Best LS to supercharge on a budget?

[Larry Callahan]

Is there a combination of a budget takeout LS motor that would accept a budget supercharger?

I assume not but it can't hurt to ask.

I am kicking around the idea of a budget LS motor for the '55 Bel Air and later down the road supercharging it.

Is there a LS engine that would accept a supercharger from something that maybe has been pulled to replace it with the latest and greatest? For example I hear there may be a new supercharger that replaces the factory LSA supercharger? I could see people replacing the stock LSA supercharger and selling them?

Thoughts?

[btmatt]

Sloppy Mechanics raves on the LY6 truck motor

[68Formula]

LY6 has the matching, higher flowing ports (so no rectangle to cathedral port adapter needed). Just do a VVT delete and pick a good positive-displacement compatible camshaft with about .600" lift and matching valvetrain upgrades (springs and rockers).

I'd also update to LS9 head gaskets.

[Larry Callahan]

Any chance there is an all aluminum version without VVT that an LSA supercharger would drop onto at a later date? I'm trying not to shoot myself in the foot in the future.

[68Formula]

Any chance there is an all aluminum version without VVT that an LSA supercharger would drop onto at a later date? I'm trying not to shoot myself in the foot in the future.

LS3. But @ 10.7:1 compression, you'd have a fun time keeping donation at bay with a blower.

[rentedmule]

The L76 from the Pontiac G8 is lower compression than the LS3 but has the same heads. Still need to do a DOD delete but it will accept an LSA.

[Larry Callahan]

It's crazy how many options there are. Some of them are not crazy expensive.

I think I may just ending up putting a LQ4 and a 4L80 for now and then maybe build something new and complete down the road and just swap it out. I think I may be worrying too much about this.

[68Formula]

FWIW, if it were me I'd get a take-out LY6, and delete the VVT (not as many parts needed since it doesn't have AFM as well). I think you can get away with the truck intake and accessories on a Tri-5, and it'll have the rectangular port heads to mate to the LSA intake. I wouldn't worry about the weight of the iron block.

Add LS9 stock head gaskets (they are MLS steel). Since the heads are off, you may want to sent them for porting, but that's up to you.

Then I'd upgrade the oil pump, and add a Summit-8715 cam with 1218 PAC springs. This cam will work well naturally aspirated and pair very well when you add the blower later. So you won't have to upgrade the camshaft twice. The other nice thing about going with a cam that works as stock or with the blower, you'll be able to get all the base tuning worked out ahead, minimizing recal later. You could even update with higher flow injectors as this point too.

If you're positive you'll be moving to the blower at a later date, you could get the brackets ahead of time https://www.lsxinnovations.com/product/lsa-6-rib-accessory-drive-truck-belt-spacing/ before you put it in the car. I think it should still work with the truck intake, you'll just need a different length belt.

Doing it this way, you start with a good NA combination that should put out nearly 500hp at the crank (even more of you had the heads ported). Then later you can swap the SC on top (along with the cooler lines) and update the cal for new injectors and boost.

[Bruce1968]

6.0 engines are good and are popular. But, if doing it on a budget is a real high priority, a 5.3 out of a truck can be found pretty cheaply and can be safely boosted, from what I understand, to a level that will never be able to find traction on the street.

[icemanrd19]

Budget would be a 5.3, 5.7, 6.0 and put a lsa on top of it. Either swap the heads or use adapter plates. I’m running a 2.3 heartbeat blower on mine peak 9 psi at but typically 7-8psi and it made 700rwhp at 6800rpms. I plan on turning the boost up a few more pounds this winter.

[Chirus]

Here is a breakdown on what my LY6 + LSA setup has cost so far. There is no need to go as far as i have, but it will give you an idea on costs.
If there is no cost then it was part of a kit. cost will very on these items as i bought mine last year. I bought the LSA several years ago off ebay when they where cheap.
If i did it again i wold look for a complete LSA take out. it is the small hard to source items that eat up the budget. My engine was a GM Core so i had none of the nuts, bolts and clip that a junkyard engine would come with. The take out units i have seen come with the trans as well. so that would save you a bunch in cost as well.



