Cantevendrive75

I just grenaded my LS7 (2007 Z06) on the track this weekend and am thinking of swapping in a LS376/525HP for 1/2 the money of an LS7.

With all the $$$ to be saved a guy can put a proper dry sump system on the LS3 (Daily, ARE, etc) and still have 3 or 4 thousand left over.

Has anyone done this before?


KV

RichieRichZ06

We have installed a couple of those engines into C5 track cars and they've worked out great. We haven't installed any in place of an LS7.

subfloor@centurytrans

Define "grenaded".

If you only just dropped a valve but didn't suffer catastrophic damage (i.e. a big ol' hole in the side of the block) it could likely be rebuilt.

Undy

Put a LS3 in if you feel like losing $10K+ off any future resale value.

z0sicktanner

I'm sure it was a valve thats about all that ever takes out the ls7

Cantevendrive75

There is alot of rabbit holes we can go down on this one... but assuming there is a big ole hole in the block and a guy didn't care about resale value... has anyone transplanted an LS3 into a C6 Z06?

Basically comes down to this. The car gets tracked a lot... if I am looking at replacing a motor every year... I would rather that motor be $7500 not $15,000

Thoughts?

erikszr1

what resale.....lol

erikszr1

this has crossed my mind as an alternative. is that replacement motor $7500?

'06 Quicksilver Z06

I haven't, but wishing you the best of luck.

Notice in your signature you mention that you had that GT19 Lingenfelter package in it.

How long ago did you have it installed?

http://www.corvettenewsblog.com/2011...-z06-corvette/

http://www.lingenfelter.com/mm5/merc...2#.UWyJH0JOETM

z0sicktanner

ls3 is a great engine with few issues, same can be said about the ls7 just need to address the head issue, problem sovled. the bottom end of the ls7 is a good one

z0sicktanner

I haven't done this but I'm putting an ls7 heads cam in an ls3 08 vette today well i started it today

Cantevendrive75

LS376/525HP is about $7500 but is a wet sump motor. Add a "proper" dry sump system from Dailey, ARE, Aviaid for about $2000 and your up to $9500-$10,000. But the expendable part (crate motor) is $7500.

My LS7 GT19 Lingenfelter package c/w increased capacity dry sump tank was installed about 15 track hours ago. Made great power (517HP at the tires). Nothing is impossible but I wouldn't say it had much if anything to do with the engine mods though.... it may just be a broken "factory" valve issue... I will find out soon enough. In the mean time just trying to come up with my plan A, B & C.

I cant be the only one thinking of this... anyone done the LS7 to LS3 swap?

GMuffley

If you total the cost of replacing a motor every year, wouldn't it be cheaper to have a purpose build engine with forged internals designed to live under track conditions?

93Polo

If you're really that scared of the LS7 blow blowing up, I'd look into building a 427 with a sleeved block (any Gen 4 aluminum block including a 5.3) and some cathedral port heads such as AFR or TFS.

A LS3 would take a big resale hit. As mentioned above I'd go with an aftermarket dry sump on any car seeing serious track time.

Cantevendrive75

My rational behind the $7,500 motor vs. the $30,000 race prepped motor is this.

I have seen people blow $30,000 race prepped motors in 15 or less track hours and promptly seen the builders of those motors "not" stand behind their work... so I figure $30,000 is 4-8 years worth of GM crate motors. I doubt a $30,000 race prepped motor would make it 4-8 years.

KV

MTPZ06

As far as I'm concerned, you're free to blow up any motor you see fit in your car.

Cantevendrive75

Thanx... I think

2k Cobra

I considered the LS3 too. My car lost so much resale $ 10K wouldn't matter much.

Couldn't you put the Grand Sport LS3 with dry sump in the zo6 and be happy???? I bet you could probably go around left turns too.

Cantevendrive75

Depending on ease of swap, replacement cost of motor, etc... ubet!

JwT

Summit Racing has a drop in replacement for about the same price. An LS3 stroked to 427 ci putting out over 600 hp. Just a thought if your going this way. I think it may be dry sump but I'm not sure.