68 Camaro - LS7 & Art Morrison

[ProjectCamaro]

Hello Everyone -

New to posting on this forum but have been reading it for a while. I finally found a great deal on a 68 Camaro last year and I have been building it on paper ever since trying to figure out exactly what directioin I want. My goal is modern technology meets old (seems pretty common). I have gone back and forth on the suspension (Art Morrison, TCI, Speed Tech, Chassisworks) and the motor (LS3 or LS7). I feel like I am comfortable with what I have come up with but I need to hear what you guys have to say (Pros/Cons).

General goal is as follows:

Suspension:
1-Art Morrison GT Sport Front Clip
2-Art Morrison GT Sport Rear Clip (4 bar)
3-Art Morrison Subframe Connectors
4-DSE Tubs
5-DSE 4 point roll bar

Motor/Tranny
1-LS7 (GM Crate) - I will install an aftermarket CAM/Springs/Etc.
2-T56 tranny

Those are the basics for now. I would like to hear from all of you that have installed an LS7 or LS3 in the Art Morrison subframe. What problems you ran into with the oil pans and what you did to correct it. I will be doing all of the work myself so the more knowledge I have going into this the better.

I look forward to hearing from all of you.

Cameron

[sheck44]

Cameron, just don't forget about the LS7 'tax' ... it adds up big time
Oil pan conversion, head work etc ... Unless $$ is not an issue the LS7 will be thousands more than the LS3 ... ask me how I know

Cheers
Steve

[madmax]

Have you considered a stroked LS3? Not trying to talk you out of anything... food for thought

[Decline]

Other then the magic 427 fender badge I'm not sure a LS7 is worth it. What are your HP goals? I rode in Texas speed ls7 '69 once and it was fast but didn't feel like $17k. If I recall the guy said it dynod at like 560hp to the wheels.
I have an AME Camaro front clip with 350 sbc and using a mildon stock style pan with no problems. Headers that fit well were more of a problem. The old school hookers I had sat right on the lower control arm bushings. Rather then melt them I just bought the AME headers and ceramic coated them locally. Stainless would have been nice but the engine bay was tight and I was getting tired of "too much custom" problems.
One bit of advice from my recent build up experience... Things just working/bolting up is more the exception then the rule. Good luck out there

one more thing. The money you save From an LS7 could be used for an AME IRS which in my opinion would result in a better overall car setup. More handling and equal power from the LS3 is a win/win in my book

[ProjectCamaro]

Thanks for the replies guys. The LS7 looked good on paper but I agree with all of you on the $$$.

[Aficionado]

LS7 is a cool motor, but my stroked
LS3 416 dynoed at 635hp, not to mention the 525 horse crate LS3....just sayin'...

[Zoomin]

Now that people have talked you out of the LS7, I'll try my hand on the suspension side. Realistically, how do you intend to use this car? If you haven't so much as knocked a cone over yet, I'd submit you could save a ton of money by getting a nice setup from one of the forum sponsors, and growing the car as you get experience.