New LSX Shortblock... advice?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 208
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New LSX Shortblock... advice?
Hey everyone, i am purchasing a 99 WS6 6 spd that needs a motor. I REALLY want around 400hp before power adders. How does this package from Schwankes Shortblocks sound:
· GM 5.3L Truck Cast Iron Block (Bore 3.903)
· 3.622” Stroke GM Crankshaft
· 6.098 LS1 Connecting Rods
· Forged Flat Top Pistons
· 1.5mm Power Pack Ring Set
· ACL Rod & Main Bearings
· ARP Rod Bolts
· Digitally Balanced Assembly
· Fully Assembled & Blue Printed
I was thinking of going with an LS6 top end with perhaps a different cam. Would this be a good setup for a street car, that could potentially handle some boost or juice?
I figured the iron block and the forged pistons would absolutely lend themselves to a bit more oomph down the road, but i really want 400hp without.
Thanks fellers.
· GM 5.3L Truck Cast Iron Block (Bore 3.903)
· 3.622” Stroke GM Crankshaft
· 6.098 LS1 Connecting Rods
· Forged Flat Top Pistons
· 1.5mm Power Pack Ring Set
· ACL Rod & Main Bearings
· ARP Rod Bolts
· Digitally Balanced Assembly
· Fully Assembled & Blue Printed
I was thinking of going with an LS6 top end with perhaps a different cam. Would this be a good setup for a street car, that could potentially handle some boost or juice?
I figured the iron block and the forged pistons would absolutely lend themselves to a bit more oomph down the road, but i really want 400hp without.
Thanks fellers.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,558
Likes: 2
From: Cape Coral FL
Put an LS6 top end on this and you'll be north of 400hp imho. Lingenfelter short block and you'll be in good shape to put your choice of power adder on.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 491
Likes: 2
From: Arlington Hts. IL
Thats a 346.50 ci., look in to the world products warhawks. they will work on that bore. Pick a good cam and well over 400hp is in reach, and Turbo have you ever looked for a 6.0 or a 6.2? And when you find them the price is high and the ls2 or 3 is stupid high for a used engine.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 208
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The price for this set up is $1699. really good value for the dollar. That lingenfelter shortblock is really nice, but lots more money. Paying for the name i guess. Blue63cp is right, those motors are still really in demand and pricey. Not too many years ago 346ci was in all the Vettes lol.
Is that a good bottom end for nitrous or in a turbo application?
Is that a good bottom end for nitrous or in a turbo application?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 491
Likes: 2
From: Arlington Hts. IL
The iron block is way stronger than the aluminium,Its the same 6 bolt main as all ls- engines. Your cr is ok for nitrous but to high for a turbo. Go slow with the mods ,good heads and cam will scare the begeepers out of you. By the way the block is only 88 lbs more than the ls1-2-3.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 208
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i figured the cr was too high in a boosted application, nitrous was more what i was interested in anyway. Never used it, this is a budget toy for a guy with a budding family lol. What heads/cam would you suggest? We found a really nice set of LS6 heads that i thought would be a nice mild set up, but they are still pricey. Any advice? Streetability is a huge factor for me, as i would like my wife to be able to drive the car as well. M6 btw.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 946
Likes: 2
Thats a 346.50 ci., look in to the world products warhawks. they will work on that bore. Pick a good cam and well over 400hp is in reach, and Turbo have you ever looked for a 6.0 or a 6.2? And when you find them the price is high and the ls2 or 3 is stupid high for a used engine.
I have an LS2 and an LQ9 block in my garage
.Here's a *complete* LQ4 for $1800 (IB-owned site) http://www.performancetrucks.net/for...&highlight=LQ4
High mile LQ4 long block - $800
http://www.performancetrucks.net/for...&highlight=LQ4
That took under 3 minutes to find. There are 4 LQ4s on the auction site for $700-1200.
These blocks are plentiful.
LQ9s and LS2s take more work but are findable with a little patience. I've seen LQ9 short blocks sell for $700 and long blocks for $1300.
LS3s, I agree.
Last edited by TurboBerserker; Jun 14, 2009 at 10:34 PM.
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 491
Likes: 2
From: Arlington Hts. IL
All genIII/IV parts are expensive,complete heads will run $1800 to 3K. Cams cost more, and then rockers, stock to aftermarket are more costly than stamped steel. Streetability--ouch, that is subjective everyone is different. Sounds like you picked up 'the free cat' and it's clawing at your wallet. Do you have a clutch?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 208
Likes: 0
A clutch is in the works as well, currently it's a newer stocker ls1. the current owner (and good friend of mine) just informed me that he found a good deal on a set of LS2 heads and an LS6 cam. He also bought some hardened pushrods for a smokign deal. We have about $3500 to work with for everything.
That swankes combo with a set of LS2 heads and an LS6 cam should run about 365ish crank hp? or am i off base? with an LS6 intake maybe a bit more. Then a 125 shot puts me close to the 500hp threshold. Which would make a nice cruiser and something i could take on trips without worrying about too much. Or am i off base? The car is in California, i am in Canada. IF i fly down there and decide i don't want it, he wants to make sure it's still smoggable if he keeps it.
That swankes combo with a set of LS2 heads and an LS6 cam should run about 365ish crank hp? or am i off base? with an LS6 intake maybe a bit more. Then a 125 shot puts me close to the 500hp threshold. Which would make a nice cruiser and something i could take on trips without worrying about too much. Or am i off base? The car is in California, i am in Canada. IF i fly down there and decide i don't want it, he wants to make sure it's still smoggable if he keeps it.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 491
Likes: 2
From: Arlington Hts. IL
turbo a drop in block should be under 60,000 miles. The first on your list was a deal, but the pm was sent in 40min all the others I looked at were cores 200 to 300 bucks at most. check the yards and see what they want for a low mi. 6.0/6.2 with ECM/TB/and acc if its a ls1/2/3 they think its gold. Just what I've been seeing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 946
Likes: 2
turbo a drop in block should be under 60,000 miles. The first on your list was a deal, but the pm was sent in 40min all the others I looked at were cores 200 to 300 bucks at most. check the yards and see what they want for a low mi. 6.0/6.2 with ECM/TB/and acc if its a ls1/2/3 they think its gold. Just what I've been seeing.
Parts are the same between the 5.3 and the rest of the genIIIs -- $1700 for a 5.3L is relatively very expensive per HP -- you can buy stock 5.3 / 4.8 short blocks on the truck site all day long for < $500. A set of stock sizes forged flattops with rings should run around $400-600. On that note, a high mile LQ4 short block can easily be rebuilt for under $1000, and that brings you home at the same price as the 5.3, but with more potential, IMO. Then, again, I'd do the rebuilding myself which save some green, but costs time, and if the OP doesn't want to spend the time doing that, I can see where he's coming from.
You can buy a professionally built 370 (.030 6.0) with forged wiesco flattops, stock crank, callies rods and arp fasteners all around for $3300ish by the big Speed and Performance shop in Texas.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
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Thanks guys. I think we're gonna go with that 5.3 shortblock from Scwankes, and an LS6 top end. This will get me where i want to be power wise and the wife can still drive it. Toss in the juice for those special occasions and i'll have a great toy for well under 10k.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 208
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I came across this today. Emailed about it. This would be a very fun motor to put into the car:
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/lsx-pa...block-f-s.html
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/lsx-pa...block-f-s.html