LY6 Engine
Own
$ 700.00




LSA Supercharger
Own
$ 450.00
ZZP



Intake Bolts
LSX-LSASC6M
$ 21.95
LSX Concepts



ZL1 Supercharger Cover
12622236
$ 569.99
ZZP



Supercharger oil
12322236
$ 8.99
ZZP



Supercharger Coupler
ZZ-LSASCCPLR
$ 19.99
ZZP



Throttle body 90mm
12605109
$ 171.99
GM



Fuel Rail
12605222
$ 278.79
RockAuto



Injector harness
12664869
$ 88.11
newgmparts.com



Injector harness
12664870
$ 84.37
newgmparts.com



Fuel Filter
MP-7010-BLK
$ 85.99
Summit



Fuel pressure Regulator
MP-99509-B9-BLK
$ 221.99
Summit



Fuel Injectors 85lbs EV6
FIC-IS303-0850H
$ 675.00
Lingenfelter



Engine Controller
19369381
$ 1,557.00
GM



LSA Modular pulley 2.5

$ 149.99
ZZP



ARP 234-4317 Cylinder Head Stud Kit
234-4316
$ 346.99
ZZP



ARP 234-5608 Main Stud Kit
234-5608
$ 217.99
Summit



ARP 134-6006 Connecting Rod Bolts
134-6006
$ 94.99
Summit
not used


Harmonic Balancer
12674581
$ 131.99
RockAuto



Harmonic Balancer Bolt
12557840
$ 4.12
RockAuto



Oil Pressure Sensor
12673134
$ 36.79
RockAuto



Rear Crank seal and cover gasket
BS40640
$ 16.80
RockAuto



Intake Gaskets
12673134
$ 39.79
RockAuto



Valley Gasket
12610141
$ 40.79
RockAuto



Oil Galley Plug (barbell)
MOGP100
$ 5.26
RockAuto



Oil pump pickup o-ring
B32790
$ 1.68
RockAuto



Rods & Pistons, crank

$ 2,249.00
Texas Speed
Piston -13.7 Dish


Lifters LS7
17122490
$ 99.99
Texas Speed



Valve Springs
12625033

Texas Speed



Rocker Arm Trunion Kit
CHE4290
$ 109.99
ZZP
had to have 4 more shipped


Camshaft kit springs, push rods seals
12638427
$ 919.89
Texas Speed



Camshaft Thrust Plate
MF127
$ 23.79
RockAuto



Timing Chain, Cam kit


Texas Speed



LS9 Head Gaskets
12622033
$ 123.98
Summit



Steam Vent Kit
03-51005
$ 217.00
NO2 outlet



3 Bolt Camshaft Timing Sprocket, Cam kit
12586481

Texas Speed



Timing Cover
12600326
$ 119.00
Texas Speed



Timing Chain, cam kit


Texas Speed



High Mount Accessory Drive
LSA Race Drive High
$ 1,947.29
LSX Concepts
12182


Dipstick
12634547
$ 12.70
Rockauto



Dipstick Tube
12634547
$ 14.15
Rockauto



LS9 Piston Squirters
KAT-6350
$ 183.99
Katech
not used


Timing Chain Dampener
12588670
$ 18.99
Summit



Oil Pan
302-1
$ 349.95
Amazon



Oil Pan Baffle
302-10
$ 168.94
Amazon



Melling Oil Pump
10295

Texas Speed



Radiator
Custom
$ 1,349.00
Entropy



Oil Cooler Lines
625-169
$ 66.95
Dorman



Crank Pin Kit
SLP100250
$ 49.99
LSX Innovations
order #4024


VVT Delete Kit

$ 119.00
Texas Speed



Water Pump
19180610
$ 172.79
RockAuto



Starter
12617229
$ 111.79
RockAuto



Starter Bolts
551681
$ 11.99
Amazon



Thermostat 187 degree
34198
$ 6.57
RockAuto



Fuel Tank
TM48A-T
$ 280.00
Tanks inc.



Fuel Pump
GPA-6
$ 280.00
Tanks inc.



Fuel Sending Unit
TAN-GME
$ 35.00
Tanks inc.



Fuel Door
AD-85
$ 45.00
Tanks inc.



