What sort of "low buck" LSx build would you like???

[Steve1968LS2]

Spinning off from that other thread.. thoughts?

A 5.3 truck engine build?

SUPER low buck or just lower buck? stroker?

Junkyard LS1 rebuild, maybe a stroker?

What price for what horsepower would be interesting? (and possible)

I was thinking that a LS1 from say a 01 or 02 f-body would be cool.. already has the LS6 intake. Work over the heads, good cam and maybe a stroker kit if one can be found that worked in the budget.

[Vegas69]

How about you let a few builders compete to see who can build the most horsepower per $ using any of the LSX motors.

or

Have a LSX/Big Block shootout using the same car and cubic inches. Which one has the best quarter mile time. Build them as wild as they like:D

You can paypal me at :rofl:

[JayR]

I'm really surprised how many guys don't know about the L92 heads and L76 intake that you can get so cheap right over the counter. Not sure if you can put those on a truck motor but people should know about that stuff. Heads and intake for under a grand!!

If you could make a junkyard 5.3, 6.0 or 6.2 liter truck motor scream for low money, you would open a lot of eyes. The hardcore LS1Tech guys know all about L92/L76 upgrade but many people putting them in hot rods have no idea about it.

I'm also more interested in efi than carbs FWIW

[almcbri]

I think a budget 5.3 carb engine would be interesting. The engines are defintely cheap and I think it would make a great article to see what kind of numbers they could throw down with a few upgrades.

[youthpastor]

:D I think a budget 5.3 carb engine would be interesting. The engines are defintely cheap and I think it would make a great article to see what kind of numbers they could throw down with a few upgrades.

yep, 5.3 take out, cam and some mild work, carb or EFI into something like a clean 72 Nova...they are still cheap if you are patient, if not any year G-body. -Chris..

could be a 12 seconds for 5k type of heading.

I am doing a 6.0 on the cheap in a 68 Camaro if you are interested in a build article, I have all the reciepts, been internet shopping- Chris

[Reckley]

I like the Junkyard LS1 idea.

Mike

[trapin]

A true budget build would involve the 5.3 liter or 6.0 liter truck engines.

LS1's are still pretty pricey.

[rocketman]

There's acouple bad ass 5.3 trucks running around here.

[Bulldog68]

I definitely like the idea of a LS pullout (or crate, if it can be purchased cheap enough), which should be getting cheaper with the release of the more recent LS2 and LS3s. Set a goal of making power near that of the LS364/440 for less than what that crate costs (about $5k).

My preference for the story would be to see a simple carb'd setup on a common (cheaper) LS engine to display the ease of installation. Throw it in an old Nova, Camaro, or Chevelle and show the conversion pieces that would be needed to get it working. Only cover the minimum required parts for simplicity and low cost. Don't complicate the story with head mods and cams until the basic install is done, the car runs, and a baseline is established. A follow-up story could cover upgrades to the existing package, including bolt-ons such as heads, a new intake, new coil packs, or whatever has been found to be most effective on a basic LS engine.

The main point here is to keep the initial cost of the basic conversion low, establishing interest for the hesitant enthusiasts who don't know how easy it is to replace that old SBC with a more modern, reliable, better-performing LS engine. After that's established, efforts towards more power (on a budget) could be addressed in the second part of the buildup.

[Garage Dog 65]

I agree on the lower buck build with the L92 heads, cam, better intake, larger throttle body and headers (maybe stroker info) and a tune. That's what I'm looking for on my Porsche project. I'd like 400 - 450 RWHP with just the above stuff. Say 3,000 dollars ?? (total WAG) I got my engine as a junkyard pull from a 10K mile vette for $700 - wasn't sure that was a good price. Maybe a ref table of price samples from a few of the web sites that specifically sell junk yard motors (ebay, craigs list, others)

I had also wondered why someone had not done an engine masters series on the Lsx stuff. There are alot of people working them up. Most power from least dollars, etc. Iron block stuff is ok with me - it still relates.

And, (since we're wishing here) I'd like to see someone really explain the EFI signals and controls. I've read several of the available LS books out there and they just don't get into these topic much. Maybe there is a GM training booklet out there that would help demistify that whole deal for the guys scared of it.

Jim

PS, BullDog - I like your though on the baseline deal - then add the other stuff next month. Great Idea. Thx !

[deuce_454]

id like to see an article on any of the junkyard available engines, 5.3 ls1 or 6.0 that made big numbers on small money... there are so many allready written showcasing afr heads or brand-x cam...

also be sure to include the little secrets on how to modify OEM wiring, delete VATS+cat's and break down how the money is spent best..

