurt Urban http://www.kurturbanperformance.com/
Brain Thompson http://www.thomsonautomotive.com/lsengines.html
http://www.wegnerautomotive.com/ Wegner Motorsports built an Ls3 with 914 hp. There is a video on youtube of it. Also Casey Wegner builds the accessory pulley setup for both Magnacharger TVS 2300 and Harrop TVS 2300.

Jeff

Never heard much about Golen.

Jeff, funny you mentioned Thomson. I just spoke with them on Friday. :lol: A great bunch of guys. But, the thing is, I already have an LS7 block that needs to be resleeved and I wanted to get it resleeved to aid in the longer stroke. The stock sleeves aren't capable of stroking to 454, etc. ERL is willing to take my block as a core and sell me one of their ductile iron, resleeved LS7 441's for a nice price. Now, I know I'm not gonna be racing and yes I can do an LS3, etc. These are just thoughts running through my head right now. I'm still debating on superchrged vs. naturally aspirated. An LS3 is still an option, but so is a blown LS7.:wow:

I've heard alot of good about ERL and Thompson. Wegner is another. Never heard of Golen. You might want to check out Virginia Speed too they seem like a good shop.

Costly option for the resleeved LS7. I saw their price, but that would hard decision to make. Here is a thread on a ERL 441 to give you the dyno results.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c6-f...o-session.html

The numbers on NA is 662/585 NA

I am way past those numbers with my LS3 418 and the Harrop TVS 2300. I was rather picky on the components, because compstar is made overseas. So my engine builder selected Crower Maxi Light Crank 4" stroke, Crower Maxi Light billet rods, Katech Piston Squirters, and custom Ross pistons. I definitely recommend the piston squirters, and it can be used in an LS7.

The TVS 2300 power is made with CNC cylinder heads, and more porting. I listened to the right engine builders at the time, but there was lot ways to increase power now. Lance Nist of Pantera Efi told me a simple trick with a cam change. Lance does work for Wegner, but is sort of his prototype engine builder. That was one trick that I didn't do on my engine, but I do it soon.


Good luck,

Jeff

That's the way you build a bottom end...:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Dang Jeff...sweet engine. I'm a bit envious.:yes: Don't know if I can ball out of control like that. Very nice quality parts you have in there too. I'll check into some of those. While I'm going to build a nice motor, I don't have to have the top of the line parts. I'm still gonna save money where I can, because there are a few other things I want to upgrade like a nice interior and an all new stereo system.