Headers Mid Length 1 7/8"
102-6794
$ 899.00
Brphotrods
order#17958


Stainless Steel Header Bolts
000-6730-00
$ 24.99
Brphotrods



Oil Pump Pickup Tube Girdle
000-6000-00
$ 34.95
Brphotrods
not used


AFCO Heat Exchanger
80283NDP
$ 459.18
Summit



MSD Coil
MSD32823
$ 352.95
Summit



MSD Spark Plug wires
MSD55118
$ 83.35
Summit



3/8 Fitting Fuel Line
EAR-AT165006ERL
$ 22.66
Summit



1/4 Fitting Fuel Line
FRA-892004BL
$ 25.98
Summit



Trans Mount Ploy
000-2960-56
$ 39.99
Brphotrods



Total

$ 17,051.12




Engine work Larry's Engine and Marine, Tuscon





Mod block for Oilers

$ 200.00




Oil squirters
MLR 401-326
$ 108.00




Cam bearings
CH-25
$ 25.85




Hone V8

$ 75.00




Jet Clean block

$ 75.00




install cam bearings

$ 70.00




LS O galley plug
9427693
$ 5.54




Main bearings
MS2199P-STD
$ 116.94




Enviromental Fee

$ 5.54




Total

$ 681.87
































Tools






Ring filer
PRO66785
$ 56.99




Spring compressor
TFS90306
$ 79.99




Ring compressor
ARP 900-0100
$ 60.40




Magnetic Base
Harbor Freight
$ 13.00




Tread Tap
ARP 912-0011
$ 53.60













$ 263.98

[D-Man]

Here is a breakdown on what my LY6 + LSA setup has cost so far. There is no need to go as far as i have, but it will give you an idea on costs.
If there is no cost then it was part of a kit. cost will very on these items as i bought mine last year. I bought the LSA several years ago off ebay when they where cheap.
If i did it again i wold look for a complete LSA take out. it is the small hard to source items that eat up the budget. My engine was a GM Core so i had none of the nuts, bolts and clip that a junkyard engine would come with. The take out units i have seen come with the trans as well. so that would save you a bunch in cost as well.