[Rick Dorion]

And include a reasonabley priced fuel system upgrade.

[JayR]

What about the very cheapest way to make 450-500 HP including the options you find while shopping and then follow someone like Tom Nelson or even Scott's TT in the Camaro through a big hp build including dyno results for both, maybe even get them in a car and test it in the real world and report on drivability, etc.

I like Chris (YouthPastor)'s ideas too but I think you can get one of these motors to make a 3000 pound car go 12s for half of $5000 or less and I think people would like to see how easy and cheap it can be done but then show the other side of the fence with an outer limits LSX.

People really need to know about the L92/L76 stuff and which motors it works on and what needs to go with it and what kind of hp numbers can be expected. Biggest bang for the buck I know of!

Can you tell how geeked up we are for this article?

[Diognes56]

I'm really surprised how many guys don't know about the L92 heads and L76 intake that you can get so cheap right over the counter. Not sure if you can put those on a truck motor but people should know about that stuff. Heads and intake for under a grand!!

If you could make a junkyard 5.3, 6.0 or 6.2 liter truck motor scream for low money, you would open a lot of eyes. The hardcore LS1Tech guys know all about L92/L76 upgrade but many people putting them in hot rods have no idea about it.

I'm also more interested in efi than carbs FWIW

Just so everybody is aware, the L92 heads will not fit on a stock 5.3L. They will only fit on blocks with a 4 inch bore and up (6.0L and up), the valves will not clear on the smaller bores.

David

[JayR]

Just so everybody is aware, the L92 heads will not fit on a stock 5.3L. They will only fit on blocks with a 4 inch bore and up (6.0L and up), the valves will not clear on the smaller bores.

David

Thanks David. Good to know!

[pro-touring nova]

do the 5.3 low dollor build up, or may be 4.8, i am doing a 4.8 in a 1979 nova

[Jr]

Here is a quick list:
5.3 iron block bored out to take forged 5.7L goodies
6.0L heads
carb setup or ls6
blower cam
blower

Dyno test with 1 3/4 vs 1 7/8 headers
dyno test ls6 intake vs carb intake
Keep everything on a budget

[radrambler]

my opinion

#1 5.3 pull out from a truck base line it with the edebrock rpm setup.no mods
then throw a set of heads on it and cam.get the most you can out of the right grind of cam and tuning

#2 6.0 truck pullout base it with the edelbrock setup....then throw the book at it....no blowers ,just stuff that the average guy would buy and put on...im sure most would be shocked at the output....

i have found 5.3 engines for 250-300. and 6.0 for 7-900.....true low dollar start.

radrambler

[Bad94]

How about taking a 4.8L and seeing what you can get out of it.

[skatinjay27]

im with ya jason!!! my friend just had a iron block 408 lsx built with l92s and that think is a beats!!! its in his 4th gen AUTO with a 4k stall and put down 484 rwhp and near 500 tq all motor...

[CRCRFT78]

All of these are great ideas & comments, but I would be interested in a budget build and swap that involves a smog required vehicle. Its easy to build & swap it into something that has no smog requirements. Building it for a vehicle requiring a smog is a whole other ballgame. Some info on how to make this a legal swap would help. I definately have a donor/test car if you need one, just take your pick :unibrow:

[CRCRFT78]

Bump!!!!

[bmxmon]

I would say a 5.3L buildup, since car craft already did a 6.0L.

[Fastbowtie]

I think an LS2 6.0L 402, 408 vs. a 406 SBC shootout would be interesting. Using the cheapest parts available on both engines (When I say cheap I mean cost effective). Use the L92's for the LS2 and a comparable head for the SBC. You would have to use an Iron block for LS2 to keep it fair. The price of the aluminum block for the SBC would be way to cost prohibitive. Carb to Carb set ups. And of course you would have to include the cost to completely convert to the LS motor. You would have to get at least 540 HP out of both of them for the article to be interesting.

[Rob07002]

500hp for $5000. Now that would be interesting.

The only problem with LSX motors is the added cost of fuel sys, pcm, headers, etc to make the swap.

[Steve1968LS2]

500hp for $5000. Now that would be interesting.

The only problem with LSX motors is the added cost of fuel sys, pcm, headers, etc to make the swap.

Well you have to buy headers for any engine.. and you generally have to upgrade the fuel system just a bit.

I'm thinking 5.3L with a better GM intake, ported factory heads and a good cam.

For electronics a modified factory harness. For fuel we could mod a tank and run the low-buck 'Vette reg/filter deal. Return back by the tank.

Would also run GM pullies (f-body?)... hmmm..

[Young Gun]

i personally think that a super budget build/ rebuild would be awsome