So I have been reading tons of threads on here and bought a couple books to try to understand lsx builds. For some reason the more I read the more confused I am getting. There seems to be a million things to do to the engine to improve longevity and power.

So what a lot of this comes down to is what should I do if I am looking for a 400 to 500hp engine? What is te best block to start with? A iron block 6.0? Also what is the best block to start off with? Ls1 ls2 ls7 etc?

I would like to know what is the best setup from heads to bolts with a $6k budget.

I have never built an engine before but I would like this to be my first. There is slot for me to learn as I go but I would definitely like to join the ls club. I have read many threads especially pockets and bluezees over and over.

So if some of you could offer good input on which would be te best combination of parts to fit my engine build goals and budget goals and what would be a good setup if I wanted to add a turbo later on.

Thanks in advance

 

Oh, boy, a blank piece of paper and spending someone else's money...

Is the $6k just for the engine, or the entire swap? I hope for just the engine.

Unless you find a sweet deal on an LS1, I wouldn't start there. For one thing, head choice is limited. But, pan/accessories will be correct for the 3rd gen install. And 400 GFWHP is practically a stock engine.

I doubt you're going to get far with $6k and an LS7.

LS2 would be nice for the 4" bore and aluminum block, but will be more $'s than a cast iron block - and not as strong.

For sure the most plentiful are 5.3's. You can bore the iron blocks to 5.7, and it'll be pretty stout. Making 400 HP, like with the LS1, will be a piece of cake. With ported stock heads and cam (and tune), 500 isn't unreasonable.

500 HP with a 6.0, though, is also easy to obtain, and can be done with stock heads and bottom end. An LQ4 would benefit from flat top pistons in that endeavor, but it's still possible with stock dished pistons. The LY6 has the L92/LS3 heads, which flow pretty well off the shelf (LS3 has lighter valves). Or, buy an LQ4 (least expensive 6.0's out there), hone it .005" over (if you wish - might be able to do a glaze break and use 4.000" pistons), put in flat top pistons, get a $350 aftermarket cam and a $150 set of LS7 lifters, top it off with a pair of these heads https://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-...enter/sd5879-1, and finish it with L76/LS3 intake, LS1 accessories, headers, etc. The cam will basically determine which side of 500 HP you end up on.

 

The $6k is for the engine and most of the accesories. I know the wiring harness will cost a pretty penny but from what I hear pocket is pretty good at that stuff. I know that I will have to get an aftermarket kmember and a bunch of other things here and there

I appreciate all the information! Don't know what all of it exactly meant but that is what google is for haha

 

http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...p/viewall.html

If you don't mind going carb, problem solved.

 

Well I have a carb in my 84z but that is going to need to get rebuilt if I pull it. But not sure I want to go the carb route. Still up in the air. Lots of options but not sure what is best. Like I said I am new to all of this

 

Ive never been the type to believe in "the best" setup because you end up with high dollar builds that could make the same power for less.

Whats best for you and what you plan to do with the car will determine how you should approach your build.As mentioned earlier with your 6k budget 5.3's/6.0's/ls1/ls2 would be good starting points with each having their own drawbacks.500hp can be had with all of them n/a..the problem is that are many ways to get there..not one magical combination that you could copy and get the same results.

You dont have to get a new k member to do an ls swap unless you want to btw.Finding a complete fbody ls1 in good shape with harness and ecu would be easiest way to start having all the accs you need to drop right in.Simple mods will get you over the 400whp mark like cam,springs,lifters/trays,trunion upgrade,ls2 timing chain,ls6 oil pump,ls6 intake,headers,port/polish heads or go with 243 heads for a compression bump for some more hp.This could be done on your budget with deals to be had on forums and might be the most bang for your buck but not boost friendly if your thinking of it in the future.

5.3/6.0's though slightly heavier than the ls1/ls2 counterparts can be found much cheaper.They run much lower compression in stock form.Their accs and oil pan setups do not fit our cars without modding of some sort or requires a cowl hood if your using the truck style intakes.They are much stronger block and take boost very well without diving into the motor itself and this will make 500+hp.Building a turbo setup can be done cheaply but takes time to workout the bugs when your new to boosted setups.Can it be done on 6k budget..that in my opinion will be hit or miss.

