454 LS-7 questions??
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 379
Likes: 4
From: Colorado Springs, CO
454 LS-7 questions??
I did some searching on the web for info and have found that this motor never officially made it into production. I have found a probate settlement Vette that has a supposed transplanted LS7 underhood. Besides the CZL engine code, are there others ways to spot these motors? Are they still available as a crate motor? Any other tips on what to be on the lookout for?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
I can't locate the magazine at this time. There was a special issue done on Corvettes about 1990 or 1991. This issue had a complete breakdown of every mechanical component with part number that made up the fabled 1970 LS-7 engine. I believe Roger Huntington wrote the article or Wayne Scraba did. It was a special issue by Hot Rod magazine publishing.
This article was fantastic with every component listed and needed to complete an engine!!!!!!!!!!11
This article was fantastic with every component listed and needed to complete an engine!!!!!!!!!!11
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 18,126
Likes: 174
From: WI
The LS-7 was available in a crate "over the counter" #3965774 I bought one and put it in a 67 roadster. I still have the GM parts list somewhere.
...redvetracr
PS: It was a long time ago BUT I remember it being like $850.
...redvetracr
PS: It was a long time ago BUT I remember it being like $850.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 379
Likes: 4
From: Colorado Springs, CO
Originally Posted by redvetracr
The LS-7 was available in a crate "over the counter" #3965774 I bought one and put it in a 67 roadster. I still have the GM parts list somewhere.
...redvetracr
PS: It was a long time ago BUT I remember it being like $850.
...redvetracr
PS: It was a long time ago BUT I remember it being like $850.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Part number 3965774 is correct. Only available as a over the counter service package engine out of productionby about 15 years. You will know if it has one by jumping on the gas. It should raddle like hell with it`s 12.25 compression unless it`s racing fuel or Av gas . I paid $2500.00 for one in 1988 and got another NOS off E bay a few months ago for 4 g`s. $850.00 in the early 1970`s is probably correct too as it came as a semi striped long block without intake, waterpump, exhaust, clutch, flywheel, plugs and distributor. If you like real L88 performance this is about as good as it gets but with out the aluminum heads. Box factory stock you can expect low 11`s and 120 mph+. One bitchen engine, nearly unbeatable by any thing on the track or street on motor alone with close to 600 honest HP available with this engine. It`s awsome, I know. 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 379
Likes: 4
From: Colorado Springs, CO
The engine currently resides in a '67 BB coupe. The car had a full tilt Guldstrand suspension put in close to 15 years ago, and the extensive buildup was supposedly featured in Super Chevy magazine in '90 or '91.
Sounds like this thing could go like hell, and corner like it's on rails to boot
The big question though.... is it worth $50K set up as it is??
Sounds like this thing could go like hell, and corner like it's on rails to boot
The big question though.... is it worth $50K set up as it is??
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
From: Nice Lake Ontario
Ls-7
My bud had an LS-7 in a 69 Pearl white vette in mid 70s. He mixed av fuel & high test to run her. It would go like a 
. In fact, at Deseroto it ran 11.87s with cheater slicks, 410 gears & 4sp, thru the mufflers! Beat a 440 6pack Cuda that just won a street class in a grudge match afterwards 
I can still remember the brutal 12.5 popping as it idled thru the mufflers!
I can also remember pulling my feet back away from the firewall as he shifted it at over 7000rpm
. In fact, at Deseroto it ran 11.87s with cheater slicks, 410 gears & 4sp, thru the mufflers! Beat a 440 6pack Cuda that just won a street class in a grudge match afterwards I can still remember the brutal 12.5 popping as it idled thru the mufflers!
I can also remember pulling my feet back away from the firewall as he shifted it at over 7000rpm
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,604
Likes: 839
From: PA
LS-7 - Production or OTC?
There were actually two different versions of the LS-7... One was the engine intended as an RPO for the 1970 Corvette, the other was a service part delivered as a long block (part number 3965774 as several people have correctly pointed out).
They are very different from one another... Which one are you interested in?
Regards,
They are very different from one another... Which one are you interested in?
Regards,
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
Twist of Fate:
3963512 is the casting # for the 454 block for 1970 & 1971. This casting # block with 4 bolt main bearing caps was the foundation for the 2 versions of the LS-6 in '70 & '71.
Very late built '69 corvettes have been reported to use this block also. This casting # denotes that the bottom of the cylinder bores were notched for clearance, due to the longer stroke of the 454 crankshaft.
3963512 is the casting # for the 454 block for 1970 & 1971. This casting # block with 4 bolt main bearing caps was the foundation for the 2 versions of the LS-6 in '70 & '71.
Very late built '69 corvettes have been reported to use this block also. This casting # denotes that the bottom of the cylinder bores were notched for clearance, due to the longer stroke of the 454 crankshaft.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,152
Likes: 33
From: Folsom Ca
Originally Posted by sxr6
My bud had an LS-7 in a 69 Pearl white vette in mid 70s. He mixed av fuel & high test to run her. It would go like a . In fact, at Deseroto it ran 11.87s with cheater slicks, 410 gears & 4sp, thru the mufflers! Beat a 440 6pack Cuda that just won a street class in a grudge match afterwards
I can still remember the brutal 12.5 popping as it idled thru the mufflers!
I can also remember pulling my feet back away from the firewall as he shifted it at over 7000rpm
. In fact, at Deseroto it ran 11.87s with cheater slicks, 410 gears & 4sp, thru the mufflers! Beat a 440 6pack Cuda that just won a street class in a grudge match afterwards I can still remember the brutal 12.5 popping as it idled thru the mufflers!
I can also remember pulling my feet back away from the firewall as he shifted it at over 7000rpm
Legendary type stuff right there. 
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 379
Likes: 4
From: Colorado Springs, CO
I heard back from the owner- he's a Mopar guy so not sure if he really knew what he was looking for, but he gave me what he believes to be the casting #14015945. I looked on the Mortec site and it wasn't listed(although a 454 with 14015445 was), and I can't remember the site that allows you put put in a casting # and it performs the search?? Any clues?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 6
From: Nevada City California
Twist of Fate:
I found the magazine that has the LS-7 article, it's 5 pages in length, includes all the part #s for the LS-7 engine. This article was written by Wayne Scraba and is titled Corvette, it's part of the CAR CRAFT PERFORMANCE SERIES, Vol 4, No 3. Published in 1987.
I found the magazine that has the LS-7 article, it's 5 pages in length, includes all the part #s for the LS-7 engine. This article was written by Wayne Scraba and is titled Corvette, it's part of the CAR CRAFT PERFORMANCE SERIES, Vol 4, No 3. Published in 1987.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,608
Likes: 3
From: Canberra AUSTRALIA
St. Jude Donor '05-'06
Originally Posted by early shark
Twist of Fate:
I found the magazine that has the LS-7 article, it's 5 pages in length, includes all the part #s for the LS-7 engine. This article was written by Wayne Scraba and is titled Corvette, it's part of the CAR CRAFT PERFORMANCE SERIES, Vol 4, No 3. Published in 1987.
I found the magazine that has the LS-7 article, it's 5 pages in length, includes all the part #s for the LS-7 engine. This article was written by Wayne Scraba and is titled Corvette, it's part of the CAR CRAFT PERFORMANCE SERIES, Vol 4, No 3. Published in 1987.
I would love a copy of that.
Cheers,
Pete
