What's an LS7 really worth?

[badazz81z28]

I see many for $10k+ used with 30-55k miles, but I also see brand new 427s (stroked LS3) from blueprint for $8k. What is a no kidding good price for a LS7? From what I'm seeing, the LS3 is really the way to go even though I really want the 427 cool factor. People want crazy money fir an engine that notoriously has problems and no warranties.

[raustinss]

The problems are a known issue as are the repairs ....try to find one that's already "roasted" ...fix it and do a complete rebuild . Then you have 427 cubes.
I bought mine apart with a spun bearing aside from a new crank it's everything I knew it would be . When all said and done I couldn't get a ls3 , stroke it and have the same power levels for what I'll have into the ls7 .... And yes just saying ls7 to people is cool

[badazz81z28]

Any tips on where to look?

The problems are a known issue as are the repairs ....try to find one that's already "roasted" ...fix it and do a complete rebuild . Then you have 427 cubes.
I bought mine apart with a spun bearing aside from a new crank it's everything I knew it would be . When all said and done I couldn't get a ls3 , stroke it and have the same power levels for what I'll have into the ls7 .... And yes just saying ls7 to people is cool

[raustinss]

no sorry ...im in canada and lucked out looking online , kijiji ...kind like craigslist

[71RS/SS396]

The reality is in most cases folks want too much for LS3 and LS7 take outs. No way I would pay $10K for a take out LS7 when you can buy a new one for near $12K with the rebates GM is offering on them right now. You can buy the LS3 430 for under $6K but it's a wet sump which is not the route I would take if you plan on track events. Have you considered buying a LS7 block and putting in aftermarket internals? If you were to go that route I would use LS3 heads, they're cheaper and have more intake manifold options.

[raustinss]

racingjunk.com right now has a LS7 for 5500 ...CANADIAN... IN MONTREAL search LS7 should be about half way down the first page

[badazz81z28]

racingjunk.com right now has a LS7 for 5500 ...CANADIAN... IN MONTREAL search LS7 should be about half way down the first page

Oh wow! That's a deal comparably...sucks I'm so dang far away!!

[raustinss]

Where r u

[badazz81z28]

I'm in Las Vegas. I actually contacted the guy about possible freight.


Seems too good to be true.....that only like $4300 US dollars!

[raustinss]

Yeah ...no ....s**t ...them French guys are nuts lol. Was going to say it's still a drive but I could have somewhat helped you out possibly but your in Vegas.... So me driving 9 hrs there and 9 back doesn't really help much lmao. Good luck thou...if the is anything I can do let me know

[badazz81z28]

I wonder If he's a member here. He told me the plan was to go in his 69 Camaro.

[raustinss]

who knows

[Decline]

From what I've seen on the corvette forums the roasted LS7s are usually from a dropped valve. I'm not an expert and wouldnt be able to guess the amount of damage that would cause so I've always stayed away. There was a guy locally selling one in peieces from a dropped valve and the cylinder wall was scored/gouged pretty badly from what I could tell from pics. Like it would need a bore and not a hone.
A spun bearing would be a different story. If the price was right I'd prbly jump on one of those. I agree with the above that an LS7 is way cooler than a bored LS3. There are some that say taking a Ls3 past 416 is bad because the bottom of the piston comes out of the bottom of the cylinder. I think the ls7 has longer cylinders to counter that. I know that if you sleeve a LS block with Dayton or ERL their sleeves are extended. So are the aftermarket blocks like LSnext and dart etc.
if not for this I'm sure you'd see a lot more 427 ls3s and another reason why the LS7s command a premium.
Counter point: a member here and I guy I saw at the autoX yesterday has a mast 427 LS3 and he's been romping on it for atleast a couple years now. No idea the mileage but he drove it to and from Las Vegas for optima from SoCal.
Moral of the story, I really want a 427 badge for my front fender! I keep secretly hoping the price of Ls7s will magically drop some day. Problem is apparently I'm not the only one.

[raustinss]

Guys ...I've seen a few here ...I know a lot of guys consider Canada this annoying little frozen hockey playing step brother but hit up www.kijiji.ca . It's like Craigslist...theres a guy somewhere here in my area that rebuilds ls motors and sells them . If memory serves me he's sells a rebuilt and fixed ls7 for no more than 7000 Canadian so about 4900 us

[Peter Mc Mahon]

Don't know if its the same guy Ryan, but Hilton Motorsports is BIG into LS engines. He is in your area

[raustinss]

think the guy was around hamilton but not sure ....here in town theres dasilva motorsports but...hes probably going to do my motor ,hell he has it now lol , not sure where he sources his stuff from

[badazz81z28]

I'm seeing what I can get out of the seller, but does anyone have advice or question I should ask the seller?

Heck any members here live in Montreal?

[badazz81z28]

Looks like I'm gonna buy it. The guy is going to guarantee it which I don't think you can beat. Btw the price was in US dollars

[badazz81z28]

racingjunk.com right now has a LS7 for 5500 ...CANADIAN... IN MONTREAL search LS7 should be about half way down the first page

Well, I bought it! The wife thanks you for the find! 😁

[raustinss]

No problem... glad I could help, sorry about the price I thought it was Canadian.... Good deal still, now about that finders fee....lol