dennisbernal91z

iTrader: (2)

I am building up my 91 Z28 and want something powerful, reliable that is easy to work on and gets OK MPG. I want to drive to shows that are far away. Think Hot Rod power tour, stuff like that.

I also want to drive it to work daily in the summer, 30 miles one way.

Assuming cost is not a factor, what would be best? I also want 100% plug and play proven performance with a warranty.

This lead me to Connect and Cruise setups.

At first I was 100% locked into the LSA with a manual.
But today I stumbled onto the dyno sheet of the 502 Ram Jet. Over 550 ft-lbs at 2000 RPM! That's nuts. It takes a lot of revs to make those numbers in the LSA.

Anyways, I am torn and looking for advice. Still leaning more towards LSA for weight, modern parts, and MPG.

midias

LSX with EFI and a T56 manual. If cost was not a factor then a 454 LSX would be a monster

http://www.chevrolet.com/performance...ngines/lsx-454

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

You still stuck on this? A bbc will never get the mileage but with cubes will make big power easily all motor. But they are big and heavy.

Lsa with its blower will be well above that torque number and get decent mileage and be reliable. Cam and springs can be near stock like which will go 80,000+ miles. Seems simple

dennisbernal91z

iTrader: (2)

Yeah I guess you are right, the LS family is just too far advanced from the older BB stuff.

I was just blown away by the TQ down low #s of the BB.

Really impressive #s.

I guess I will stick with the LSA Connect and Cruise and pulley it some time down the line if I want more.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

Trust me the roots/screw blower stuff is pretty potent off cruise rpm. Even centris can do power when done right. A simple 383 tpi procharger i tuned had over 450 lb ft in the mid 2000's rpm off the hit and it was only 3-4 psi there

There was a cammed zl1 camaro that made 673/646 hp/tq at the tire. Was over 550 by 2800 ish rpm. 12 psi. Insane power, you will like it

Cammed pullied ctsv was doing 600 wtq by 3000. Fun motors

dennisbernal91z

iTrader: (2)

Damn, sound like potent setups

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

Yup all basic setups my friends shop put together and tuned

dennisbernal91z

iTrader: (2)

Well happy to see that my design direction for the car will net a potent setup.

Once I finish some small upgrades for the house, I will be back to the Camaro to see if I can get the sheet metal restoration portion complete so I can get the 4 point in.

I sold about $2k worth of parts from my old setup. Goes right into the "motor fund".

Still have the F1 head unit, motor, brackets and intercooler. Should be interesting trying to sell those things.

bk2life

big blocks are made for low rpm tq, always have been.

you stated good mpgs, and long daily drives. That screams LS territory.

dennisbernal91z

iTrader: (2)

Very true.

In the end I just want reliable power with good MPG to get me to work and years of trouble free cruising. I would love to pack on 100K miles on this car when it is done.

LSA all the way! Time to save save save.

I will list my motor, blower head unit and carb this weekend. Every penny goes towards the LSA/trans.

bk2life

..fwiw you can get a 4.8 from the parts yard for under $600 complete. The last 3 i have pruchased all have been $450
add $500 for a standalone wiring and computer tune
add the $40 adaptor to mount the ls to your trans
new exahsut, and LS swap mounts.

this swap can be done for $1500--or under if your good with lookin around the net for deals.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

I wouldnt take a direct junkyard pickup motor without tearing it down and freshening it up. Especially if you want big power with reliability. A turbo 4.8 would be fantastic once you put in new bearings at the right clearance for boost, along with rings. I would do pistons and rods for ultimate strength and reliability. But its also not quite as responsive as a LSA type motor. It could be pretty instant with a small frame turbo however

For fairly cheap, you could do a 6.0 block with LSA heads and take off blower from a ctsv zl1 etc. thousands cheaper than anything else available blower wise and very stout for factory blower.

bk2life

goto facebook, look up sloppy mechanics. Tell us again how JY high mileage motors dont stand up to lots of boost...

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

I dont need to. I already know some get by doing nothing, but most of the stock bottom end guys doing bIg numbers are not on gm oem spec unopened bottoms. You can do it right or you can do it sloppy. Its up to you

dennisbernal91z

iTrader: (2)

I am SUPER sure they hold up to boost, but problem I have with all the suggestions is that they are all "custom" or semi custom. I have done that for 10 years and don't want to do that anymore. I just want to get in and drive... For years on end with no issue, upkeep or other "stuff" happening.

My 390 SBC was a great setup with my T56 and F1 blower. But if there was ever an issue I had to figure out well MY setup needs more cooling, more ignition, different plugs, better intake? Adjust the carb hat? New carb, different jets, enough fuel pump? How about ignition wires, is one burned out... whats that sound, sticky valve, no not that...

I am not in the mood for that. I am not a mechanic but I consider myself very mechanically inclined. I just want to "set it and forget it". Like what I would do if I bought a new ZL1. I would just drive the damn thing.

Well I am going to turn my 91 Z28 into a brand new ZL1 with an new LSA/T56 combo and drive it like it is a new car. Not F with small issues and "tinker" with it. Just clean it.

I also really like the idea of a GM warranty on the motor/trans, all pre-engineered to last and get beat up. No guess work of any kind.

It will cost about x6 what a junkyard build will cost but the elimination of issues is worth the cost (to me, given my experience and life)

That being said I SUPER appreciate other opinions and points of view. I think people forget that not all of us have friends into this stuff, or dad's relatives or anyone else.

When you are flying solo it is worth not needing to touch stuff. More time to ride!