need engine setup/build help
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 685
Likes: 61
From: Louisiana
need engine setup/build help
hey guys im kind of stuck on what i should do. should i keep the LS3 in the car & do cam, full exhaust(headers, catback), & supercharger; keeping the bottom end, heads, & cam stock. or would that have a risk of failing soon on the stock bottom end?
i want something reliable & not be outrageously expensive. would it be easier to pull the engine & have install forged bottom end parts? or if i am pulling it should i go ahead & bore it & make it into something like a 418ci or something similar?
OR should i just buy a forged shortblock from a vendor & do cam, supercharger, & full exhaust? & sell the original LS3 shortblock?
basically im asking what would be more reliable/cheaper/easier?
1. supercharger,cam,full exhaust on stock bottom end.
2. install forged bottom end on LS3 engine then do mods in #1.
3. buy forged shortblock(418 or 427ci) & do mods in #1.
i would appreciate your input. thanks in advance guys
i want something reliable & not be outrageously expensive. would it be easier to pull the engine & have install forged bottom end parts? or if i am pulling it should i go ahead & bore it & make it into something like a 418ci or something similar?
OR should i just buy a forged shortblock from a vendor & do cam, supercharger, & full exhaust? & sell the original LS3 shortblock?
basically im asking what would be more reliable/cheaper/easier?
1. supercharger,cam,full exhaust on stock bottom end.
2. install forged bottom end on LS3 engine then do mods in #1.
3. buy forged shortblock(418 or 427ci) & do mods in #1.
i would appreciate your input. thanks in advance guys
Speedy
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,095
Likes: 924
From: Tn
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
hey guys im kind of stuck on what i should do. should i keep the LS3 in the car & do cam, full exhaust(headers, catback), & supercharger; keeping the bottom end, heads, & cam stock. or would that have a risk of failing soon on the stock bottom end?
i want something reliable & not be outrageously expensive. would it be easier to pull the engine & have install forged bottom end parts? or if i am pulling it should i go ahead & bore it & make it into something like a 418ci or something similar?
OR should i just buy a forged shortblock from a vendor & do cam, supercharger, & full exhaust? & sell the original LS3 shortblock?
basically im asking what would be more reliable/cheaper/easier?
1. supercharger,cam,full exhaust on stock bottom end.
2. install forged bottom end on LS3 engine then do mods in #1.
3. buy forged shortblock(418 or 427ci) & do mods in #1.
i would appreciate your input. thanks in advance guys
i want something reliable & not be outrageously expensive. would it be easier to pull the engine & have install forged bottom end parts? or if i am pulling it should i go ahead & bore it & make it into something like a 418ci or something similar?
OR should i just buy a forged shortblock from a vendor & do cam, supercharger, & full exhaust? & sell the original LS3 shortblock?
basically im asking what would be more reliable/cheaper/easier?
1. supercharger,cam,full exhaust on stock bottom end.
2. install forged bottom end on LS3 engine then do mods in #1.
3. buy forged shortblock(418 or 427ci) & do mods in #1.
i would appreciate your input. thanks in advance guys
When my motor pops I will just build a forged ls2 and run 20lbs with better heads ( the stock ls3 heads are pretty stout, you may not benefit from swapping heads especially since you will have a sc forcing air)
When my motor goes I'm building a forged 402, just going to wait for a vendor to verbal good deal
Speedy
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,095
Likes: 924
From: Tn
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Any time, the bottom end is untouched, just changed the cam, pushrods, valve springs, clutch. Do you have a horse power number in mind? What type of driving will the car be used for?
I've had this setup since April and put 4k miles during the summer
I've had this setup since April and put 4k miles during the summer
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 685
Likes: 61
From: Louisiana
um, as far as a hp # i am wanting 600-650 rwhp. was going to do:
A&A V-3 Si supercharger kit
Meth injection
Vengeance Racing stage II cam (227/239 .617/.624 115+3)
American Racing long tubes 1 7/8"x3
3x3" Xpipe
B&B fusion exhaust
LS9X clutch
do you think that would get me at 600-650 rwhp?
Speedy
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,095
Likes: 924
From: Tn
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
alright, awsome!
um, as far as a hp # i am wanting 600-650 rwhp. was going to do:
A&A V-3 Si supercharger kit
Meth injection
Vengeance Racing stage II cam (227/239 .617/.624 115+3)
American Racing long tubes 1 7/8"x3
3x3" Xpipe
B&B fusion exhaust
LS9X clutch
do you think that would get me at 600-650 rwhp?
um, as far as a hp # i am wanting 600-650 rwhp. was going to do:
A&A V-3 Si supercharger kit
Meth injection
Vengeance Racing stage II cam (227/239 .617/.624 115+3)
American Racing long tubes 1 7/8"x3
3x3" Xpipe
B&B fusion exhaust
LS9X clutch
do you think that would get me at 600-650 rwhp?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 685
Likes: 61
From: Louisiana
That's a sick cam, is change valve springs especially with that much lift. You should easily get those numbers, powerlabs made 600 on that head unit alone, no meth or cam. With the meth just make sure you have a good tune equipment has used meth before, who do you have in mind?
