If you care about reliability now: new LS3 crate engine, no mods.

If you crave more power: salvage recent production LS7 from a wreck, complete with dry sump setup.

To me, a modified engine belongs only in a car that you don't need, and can afford to replace the engine at any time.

 

For me, it would be #2.
Do any of these come with a warranty?

 

Mine came with a 12 month warranty. Parts and labor.

 

30k engine that has been modified with CAM and some forged pistons ? Are you kidding me HELL NO....means someone installed them and that means it is unreliable ....only person you can rely on is YOU. For essentially 900 bucks more you get a brand new LS3 instead...???? .NO BRAINER. GET THE LS3 new engine....

 

Option LS3.

 

Unless you have the valve train worked on first, they are the farthest thing from bullet proof do a search and you will find plenty of blown LS7 engines due to valve train issues that still dont have a 100% proven cure...I would stick with the proven over time bullet proof engine of the LS3.

 

At age 29, I could swap engines in 2-3 hours. By age 49 it took 2-3 days. At age 69 it took 8 weeks. There were many days I didn't even want to look at it, because it had hurt me the day before.
I just spent 3 days last week to do a thorough cleaning plus claybar etc.
Getting old is why the best thing to exercise is caution

To the OP: Take option 2. You'll never regret it.

 

I'd go with Option 4 for just a little more:

TSP 376 CID 565 HP LS3 Turn-Key Package
base price $11,374.99
item# 25-TSP376TK565





https://www.texas-speed.com/p-4307-t...y-package.aspx

Texas Speed & Performance's turn-key engine packages are your solution for powerful, durable, and trouble-free late-model LSx power plants for your muscle car or hot rod! Each package is precision machined with state-of-the-art CNC equipment that allow for the strictest of tolerances, and every TSP engine is hand-assembled by experts that deal ONLY with LSx-based engines! All of our engine machining and assembly, as well as our cylinder head production, is in-house and NOT sourced out. All components in our engines are brand new parts, including the block, so you are not buying an engine that uses any remanufactured items! We are the only LSx-based company that digitizes and blueprints every engine block on a CNC machine to the factory GM specifications! Our turn-key packages are designed to provide our customers with a true drop-in engine that is ready to run! These are not stock crate engines that have been slightly modified. These are hand-built engines that have received the care and attention that you should expect when purchasing an engine! Our engines are built for strength, durability, and power, so your new TSP turn-key engine is ready for whatever you can throw at it!

 

Well came back no water damage, threw a rod and tore it up pretty good (water damage was wishful thinking). After deliberation I went with option 2. Stock LS3 and I'll have the cam put on at the same time, going with a 227/239. Wish I had more money to go for a bigger set up but think I'll be happy with my choice....for now!

 

Am I the only one here who noticed on your OP that #2 included "a cam"?

Option2: 0 mile ls3 with cam, $9900 installed

My previous posts here and here were based on #2 NOT being stock -- as I noted in both posts.

So is #2 stock or does it already have a cam?

 

No, Bruze, we noticed that he didn't say he was going to put an all-stock LS3 engine in his car as choice #2. At least, Gearhead Jim, me and you did, too. The fact is, he wants power and is willing to pay for it---even with a new crate engine that, out-the-door, will no longer have any warranty with the cam added (am I wrong in that? someone correct me.).

So, if it goes out for whatever reason in 5K miles, or 80K miles, he is ready to pay the price for it. The other choices are potentially more problematic to begin with since they are NOT beginning with a new crate engine but someone else's "problem," or not---but who knows when you buy anything used?

Risk vs. reward, his reward being more power, and the risk being, for how long?

 

I understand your feelings, but also remember that stock in this case is 30 HP more than you had stock, before. Plus, it is a stouter engine.
Go with the ls3.

 

New LS3 is a great engine. The other options all depend on how good the mechanic was.

 

A good reply.
A friend has a 2008 with exhaust mods and a different cam. Two weeks ago he was doing a "fun run" through an autocross course, when witnesses said his engine suddenly sounded sick. He limped back to the pit area and shut down, the engine became slightly incontinent (in other words, it puked some oil onto the ground), and he came home in a borrowed trailer.

A few days later, I saw the car up on a rack. There was a quarter-size hole in the side of the block from a broken rod, and they found piston rings up in the intake system. It looks like the rod broke and everything went to pieces, literally, from there.

So he's out the value of the original engine, plus the cost of the mods, plus the cost of a new engine and no credit for his old core.

Some people will take that kind of gamble and be ok, or not care very much if they lose. For me, my stock 436 hp is more than the Z06 of just a few years ago. I'm ok with that.

 

Your choice would make a lot of sense for me if I were in your place.