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You can get everything you want with an LS3, but it will cost quite a bit and probably cause some headaches along the way.... I guess you just need to think about the budget and how much of a project you are looking for, you can get a crate SBC swapped in a day and some people like that. LS is more of a journey.... if you are into that kind of thing like I am.
In terms of hacking the car up, I think the only thing I did for the engine that was necessary and isn't reversible was cutting a big hole in the top of the fuel tank for the pump module. Can avoid that by buying a new EFI ready tank for $$$. I also chopped and replaced a lot of the engine bay harness, but technically you could get the LS running without doing that. Mounting of fuse box and ECU have good solutions behind the front wheels, however I did drill 6 x 1/4" holes in the inner fenders for them .
A mild 383 doesnt need an Art Carr trans
That is a very mild cam you have if that bothers you youre not gonna like a mild LSx either
Have you considered Rhoads lifters? A cam that size once your oil warms up will idle nice and smooth. Some hate em but they flat out work.
Keep your existing motor drop a 700r in and go play.
Great engine, but the "rickety-rickety-rickety-rickety" idle about wore me out. I emailed Blueprint and asked them about different roller hydraulic options that would allow it to maintain the HP numbers but tame the idle lope and they recommended a whole different engine...their cast iron headed version. No thanks. And for now I'm in no mood to chase parts and machine work to build my own, so I suggested to Blueprint that I would buy the same engine and swap the cam for a hydraulic roller that was a little more user friendly. No recommendations from them. They actually said the cam was pretty mild, but if I recall they made a statement about how the cam profile in my '62 was designed to have a lope at idle.
So, it got me thinking. Maybe an LS version GM crate engine, fuel injection, etc. More power, etc. I'd like 450-500 hp. Am I opening a can of worms getting away from a small block Gen 1 version? I want to be able to use the factory air, factory power steering, ignition shielding, and other bolt-ons to keep it looking stock. I don't want to hack the car up, either. It's very original, and the engine I'll be pulling out is the engine that came in the car when it was new (300hp, 327). We believe it's never been apart.
I'm also looking to put an overdrive automatic transmission in it as I suggested in other threads. It's an original powerglide car.
Anyone have any comments?
Why don't you just amp up the original engine with a 350 h.p. cam, intake and carb. That should give you what you want.
Have you considered Rhoads lifters? A cam that size once your oil warms up will idle nice and smooth. Some hate em but they flat out work.
We've used Rhoads lifters as original equipment in the Viper V-10 since 1995, to calm the idle down and get it through the City portion of the EPA Emission Certification Cycle.
The engine seems to have pretty good power, or at least all of the advertised 300HP. The low gear in either the 700R4 or the 2004R will wake it up for city driving, but the larger issue is the 65-70 mph engine RPM.
The engine seems to have pretty good power, or at least all of the advertised 300HP. The low gear in either the 700R4 or the 2004R will wake it up for city driving, but the larger issue is the 65-70 mph engine RPM.
I would leave the engine alone and upgrade to an automatic OD trans. The car will feel like it gained 100 HP with a real first gear ratio, and will sip gas and idle along at modern freeway speeds. And best of all, it will still have its INTEGRITY.
I would start with the modern OD trans. I understand they are supposed to be a pretty simple bolt in. After that if you think you still need more power amp up the original engine with a 350 h.p. cam, intake and carb. That should give you what you want and it will look like a factory optional engine.
09-20-2017, 08:52 PM
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