I'm considering getting an LS7 crate engine, I see where LS1 engines have been put in third gen, and LS7 engines in fourth gens... so I would think it should be possible, but does anybody have any more concrete info?

 

The only think concrete I have for you is the outrageous price you will pay for it all.

$15,000 for the LS7 not including harness or computer

Now that the engine is taken care of, get a custom k-member and front suspension that can handle the size and extra weight, as well as the dry-sump equipment. Need a computer and custom harness to handle it all as well. Need a transmission to bolt up to it and be able to handle he torque. Don't forget the new crossmember to hold it in, and possibly a custom driveshaft.

That stock rear-end wont take it. Drop about another $2-3k for a Ford 9" or 12 Bolt Moser to handle the power. Get the frame strengthened with SFCs and possibly a cage. Don't forget the rear suspension as well. Next comes the fuel system. Need to upgrade the pump and fuel lines for that power. Also need much larger brakes all around. Now that all of that is taken care of, you need that custom exhaust so the LS7 will work in the third gen.

Unless you have a cheap and complete Z06 sitting around for parts, buy a Z06.

Oh, I forgot the larger radiator, and money spent on custom ECM operating system (EFIlive). It will all need some dyno tuning as well to get it to a T. Better tires and wheels to ride on too.

 

the swap would be exactly the same as any LSx swap except:

you'll need a custom crank pulley that fit the dry sump crank setup and matched the fbody accessories (that you'll have to swap on)

you'll have to mount the drysump tank and such... but if you're creative, its not hard.




really, its a waste of money though... for the cost of it, you could build something much faster and more reliable. hell for the cost of buying it, you could PAY someone to build it and put it in. lol.

 

^ To add to the above, for the cost of the LS7 swap, you could literally buy a low mileage fourth generation F-Body, LS1 (w/LS6 intake, depending on year) included. Either that, or you could build a twin turbo SBC for literally half the price. I wouldn't recommend an LS7 swap, unless the ZO6 literally comes with it....

 

Uh....I was under the assumption that the LS7 had the same size block as the other Gen III and IV engines.

But, as things set now, you could build a 6.0 (stroked of course) with L92 heads and intake and have it installed with transmission and rear end for a couple thousand more than just the LS7 would cost. Given, the LS7 would be stock and making around the same and you could still cam the LS7 and do bolt-ons and kill the stroked 6.0.

 

Thanks for the replies...

I wasn't so much concerned with overall cost, I'm guessing it'll come out to somewhere between 20-30k and that should be fine... my assumption was that doing this would give me the best stock engine, then I could modify it later if I want more power...

The only part that I see as an issue is custom engine mounting, I had thought the size would be relatively close to the stock 305 and the LT1/LS1 since it's also a SBC engine, which another post says... the shipping says the engine+crate is approximately 1000lbs, I'll try to find weight on the stock engine... are you sure it wouldn't bolt in to the front end? I did of course expect to need to replace the transmission/rear end and reinforce the frame to handle the additional torque
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Oh, on a side note... I see a new Z06 at about 70k... I can't see this adding up to anywhere near that...

 

I think that they have the same mouting/bolting patterns as any Gen III or IV engine. But, you should check LS1Tech for that info. Also, I don't see the LS7 weighing much more than the LS2s.

 

its external dimensions are identical to all of the other genIII and genIV blocks.
so a "ls1 swap" Kmember fits it.... (and would be the way to go on a high buck build anyway)

you would want one of the genIII+ transmissions behind it... either one of the computer controled autos, a T56.. or wait a year or so, and maybe a 6060... lol.

but seriously, the LS7 is going the way of the LT5... a very cool motor, and it will hold its place in history.. but it wont be the "big dog" motor much longer. the future is BRIGHT... LOL.

 

If the LS7 is being obsoleted, what is obsoleting it?

I checked out the LS1tech boards, and that was very useful...

 

Nothing is really obsoleting, it's just that GM is coming out with the LS3 and the LS9 (supercharged LS3 basically). The LS3 has 435 hp and the LS9 is supppsed to have something like 600+. Both will probably be available for less than the LS7. The LS7 has alot of race grade parts in it and they are all hand built....that's why they are so much. Hell of a nice engine, though.

 

just have a shop build you an LSX and call it a day.

 

Yes, a Z06 will be about 70k, but you also have a complete race-built and proven system to go along with the LS7. The collector and resale value is also there.

Somone COULD just use a GenIII transmisson to go along with it, but unless it is built and designed to take the abuse that the LS7 is going to give it, I wouldn't try it. The transmission in the Z06's have a lot of upgraded parts. What I mean by this is don't use a T56 pulled from a junkyard Camaro. Take the time and spend the cash to have it race prepped, or buy a Viper spec T56, or order the one that comes in the Z06s.

As everyone else said, you can build something much faster for less money. The only point I see in doing this is to say "hey, I have an LS7 Third Gen." A $30,000 build, not considering body work, paint, or any interior work is a lot to throw at a third gen at one time (if this is going to be a show quality car). Unless your car is already a rare type, you will never get what you put into the car.

Its not my $, so do what you want with it. I'm just saying you can make a faster, much more fun car for less money...

 

Of course I'd want a good transmission to go with it...

I'm still researching what the best options are, and I was thinking that with the stock LS7 it would give me the ability to add more performance modifications later and end up with more power than other options in the same price range at the end of the line...

I do appreciate all the replies... I was thinking of spending around 30-40k on this (probably not all at once)... so I figured this would be the best way to go, if something else would be better, I appreciate any insight there as well Is there an IRC channel or anything?

 

my advice would to go with an lsx block and go with the 454 cubic inch, afr heads, fast 90, a nice mellow grind cam and boost the **** out of in with twins. it will cost the same if not less than an ls7 does, it still retains wet sump oiling, and will drive with great street manors. I would back it with a well built t-56 and a 9" rear.

 

I've actually been looking at the LSX tech data, and I like that option... that's probably what I'll end up going with

It'll be a bit more work, but it's definately a more versatile block... wouldn't the dry-sump oiling be a better choice?

 

And dont forget to take lots of pictures. I know that a lot of us really appreciate that kind of thing. I certainly do

LSx 450+ cubes and boost sounds like the way to go.

 

I agree, LSX block and going 454 would be a very good choice. It also opens up a lot of options for customization. BTW what kind of transmission do you plan for it? Manual or automatic? You may have already said and I missed it...

On a side note, where do you live? Its 4am here! My excuse is that I work 3rd shift....

 

power to you man.. if u got the dough and thats wut u want i say get it.. im 99.99% sure size of an ls7 is the same as an ls1 i do know that the ls's are bigger then a typical sbc.. due to being aluminum it needs more material to be as sturdy.. it weighs less then a standard sbc.. it has to.. it would be f@@@@@@ stupid if it didnt.. totaly pointless.. but i guess it could be more as i have no clue.. and i do know that the mounting is different from ls to gen1.. and if u get a tranny capable of handling it u can get a bell housing adapter.. i personaly like the dry sump system and all that jazz.. im looking into a world aluminum gen1 block.. with the power of an ls7.. should be fun and close to as expensive.. heres to those of us who want over expensive but realy nice and unique 3rd gens

 

I plan on putting a stick in it, which should be fun... since it's currently an auto... the specific transmission I have no idea... still mostly trying to figure out what exactly I will do and how I plan on going about doing so -- I live in hawaii