Speedy
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,095
Likes: 924
From: Tn
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
yeah im going to change valve springs & pushrods. alright! glad to know i can get to those #'s, & i was going to use Ragin Racin since they are the closest place i know to me, i dont know if you are familiar with them. if there is another place you recommend please feel free. i live in Louisiana so not many places to choose from in-state haha
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 685
Likes: 61
From: Louisiana
haha yeah i bet they are ridiculous. thanks for taking the time to post/talk with me. and i will definately let you know how everything goes.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 2
From: Portland OR
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12
hey guys im kind of stuck on what i should do. should i keep the LS3 in the car & do cam, full exhaust(headers, catback), & supercharger; keeping the bottom end, heads, & cam stock. or would that have a risk of failing soon on the stock bottom end?
i want something reliable & not be outrageously expensive. would it be easier to pull the engine & have install forged bottom end parts? or if i am pulling it should i go ahead & bore it & make it into something like a 418ci or something similar?
OR should i just buy a forged shortblock from a vendor & do cam, supercharger, & full exhaust? & sell the original LS3 shortblock?
basically im asking what would be more reliable/cheaper/easier?
1. supercharger,cam,full exhaust on stock bottom end.
2. install forged bottom end on LS3 engine then do mods in #1.
3. buy forged shortblock(418 or 427ci) & do mods in #1.
i would appreciate your input. thanks in advance guys
i want something reliable & not be outrageously expensive. would it be easier to pull the engine & have install forged bottom end parts? or if i am pulling it should i go ahead & bore it & make it into something like a 418ci or something similar?
OR should i just buy a forged shortblock from a vendor & do cam, supercharger, & full exhaust? & sell the original LS3 shortblock?
basically im asking what would be more reliable/cheaper/easier?
1. supercharger,cam,full exhaust on stock bottom end.
2. install forged bottom end on LS3 engine then do mods in #1.
3. buy forged shortblock(418 or 427ci) & do mods in #1.
i would appreciate your input. thanks in advance guys
Supporting Vendor
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 18,136
Likes: 61
From: SCOTT LA
Give us a call. We have plenty of option to get you where you want to go. We have done several LS3's already. Without forging I usually stick to around 600rwhp on the LS3's. With Meth you can go a little more, but you know the risk. We have not had any failures on the stock LS3's at the 600rwhp mark with the Vette's or Camaros we have done.
Shawn
Shawn
Speedy
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,095
Likes: 924
From: Tn
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
procharger:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83bT4z7nALI
vortech
http://www.youtube.com/user/sambarros#p/u/4/lj4RDSYlhq4
my paxton 2200 (btw this is the sound you get to look forward to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zlwg8PYOF1g
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 685
Likes: 61
From: Louisiana
man that damn procharger is a little bit too loud haha
i like the vortech sound. thats what im going to go with from A&A.
i have also been thinking, just as a precaution & since im not loaded and couldnt afford to rebuild again, i might just go ahead and get a forged shortblock. maybe a 376 or 418 ls3 stroker. what would you guys recommend.
i like the vortech sound. thats what im going to go with from A&A.
i have also been thinking, just as a precaution & since im not loaded and couldnt afford to rebuild again, i might just go ahead and get a forged shortblock. maybe a 376 or 418 ls3 stroker. what would you guys recommend.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 685
Likes: 61
From: Louisiana
i just checked out some prices from Scoggin Dickey & Texas Speed, the LS3 413, 418, & 427 forged stroker shortblocks are $4500-$5200. man i have seen used LS7s cheaper than that.
how much could i make back by selling the stock ls3 shortblock to make up for some of the cost of the forged shortblock?
how much could i make back by selling the stock ls3 shortblock to make up for some of the cost of the forged shortblock?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,167
Likes: 11
From: Powell TN
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
You need to post this in the FI/Nitrous section. "Mr.Big" ran a stock bottom end LS2 with 804 rwhp for 5 years before forging (making 1004 rwhp now). He ran it hard too. Many 1/4 miles and some full miles. Send him a PM.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/priv...=newpm&u=26067
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/priv...=newpm&u=26067
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 685
Likes: 61
From: Louisiana
You need to post this in the FI/Nitrous section. "Mr.Big" ran a stock bottom end LS2 with 804 rwhp for 5 years before forging (making 1004 rwhp now). He ran it hard too. Many 1/4 miles and some full miles. Send him a PM.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/priv...=newpm&u=26067
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/priv...=newpm&u=26067
