Poll: LS3 or LS7 vs. GM Crate Ram Jet 502

[markd]

I want to thank everyone for helping me spend my hard earned cash! It figures that 55% of the voters would select the most expensive engine!!!

Based on the comments, a customized LS3 might be the way to go.

I have a sometime, before I am ready for the engine and have to make the final decision. I am currently trying to get the car in paint before my next deployment (Fall 08). When I comeback in the 2009, I will purchase the engine and hopefully finish the build.

[Stuart Adams]

Originally Posted by Camaro69vn10

I want to thank everyone for helping me spend my hard earned cash! It figures that 55% of the voters would select the most expensive engine!!!

Based on the comments, a customized LS3 might be the way to go.

I have a sometime, before I am ready for the engine and have to make the final decision. I am currently trying to get the car in paint before my next deployment (Fall 08). When I comeback in the 2009, I will purchase the engine and hopefully finish the build.

Having just had a CUSTOMIZED LS motor built a stock LS 7 will be about the same money, just for your info. Good luck.

[redfire69]

This is an interesting thread as I'm considering these options as well. I was wondering does anyone think that an LS motor swap will look dated in 10 years? Kind of like an LT motor does now? Its something I'm trying to take into consideration to try to build a timeless car, so it won't look too dated down the road. No offense to anyone, just my opinion... and having said this I'm still leaning toward an LS2/3/$

[ss dave]

I went from a carbed 383 to a modified wet sump LS7 in my 69. I couldn't be happier with the swap, but it is expensive and not for the faint of heart. When making the swap to any LS powerplant you have to consider changing the motor mounts, wire harness, some gauges: if not all of them, fuel lines, gas tank, probably the transmission-with controller if auto, exhaust, drive shaft length, an ECU needs to be added.
You can do a carbed LS for less- but that defeats the purpose unless you just want an LS aluminum block. The aftermarket performance stuff for an LS is outstanding and always improving. I went from 335whp with my built 383 to well over 485whp with a NA LS7, and with a little help from Tyler at ATS- well over 500whp. By comparison on the same dyno a new LS7 Z06 with CA intake, LT headers and manual put down 440whp. Some builders are getting more than 700hp from a NA LS7, so the performance is comparable to BB. With that kind of performance, I don't think the LS powerplant will be outdated in the near future.