N/a the 5.3/6.0 to make 400hp isnt hard with heads cam,intake..but to hit closer to 500 id lean more taking the ls3 type heads cam intake approach for the topend to make those numbers.

Just throwing it out their that 6k seems like a big budget now for your motor build..it will disappear quick.Its the supporting mods you need that eat up any budget.Bolts,gaskets,fuel system,shipping on parts etc etc.You cant go wrong with any of the ls motors,just need to know what you can expect from the different groups for power vs longevity vs cost.See whats available to you at the going rates..if a deal and half pops up..be prepared to jump on it.Good luck

 

You guys have given me way more advice than I expected! I was leaning more towards a 6.0. And use an ls6 intake (I believe that is compatible). But like you said 86white... It comes down to the best deal. I really wanted to see a lot of your opinions and what you think is the best bang for your buck.

From what I see though every engine has it's ups and downs depending on the build style

 

Imo fresh lower mileage truck motor from 07 up with the better factory rods. Ls3 heads,mild cam and call it a day. Easy 400-500 hp and built to last. Know several guys with factory shortblock ls truck motors from 4.8's to 6.0's making 600-900 hp on turbo setups and surviving years! Very durable and cheap.

If you want to build, just tear down, rehone and put new rings bearings into it. Stock internals are good

Wont need much more than 1500-2000 grand for entire motor with ls3 heads

 

Sounds like that would save me a good hunk of money. Definitely want the engine to Last though.

So you would keep most of it stock orr89rocz?

 

Well depends on how hard you are on it. My stock ls1 with bolt ons at 87k miles was driven fairly hard to where its at now at 125k miles. No idea of its previous history. Runs fine. They are pretty resilient.

My friends stock 5.3 that was cleaned up and new rings but all stock internals and even has the weak rods as its a early year 5.3 has lived for 3 yrs now at 600-700 whp from twin turbos shifting near 7k if not abit past that.

Other buds stock 219k mile 6.0 truck motor survived several years of heads cam nitrous to 10 second passes. Hes a racer and raced it hundreds of passes a year

So depends how hard you are on it but i dont see 400-500 hp ever destroying an ls motor as long as tune is good and keep up with maintenance/oil changes etc. thats not asking alot. I know stock bottom heads cam ls1 in my buds trans am made 400-430 whp and he beats the hell out of it. No probs. then other friends motors blow up after improper heads/cam installs and no tuning. It makes a difference

 

My truck 6.0 cost more than my ls1 over here but it was low miles and came with an ls6 intake.I took the pan off and was amazed how well things looked inside,needed a new oil pump and timing chain.I already had my ls1 swap so all I had to do was swap longblocks and reuse everything.The iron blocks will last long if you treat them right..i was told they were designed to last well upto 400,000m. Keeping the bottom end stock is common.Id change the rod bolts for added insurance.If you are set on doing boost later on then keep the stock 317 heads,ls9 gaskets,turbo cam,new lifters/trays,hardend pushrods,dual springs,piece together a decent turbo kit and tune it well.This setup will prove to be big hp and can be done cheap depending on parts/labor and would last awhile.

 

Alright i might sounds like a moron here but what exacty is a rod bolt. (I am new to all of this)

Now as far as wiring... Would swapping the interior and transmission to a fourth gem alleviate a lot of wiring headaches? I have heard of guys doing 4th fen swaps and all so I would assume that if everything in the interior was 4th gen it would allow youth use most of the wiring harness without having to splice slot. No as far as windows and rear hatch release etc that would have to be fixed but other than that would it be a pretty straight forward swap?

 

Also sorry for the typos. I am using my iPod due to the fact I am deployed to Afghanistan at the moment

 

Piston connecting rod bolts commonly called rod end bolts.Alot of guys upgrade these to arp or equivalent hardened bolts when pushing higher rpms for a longer period of time.Apparently they tend to let go and cause good damage.I dont know if this was common to just early ls1's.

