440 LS7 build or 540 BB aluminum
12-23-2007, 01:57 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
440 LS7 build or 540 BB aluminum
Been pulling my hair out on what block to use for my 73 vert project,
I can't make up my mind .
440 ls7 motor with carb
t56 6 speed
or
540 Bigblock aluminum
TKO 600
440 more room under the hood, lightweight,cooling.
540 less room ,cooling? but more durable
Cost is about the same ,
Wanting over 650 hp.
I can't make up my mind .
440 ls7 motor with carb
t56 6 speed
or
540 Bigblock aluminum
TKO 600
440 more room under the hood, lightweight,cooling.
540 less room ,cooling? but more durable
Cost is about the same ,
Wanting over 650 hp.
some like new tecnology...I hate it...
12-23-2007, 02:42 PM
#3
Burning Brakes
Both great choices -- can't go wrong either way.
I'm partial to the big block myself.
I'm partial to the big block myself.
12-23-2007, 02:58 PM
#4
Race Director
If you go LS7 and have all that technology why not go with the FI. The 540 is going to fit better than the LS7. I like the 540 option myself. If it is a weekend bruiser the 540 is the way to go. If you are driving it across the country the LS7 with FI would be my choice. Either one is going to be a good choice. 
12-23-2007, 03:49 PM
#5
The carbed LS364, 440hp is only about $5k. Not a bad deal. I doubt you could get an assembled long block 540 for that. GM is coming out with a 520hp, 6.2l carbed LS motor some time next year. I''m waiting to see the price on it before I decide between it or the LS364.
Gary
Gary
12-23-2007, 08:13 PM
#6
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Do you guys think the LS7 would be more efficient than the 540?
The 440 LS longblock runs $10,500, thats no intake but has cam valvetrain,pushrods, Callies crank ,and rods 4.100 stroke x4.125 bore
cam would be around 250 range @ .050 ,11:2.1 comp.
The cnc PRC LS7 heads flow 390 cfm @ .700 lift
And would run on pump gas.
540 Aluminum runs $12,xxxx and up
I haven't messed with BB to much or LS motors.
The 440 LS longblock runs $10,500, thats no intake but has cam valvetrain,pushrods, Callies crank ,and rods 4.100 stroke x4.125 bore
cam would be around 250 range @ .050 ,11:2.1 comp.
The cnc PRC LS7 heads flow 390 cfm @ .700 lift
And would run on pump gas.
540 Aluminum runs $12,xxxx and up
I haven't messed with BB to much or LS motors.
12-23-2007, 08:19 PM
#8
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
If you go LS7 and have all that technology why not go with the FI. The 540 is going to fit better than the LS7. I like the 540 option myself. If it is a weekend bruiser the 540 is the way to go. If you are driving it across the country the LS7 with FI would be my choice. Either one is going to be a good choice.
Do you really think the 540 would fit better? I've heard the plug wires are a pain with headers.
12-23-2007, 09:29 PM
#9
Race Director
Nah not really. With all the LS motors going into older Corvettes there are a lot of parts available to put the LS motors in Vettes. Not a bolt in but it can be done fairly easily.
12-23-2007, 10:17 PM
#10
Race Director
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It's easy to grab all the plugs/wires on my 540....but there is no A/C or anything either.
650HP is a VERY mild 540....you can bust 700 without even sweating.
The LS-7 is an amazing motor.....but a good 540 will walk away from it all day long.
JIM
650HP is a VERY mild 540....you can bust 700 without even sweating.
The LS-7 is an amazing motor.....but a good 540 will walk away from it all day long.
JIM
12-24-2007, 01:38 AM
#11
Burning Brakes
12-24-2007, 01:38 AM
#12
Burning Brakes
12-24-2007, 01:43 AM
#13
Great thread as I have been in plan for an LS or BBC and am uncertain. I do see the benifit of having so many options in FI with the LS. I on the other hand love big blocks and have had a few in the past. They look cool, run strong 
and sound awesome.
Tuff Choises for the money.
run strong and sound awesome. Tuff Choises for the money.
12-24-2007, 01:52 AM
#14
Burning Brakes
Even with TH400 and 3.08 the torque is amazing if you do not run stock stall converter...I have ATI 3500 stall unit that works great, you can cruise strong between 1000-2000 rpm but when you hit the pedal even from stand still you have immediately 634ftlbs on board and it moves and is very predictable behaviour when not needing to play with rpms...
12-24-2007, 05:40 PM
#16
i agree with the 540. it is a basic drop in. the ls will require some fab work. i would also say if you go shortblock and put an aftermarket head on, to go with a 555 or 565 shortblock from whatever source. the price difference is usually very small!!
12-24-2007, 08:21 PM
#18
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