LY6 Engine
Own
$ 700.00




LSA Supercharger
Own
$ 450.00
ZZP



Intake Bolts
LSX-LSASC6M
$ 21.95
LSX Concepts



ZL1 Supercharger Cover
12622236
$ 569.99
ZZP



Supercharger oil
12322236
$ 8.99
ZZP



Supercharger Coupler
ZZ-LSASCCPLR
$ 19.99
ZZP



Throttle body 90mm
12605109
$ 171.99
GM



Fuel Rail
12605222
$ 278.79
RockAuto



Injector harness
12664869
$ 88.11
newgmparts.com



Injector harness
12664870
$ 84.37
newgmparts.com



Fuel Filter
MP-7010-BLK
$ 85.99
Summit



Fuel pressure Regulator
MP-99509-B9-BLK
$ 221.99
Summit



Fuel Injectors 85lbs EV6
FIC-IS303-0850H
$ 675.00
Lingenfelter



Engine Controller
19369381
$ 1,557.00
GM



LSA Modular pulley 2.5

$ 149.99
ZZP



ARP 234-4317 Cylinder Head Stud Kit
234-4316
$ 346.99
ZZP



ARP 234-5608 Main Stud Kit
234-5608
$ 217.99
Summit



ARP 134-6006 Connecting Rod Bolts
134-6006
$ 94.99
Summit
not used


Harmonic Balancer
12674581
$ 131.99
RockAuto



Harmonic Balancer Bolt
12557840
$ 4.12
RockAuto



Oil Pressure Sensor
12673134
$ 36.79
RockAuto



Rear Crank seal and cover gasket
BS40640
$ 16.80
RockAuto



Intake Gaskets
12673134
$ 39.79
RockAuto



Valley Gasket
12610141
$ 40.79
RockAuto



Oil Galley Plug (barbell)
MOGP100
$ 5.26
RockAuto



Oil pump pickup o-ring
B32790
$ 1.68
RockAuto



Rods & Pistons, crank

$ 2,249.00
Texas Speed
Piston -13.7 Dish


Lifters LS7
17122490
$ 99.99
Texas Speed



Valve Springs
12625033

Texas Speed



Rocker Arm Trunion Kit
CHE4290
$ 109.99
ZZP
had to have 4 more shipped


Camshaft kit springs, push rods seals
12638427
$ 919.89
Texas Speed



Camshaft Thrust Plate
MF127
$ 23.79
RockAuto



Timing Chain, Cam kit


Texas Speed



LS9 Head Gaskets
12622033
$ 123.98
Summit



Steam Vent Kit
03-51005
$ 217.00
NO2 outlet



3 Bolt Camshaft Timing Sprocket, Cam kit
12586481

Texas Speed



Timing Cover
12600326
$ 119.00
Texas Speed



Timing Chain, cam kit


Texas Speed



High Mount Accessory Drive
LSA Race Drive High
$ 1,947.29
LSX Concepts
12182


Dipstick
12634547
$ 12.70
Rockauto



Dipstick Tube
12634547
$ 14.15
Rockauto



LS9 Piston Squirters
KAT-6350
$ 183.99
Katech
not used


Timing Chain Dampener
12588670
$ 18.99
Summit



Oil Pan
302-1
$ 349.95
Amazon



Oil Pan Baffle
302-10
$ 168.94
Amazon



Melling Oil Pump
10295

Texas Speed



Radiator
Custom
$ 1,349.00
Entropy



Oil Cooler Lines
625-169
$ 66.95
Dorman



Crank Pin Kit
SLP100250
$ 49.99
LSX Innovations
order #4024


VVT Delete Kit

$ 119.00
Texas Speed



Water Pump
19180610
$ 172.79
RockAuto



Starter
12617229
$ 111.79
RockAuto



Starter Bolts
551681
$ 11.99
Amazon



Thermostat 187 degree
34198
$ 6.57
RockAuto



Fuel Tank
TM48A-T
$ 280.00
Tanks inc.



Fuel Pump
GPA-6
$ 280.00
Tanks inc.



Fuel Sending Unit
TAN-GME
$ 35.00
Tanks inc.



Fuel Door
AD-85
$ 45.00
Tanks inc.



Headers Mid Length 1 7/8"
102-6794
$ 899.00
Brphotrods
order#17958


Stainless Steel Header Bolts
000-6730-00
$ 24.99
Brphotrods



Oil Pump Pickup Tube Girdle
000-6000-00
$ 34.95
Brphotrods
not used


AFCO Heat Exchanger
80283NDP
$ 459.18
Summit



MSD Coil
MSD32823
$ 352.95
Summit



MSD Spark Plug wires
MSD55118
$ 83.35
Summit



3/8 Fitting Fuel Line
EAR-AT165006ERL
$ 22.66
Summit



1/4 Fitting Fuel Line
FRA-892004BL
$ 25.98
Summit



Trans Mount Ploy
000-2960-56
$ 39.99
Brphotrods



Total

$ 17,051.12




Engine work Larry's Engine and Marine, Tuscon





Mod block for Oilers

$ 200.00




Oil squirters
MLR 401-326
$ 108.00




Cam bearings
CH-25
$ 25.85




Hone V8

$ 75.00




Jet Clean block

$ 75.00




install cam bearings

$ 70.00




LS O galley plug
9427693
$ 5.54




Main bearings
MS2199P-STD
$ 116.94




Enviromental Fee

$ 5.54




Total

$ 681.87
































Tools






Ring filer
PRO66785
$ 56.99




Spring compressor
TFS90306
$ 79.99




Ring compressor
ARP 900-0100
$ 60.40




Magnetic Base
Harbor Freight
$ 13.00




Tread Tap
ARP 912-0011
$ 53.60













$ 263.98





That's super helpful. Thanks for sharing! One question. Out of those parts what big ticket items can be eliminated for a budget build and still remain durable?

[F-Body International]

Any chance there is an all aluminum version without VVT that an LSA supercharger would drop onto at a later date? I'm trying not to shoot myself in the foot in the future.

It’s not the most cost effective but GM Performance has a small bore rectangle port cylinder head. You could technically bolt up to an LS1. The aluminum L33 has too small of a bore for this unfortunately.

[Chirus]

If the focus of your build is to add to the engine in stages. I would focus on bottom end upgrades first.

The largest issue i ran into has been finding the small parts, clips, brackets and harnesses. i would look to a complete LSA takeout engine.

[214Chevy]

I honestly don't think the words "budget" and "supercharger" actually go together.

[andrewb70]

I honestly don't think the words "budget" and "supercharger" actually go together.

Depends on the size of the budget...LOL

Andrew