Quote:
Originally Posted by NAPA 68
Now that you have some track time on your car (and I suppose some street time as well)............what are your thoughts on the LT4?
I ask the question for the simple fact you have built some pretty outrageous combinations for comparison.
Additionally, what did you use for an intercooler?
Thanks,
Tim
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Bag for the buck the LT4 is great. I feel it makes a solid 700 HP with headers and open exhaust. For about $14k you get engine, harness and controller with a cal. To build a LS7 that makes 700 HP you will be way over that and not have a warranty. Mine also idles at 650 RPM find a LS7 that will do that.
The Thomson 427 LS9 based engine are wicked. But will run around $40K. But if you want 900 HP and 900 Ft*lb they are the best. We have ran those very hard with NO issue. But we developed that package for 10 years.
I feel the LT4 program will get stronger over the years. The LS9s were only in Corvette ZR1s for 8 years. Not a lot of cars or spare parts. The LT4 is in stock in Corvette Z06s, ZL1 Camaros, ZL1-1LE Camaros and CTS-V Caddys and will be for a while. It is also available in wet sump and dry sump. I also have the luxury of seeing the future products. So I felt it was time to jump to the new engine.
Mine is all stock and works very well. (A stock LT4 powered a 3800 lb Camaro around the Nurburgring in 7:13, it also crushed the Car and Driver's Lightning Lap times) The Camaros have way better cooling than the Corvettes.
Now the downside. The LT4 is all new and we had to prototype:
Engine mount
Headers
A/C mount
Power Steering Mount
Trans Cross member (Same as LS)
I worked with Holley on all of that so Holley will have a kit in the spring.
The rad and intercooler package is from C&R racing. Top shelf parts and people, but not cheap.
Over all this is one of my favorite builds. No painters or engine builders so no drama. My only outside shop was Sled Alley and Matt did a killer job. Best guy I have ever worked with.
We have all been there where the painter or engine builder is saying "it will be ready in 2 weeks" or "we have more time in it than we thought we would".
Mark