Wiring..well that depends on you skill level of wiring.In some ways swapping in a 4thgen dash might save you some wiring headaches for the engine swap but bring its own headaches with the dash swap and making things work like the hvac,fuel gauge etc.
If you take it slow and read Pockets wiring guides you can do the wiring without much hassle.I didnt tear my engine harness right down the way he did.I simply connected everything on the motor while it was on a stand,labled each connector,put aside anything I wasnt going to use such as a/c,emissions,rear o2 sensors.I cut them off and taped them hidden in the factory loom.I also put aside the wires the needed to run inside the car,made my connections,tested everything before putting things back together.Really not hard..just time consuming,everyone gets afraid because it does look like a big mess but once you break it down and grasp that alot of wires are common grounds etc..there isnt much to actually wire up.making it neat is a whole different story lol

 

I have read so many threads. The more i read the more it worries me haha. But no better way to learn than hands on right?

I have an 84 z right now that isn't in the best shape so I found a really nice 86 iroc for $4k and was going to buy that, take the tpi out of it and put it in the 84 and do the ls swap on 86 iroc

Some of you guys are just crazy on this board or are made of money haha. You guys all have some nice cars. Hopefully I will get mine there soon.

I could ask you guys all sort of questions all day about the engine to exhaust to brakes.

 

Thats what the forum is here for,we learn from each other.There are soo many different setups,I for one and not made of money..nor time lol.I do like to read threads of people having problems and what causes them and ways to fix them.Gives me an idea what to expect when you take things to a certain level.My goals are tame,400whp daily summer driver for now and decent on gas.Im getting closer to that now still on stock manifolds lol.

 

Once you understand a few basics like how to splice and terminate, wiring is more about not letting it intimidate you than anything else. Well, and not being color blind is a good thing...

I would recommend a LS series transmission. One of the quirks of the LS series engines is one bell housing bolt used on SBC's and BBC's can't be used because of how close the water jacket is. So, they used the bolt at the top center of the bell housing that older engines never used, plus added a bottom section to the bell housing with bolts to the engine oil pan. Much stronger. If you get beyond what a 4L60E can handle, then you should be looking at a 4L80E.

 

I completely agree with you white on the tame tame summer driver haha... And the time and money

I heard about that problem five7kid. I will definitely need to look into it more and see if I can get a decent 4l80e. And get it rebuilt or something. Never hurts to go stronger than what you could possibly use. I guess that is just the reassurance side of me haha

 

Good thread, keeping my eye on this one. I'm currently working on the same thing. Hunting for an LS now.

Below are some notes that I have put together from threads & pasted onto a notepad on my PC.

Tubular k member=$530 to keep a/c (hawks or spohn)

You do need to hook up the steam line that comes out of the top of the heads via a small tube beside the throttle body. It is meant to be routed to the highest point in the cooling system to relieve the steam that can build up. If this is not connected you run the risk of cooking your new LS1 so be careful here.

Up rad hose #: Gates 20893
Lower rad hose #: Gates 21505
Transmission Crossmember, 84-92 Camaro/Firebird Hawks 4L60E Conversion Transmission Crossmember=$110

Stock fourth gen LS1 manifolds will fit and actually do a fine job as far as manifolds go.
There are two series of these and both fit, although the second design (2001 and newer) perform as well if not better than shorty headers/
If you run manifolds you have to build a y-pipe yourself or farm it out to an exhaust shop as there is no current option for sale. Once you get your manifolds/headers and y pipe figured out the cat back is pretty straight forward from there, although plan on having to make an intermediate pipe to connect it all up

Camaro/Firebird 82-92 LS1 Swap Fuel Line Kit=279.(hawks)

Camaro/Firebird Aeromotive Fuel Pressure Regulator=174.95 (hawks)

 

That's some good info mmroc! I never saw anything about thE steam line so good thing you mentioned that

As far as the kmember and ac thing can't you just notch out the stock kmember and get some mounts?

If I find anything useful I will post it on here for you. I am just trying to collect as much info as I can from all these guys so I can the most informed as I can.

 

thought I would squeeze a ? in here. I'm building a 496 stroker. All forged bottom end, Aluminum heads that will be studded, decent cam. I plan on spraying maybe a 200 shot. what would be a good head gasket to use that don't cost a house payment? part #s would be awesome.

 

6K engine budget?

Id get a 414 LS3 based short, 24x conversion, LS3 heads, 228/236 LSL LXL cam, ported LS3 intake, Hawks 2" headers, and yeeeeee hawwww

But 6K total build? Junk Yard LY6 6.0L, 24x conversion, 224/232 LSL LSL cam, LS3 intake, 1 3/4" hawks LT's with 4L80 or t56 ( but $$$ ) and still pretty yee haw