I posted this here instead the engine swap area because I want more of the racers opinions.

Currently in the process of building a 92 Camaro to take to the road course and autocross. I have rebuilt the front suspension and installed weight jacks. Rear suspension is a Ford nine inch floater rearend with custom brackets, Moser torque arm, all the links are 1.25" tubing with heims. Going to buy coil overs for the rear. Steering column is a Sweet MFG collapsible column. Wilwood adjustable pedal assembly with balance bar. Fiberglass dash and Sparco seats. Heating and air will not be reinstalled. Planning to install a subframe connectors and cage this summer. Have already purchased a used TKO500. Hopefully that gives you a little idea of the project.

Ok, now my question is what would you recommend for an engine. I'm married and have two kids so I cant afford to go buy a $8,000 LS crate engine. Looking to buy a LS based engine from a salvage yard for less than $1500. My plan was to do basic rebuild stuff. Replace bearings, change cam, valve springs, etc. Right now i was looking into a LQ9 iron block 6.0 or a L33 all aluminum 5.3. Goal is to be around 450hp and defiantly not over 500 torque since I only have a TKO500. So....go with the lighter on the front L33 or the more displacement LQ9. Or maybe something else?

 

Pick up a junkyard 5.3, do a cam swap and drop it in.

 

I think the iron block is 80 to 100 pounds heavier.

 

floater is cool, is it out of a cup car?

 

^^^^This. Don't even give it a 2nd thought.

 

It is a new housing from PEM.
http://pemracing.com/new-9-ford-floa...tamped-center/

 

Thanks for the suggestions so far everyone. This is my first build so any other tips or ideas let me know. Thanks.

 

i was considering getting a cup floater for awhile since they could be found for relatively cheap. i felt like i needed more than their 31 spline axles though. thats a cool setup. the car being for track/autocross, an ls2/3 would be nice. i would shoot for lightweight everything.

 

Never thought of it before but before you go making a lot of changes, get a rulebook for the class of racing you intend to do to see what's allowed and what isn't. You may have a good setup for a specific class but because of one simple change, it may bump you up to a different class where you can't be competitive.

 

x2

 

Is your budget for the engine and swap $1500 or is the budget for just the engine $1500?
You could probably purchase a complete 5.3 with all accessories for $500. I've seen running LS based trucks go for $1000 on Facebook market place and I've seen 5.3 (and 4.8) engine only for $300.
Get yourself a leakdown gauge if you don't already have one (assuming the engine spins freely or you couldn't hear it run) to verify proper and equal compression across all cylinders. If you do there wouldn't be any real reason to rebuild it. You can always swap heads down the road when it's in the car. Just change the cam. And speaking of a cam, if you're wanting 450 wheel horsepower you are going to need a pretty long duration'd cam. North of 230° duration.

 

Don't rule out a good sbc, lots of awesome motors around that just bolt straight in.... With the LS craze in full swing, sbc'c available everywhere.... If you find a big inch small block, you could be in some serious hp for small dough. The car doesn't know the difference of 500hp from an LS or a sbc...

 

First, if you haven't already, get yourself out to one of the local Nebraska Region SCCA autocrosses out at the Lincoln Air Park. Next one is coming up on July 28th.

Second, as suggested above, look at a rulebook. As stated, one seemingly insignificant change can bump you up to a class you don't really want to be in. The SCCA Solo (autocross) rulebook is online here: https://www.scca.com/downloads/46411-2019-07-01-solo-rules-complete-reduced/download

Assuming whatever class you like allows the LS swap, go for the aluminum block and heads. The more weight you can take off of the front of the car, the better the handling will be.

Sounds to me like you should aim for the CAM-T class. There, you can do pretty much anything you want, as long as it still has an interior, is licensed, and runs on 200+ treadwear tires. Rules here: https://www.scca.com/downloads/43192...11-30/download and https://www.scca.com/downloads/43921...02-08/download

Come on out and say Hi! I'll be the guy with the big Hugger Orange 81 Camaro.

DaveZ