IrocTheZ28

Hello fellow Third Genners! Long time no see....

Winter is nearly gone and spring is near in CT.
I have worked a ton of hours and managed to save approx $15,000 towards a project I had in mind for the longest time. I have my mind set on tearing out the 305 TPI and installing the Scoggin-Dickey ZZ383. On the website, it seems this is a generic block pic but I am interested in the power and ease of a carbed application nonetheless.

The ZZ383 http://sdparts.com/details/gm-perfor...parts/12498772

I also thought about this comparably priced LSX376 motor and jumping in to the LS world and not afraid of trying out new stuff.
The LSX376 http://sdparts.com/details/gm-perfor...parts/19171049

Some projects begin by an idea but not the funds to support it just yet so I got the money now. Whatever engine I decide to pick will be mated to an automatic and decent rearend recommended that can handle the abuse. Some of you die hard relics will go carbed while others took the LSx route so feel free to chime in so I can get an idea where to start. I'm asking for a wish list for parts that will see more street duty than track so I'm not afraid to throw money at my Camaro. Just need guidance from the experienced tried and true recipes because I'm ready to build my street machine. I realize there are nearly several hundred proven engine combos to pick from but this is why I'm writing to gauge a starting point. Ok enough for now...

Below is the '88 IROC Z28 needing more power. I'll be gettin down and dirty with removing the 305 soon.

cuisinartvette

LSX376 hands down. If theres any way for you to swing it do it!!

1989GTATransAm

iTrader: (3)

I agree the LSX376 is the better motor. Things will be a lot cheaper if you are going to put a carb on it. If you are going EFI you will need every bit of that $15000 by the time you are done. I don't know what the smog lows are in your state as it appears you have a very nice street car.

IrocTheZ28

I definitely have my eyes set on this motor. Gotta be brave and research this further before I chip away at the $15K saved. Should be worth it.

Alrighty, the LSX376 is a particular motor I have been doing an extended research on Scoggin-Dickeys website. Plus GM Performance Parts website is a candy store full of LS engines. No wonder one can spend endless hours there with a bib. It's too easy to buy an engine nowadays.

I watch too much Horsepower TV every Saturday morning and blame Courtney Hansens smile for my project procrastination but I do have a question.

Let's say I do order the LSX376: P/N 19171049.

1 - How would this particular longblock in a crate arrive, off a flatbed truck with a mechanical crane? I doubt the UPS or FedEx box truck drivers will wink at me with a longblock in their arms. Something makes me think this is arriving in a giant plastic container.

I live in Connecticut. When I hit "Add To Cart", shipping adds a whopping $1000 extra to this item I noticed if I have it delivered to my nearest participating Chevy dealership which is in Massachusetts according to GMPP. Seems an alternative would be a roadtrip to a Wisconsin Chevy dealership in a rental van would offset this cost to pick it up myself. Gotta be another way since I'm a novice at this.

IrocTheZ28

Thanks for the compliment! There is a lot of work to be done both inside and out on my bone stock Z28. I'd like to add the 90-92 body ground effects as well for a more badboy racer look to it.

You bring the smog law issue to light now. Last week I used a sawzall to cut way the cat and exhaust pipe leading to the rear before the axle because it dropped due to all the rust eating it away. Typical of a Northeast Camaro but the aftermarkets support I'm no stranger to. I had a 3 inch stainless steel Gale Banks exhaust system installed in my '83 Trans Am and boy did it sound and look beautiful! It also passed smog and inspection back in the 90's. I'm not letting go of the Pontiac just yet, it's sitting away for a new ideas for that later this year.

Anyways, yes I believe the emissions from an LSX will be interesting to see how that fares with Connecticut. I'll certainly look into that when I'm cruising through my inspection station and ask them how I would go around an upgrade such as this.

Here's a pic of my beloved Dark Royal Blue '83 Trans Am for you Pontiac fans out there. My 1st car that made me a disciple of GM muscle.

gbayfisher

Thats a nice working budget, congrats! What camshaft and horsepower rating does the LSX have?

Is you car still fuel injection or has it been converted?

Have you considered working with a local engine builder?

Looking forward to see this build progress!

Btw, nice iroc!

RockJay81

iTrader: (1)

Ls engines are the devil!!

IrocTheZ28

It's gonna be a heck of a motor!
LSX376 Part Number:19171049
Engine Type:LSX-Series Gen IV Small-Block V-8
Displacement (cu in):376 cu in (6.2L)
Bore x Stroke (in):4.060 x 3.620 (103.25 x 92 mm)
Block (P/N 19244055)::LSX cast-iron with 6-bolt, cross-bolted main caps
Crankshaft (P/N 12597569):Nodular iron
Connecting Rods (P/N 12624231):Powdered metal
Pistons (P/N 19244016):Forged aluminum
Camshaft Type (P/N 12603844):Hydraulic roller
Valve Lift (in):0.551" intake / 0.522" exhaust
Camshaft Duration (@.050 in):204? intake / 211? exhaust
Cylinder Heads (P/N 12615869):LS3 rectangular port; with "as cast" 68cc chambers
Valve Size (in):2.160 intake / 1.590 exhaust
Compression Ratio:9:1
Rocker Arms (P/N 12569167 int):Investment-cast, roll trunnion
Rocker Arms (P/N 10214664 exh):Investment-cast, roll trunnion
Rocker Arm Ratio:1.7:1
Recommended Fuel:92 octane
Maximum Recommended RPM:6600
Reluctor Wheel:58X
Internally balanced

Well the TPI is still intact with my 305 so upon tearing that out I will start listing those parts off Ebay, Craiglist or here in the board classifieds in the future.

I have identified a few engine shops and builders in my area and gonna mention to them about my project I'll be working on. I been wrenching on these F-Bodies since 1987 so I know what old parts need to be removed or upgraded. Looks like I'm gutting the entire bottom half of the chassis for suspension and taking ideas from Hawk's website for K-members and other stuff. It's a daunting task so I'll be taking tons of pics for show & tell.

Q: As for an engine builder I'm wondering what I could possibly use them for? Seems that this long block needs an aftermarket intake slapped on top, serpentine drivebelt assembly, starter, exhaust, waterpump, power steering pump, alternator and a custom ignition setup which I can do myself. The tuning or ECM install is something I'll need to order and have the engine builder start with I assume. I guess they can help me establish Top Dead Center for the intial firing. What else can you add if I need to have an engine builder? Thanks for the advice!

IrocTheZ28

Speaking from experience? You have an LQ4 6.0 !

My LS1 in my stock '02 SS still puts chills in my spine, the power is smooth and there's so much potential for it. I want my 3rd Gen Z28 to be show and go too.

gbayfisher

I mentioned a builder for building you an engine from scratch as opposed to a crate. Those crates are well priced though. I would go bigger cam on the LSX if it were me, and fuel injection!

1989GTATransAm

iTrader: (3)

As I mentioned that is only the long block. There are going to be so many things that you will need to buy for it. You mentioned a new K member. That will take car of one issue. You are going to have to hunt down all the accessories and their brackets, starter motor and on an on. Maybe buy a doner car that has been in a wreck.

paul_huryk

The question is - how far do you want to go?

If you want to slap in a motor to replace your present one, go for the 383. If you want to do a full car conversion, go LSX.

Keep in mind that a 6.2L LSX with ported L92 heads, proper cam, and the right exhaust can make 550HP+, something the 383 won't be able to do. Not to mention the 90lb weight savings if you go aluminum LS vs. iron SBC...