Are LS7's worth the bucks ?

[kiwigt]

I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on buying a crate engine for my 68 Camaro. The car is getting a major P/T overhaul, all the usual P/T suspects will be present in terms of suspension, big brakes etc. My car will 100% street driven (no auto x where I live) and will have an A4 auto.

So, as the post says is there anything magical about owning/driving an LS7 engined car ?. I want 550 fwhp. I know I can build that horsepower cheaper in an LS3 or similar - but I'd happily pay the extra LS7 entry price if I was convinced it would add to my enjoyment.

LS7 crate purchasers - would you do it all again ? - or having gone that route would you be as happy with the same horsepower via some other less pricey LS engine ?

[Ron.in.SoCal]

I can't answer that exactly as my car's nowhere near road ready, but IMHO this is a personal choice you have to make. Does it take away needed funds to complete the project? Do you get off on having more than your stated goal above? You're not planning racing so what's the motivation? If you're only looking for 550fwhp - and 550 really is a bunch, you can get there very easily w an l92 or an LS3 and save at least 5k on the build, not to mention the added oiling system complexity.

I was in the same boat. A couple of LS3 deals fell through (not for lack of trying). I do plan to get out there on the track and an LS7 deal came my way to I went for it. Good luck w your decision!

[Mkelcy]

You might also consider the supercharged LSA - about the same money, none of the dry sump plumbing costs, but somewhat better power with a factory tune.

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

I LOVE my LS7.. you wont understand til you have one.

or in my case.. 2.

[chicane67]

LS7's kick major @ss. However, just build an LS3... (and then dont tell anyone)... but call it an LS7.

If you do it just to say you have one... you are doing it for the wrong reasons. It's either that, or you must have some money to burn.



Honestly... you have to do the math. You know, the "cost vs." thing and see if its in your better judgement.

[ProdigyCustoms]

We are selling quite a few 540HP LS3s these days. And often I get to install them and drive them, along with LS7s. And at the end of the day, 550 LS3 horsepower fells exactly like 550 LS7 horsepower. The dry sump on the LS7 is a bit of a expensive PIA and we have a oil pan we use for LS3 wet sump that holds rock steady oil pressure even on the road coarse.

The better guts of the LS7 are nice but we have not found the limits of the LS3 yet natural aspirated and at 540 HP level have zero problems. The LS7 will need a cam to make 550HP and will actually make more like 600HP with a cam as the LS7 will make more power then a LS3 if both have optimal cams in them. But then I can muddy the waters and throw our 418CI LS3 into the conversation which makes 600HP, has all forged guts and is $5000 less then a LS7.

Without turning this into a sales call. I can use our pricing and availability to make comparisons.

So heres the math

LS7 / 505HP $13500 to $14,200 ? Add cam / springs for more power, $700

LS3 / 540HP $7200

LS3 / 540HP (forged piston) $7500

418CI LS3 / 600HP $8800

And to compare apples to apples you will need to add $500 for a oil pan to fit the LS7 in your 68 Camaro and the Road Race oil pan to fit Camaro and A body which is standard on our LS3s. So when you add the cam / springs and oil pan to the LS7 your adding $1,200 so your really talking $15,000ish apples to apples. So $7500ish more then the LS3 540HP, so basically double the cost.

For me it is a no brainer at these horsepower levels.

[Ron.in.SoCal]

^ excellent analysis Frank. The spread gets even worse should you decide to make the LS7 bullet proof. Fully forged rods, pistons, springs + cam as mentioned, valve guides, titanium retainers, rocker upgrades to get rid of the needle bearings, slight head port and more. All this for 120 +/- HP. Ask me how I know...

[Gandalf]

Yeah - what Frank & Ron said for the same reasons and more. Like Ron, I didn't purchase a new crate engine which allowed the funds for modifications. All things being equal, do an LS3 build. Not only are the parts for the LS3 platform more plentiful but they are more budget friendly. Tons of folks offering some nasty LS3 based builds for the money. Mast, Turnkey and others come to mind.

Cheers mate!
G.

[robertjra]

wow, lots of good #'s all this I'm glad i got my l92..... lol but i still wish i could have that 427 under the hood, call it what ever you want but a 69 camaro with a 427 was the thing to have back in the day and a 69 camaro with a ls7 is the thing to have to day!!

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

if you got the paper.. ^ cosign that.

[trapin]

LS7 is a great engine. Just not for the money they want.

Go for the modded LS3 and spend the $7000 on something else.

[6D9 Matt]

I agree... if I go LS setup Im gonna grab up an LS3.

But Im just between that or a thumping BBC.