Help choosing LS engine

[scherp69]

So I was thinking about getting a Mast Motorsports LSX454 but I started thinking about it more and I really want the car done some time in the next few years. Although it looks like a sweet motor and I would love to have it, it would run me $16500 without pulleys and accessories. I can buy alot for that kind of money. I was looking at the new GM Performance catalog and see they have a new LS3 that puts out 480hp and it's just under $6500. I was searching for aftermarket stuff for the engine as I really want to be over the 500hp mark. I couldn't find much for it. This brings me to my question....of the LS crate engines, which ones have the most aftermarket power addons? I see alot for the LS1, LS2 and LS6. When I do get the engine, I want one with the the LS1 style intake. My goal is to get a crate engine around 5 or 6k and get some addons to put me over the 500hp mark. Unfortunately I don't have the funds right now, so I'm trying to plan ahead. I know nothing about LS engines so any information would greatly help and be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[BonzoHansen]

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=47065

See what kind of deal SDPC still has going. And Frank @ Prodigy has some LS based engines for sale too.

[BossaNova]

What's an "LS1 style" intake?

[WS6]

They all have pretty much the same support. For your power goals, I would recommend a worked LS2/3. You can go this route building it yourself for not a whole lot. I'd start with a drop out motor from a vette or GTO so that you have pullies and everything else you'll need. You can sell the parts you don't want/can't use to recoup some of your money.

500hp at the crank is a heads/cam LS2 or cammed LS3. You can do heads/cam on an LS3 and have 500 at the wheels. Customer of mine is sitting at the 470 rwhp mark with his cammed LS3 in an 08 vette. Good idle quality and good powerband. These numbers of course include headers.

The best bang for the buck I believe is an LS2 or 3 with worked L92/LS3 heads, ported LS3/L76 intake, ported throttle body, and a cam that gives you the power band of your choice. Stroke it and you'll make big power even with a small cam that'll give a very driveable beast.

[WS6]

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=52047



This is a pretty good deal for a new engine. The L92 is the truck version of the LS3.

[ErikSOCAL]

See post above and then add Mast Motorsports m90 controller package and vvt cam for 525hp (Mast has a post on LS1tech about it). I was thinking about that motor too but I think I want to do this as cheaply as possible and may pick up a 5.3 from him. Seems like most 6.0, 6.2L engines will reach your crank HP goals with nothing more than a cam swap.

[MastMotorsports]

See post above and then add Mast Motorsports m90 controller package and vvt cam for 525hp (Mast has a post on LS1tech about it). I was thinking about that motor too but I think I want to do this as cheaply as possible and may pick up a 5.3 from him. Seems like most 6.0, 6.2L engines will reach your crank HP goals with nothing more than a cam swap.

ErikSOCAL has a good suggestion to meet your performance goals. It really depends on what YOU want, but I do have to say that if that engine is new...that is a pretty darn good deal. Our M-90 Performance Package would essentially turn that L92 into our 530HP L92 HO. Let me know if you have any questions.

Hope this helps!

(936)560-2218 X14

[TnBlkC230WZ]

ErikSOCAL has a good suggestion to meet your performance goals. It really depends on what YOU want, but I do have to say that if that engine is new...that is a pretty darn good deal. Our M-90 Performance Package would essentially turn that L92 into our 530HP L92 HO. Let me know if you have any questions.

Hope this helps!

(936)560-2218 X14

I almost wish I needed a new motor

[s4dustin]

i am doing a stock Lq9 with a magnacharger..should have 500 to tires when I am done. Motor was a grand used + the blower which was used....reliable 500hp.....for a hell of a value.

[01badz28]

So I was thinking about getting a Mast Motorsports LSX454 but I started thinking about it more and I really want the car done some time in the next few years. Although it looks like a sweet motor and I would love to have it, it would run me $16500 without pulleys and accessories. I can buy alot for that kind of money. I was looking at the new GM Performance catalog and see they have a new LS3 that puts out 480hp and it's just under $6500. I was searching for aftermarket stuff for the engine as I really want to be over the 500hp mark. I couldn't find much for it. This brings me to my question....of the LS crate engines, which ones have the most aftermarket power addons? I see alot for the LS1, LS2 and LS6. When I do get the engine, I want one with the the LS1 style intake. My goal is to get a crate engine around 5 or 6k and get some addons to put me over the 500hp mark. Unfortunately I don't have the funds right now, so I'm trying to plan ahead. I know nothing about LS engines so any information would greatly help and be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Are you wanting to use the rectangular port or cathedral port heads? Cathedral port heads were used on the LS1, LS6, and LS2. Rectangular port heads (L92 / LS3) were used on the L92, LS3, and L76 engines. Its my understanding you can use cathedral port heads on the newer 6.2 (and apparently some 6.0L) blocks; however, it is impossible to use L92 heads on a 5.7L block due to PTV issues. I may be leaving out a few combinations.

LS1 intakes are not very good, if you use a cathedral port head, look at an LS6 or a FAST intake depending on your budget.

On the rectangular port head side, L76 and LS3 intakes are 'ok,' but seem to be a liming factor overall. FAST is preparing a 102mm intake, but its still vaporware at this point.

[WS6]

however, it is impossible to use L92 heads on a 5.7L block due to PTV issues.


On the rectangular port head side, L76 and LS3 intakes are 'ok,' but seem to be a liming factor overall. FAST is preparing a 102mm intake, but its still vaporware at this point.

The L92/LS3 heads won't work on anything smaller than 4.0 bore correct. It's not PTV, the valves won't fit into the bore. The intake valve is huge on those heads.

The FAST intake is supposedly due in March but it'll be summer before it's reality most likely. Should be a great piece though. For the present, have an L76/LS3 intake ported. It will do very well like that. Bigger is not always better, you must maintain velocity

[BossaNova]

I bought one of the L92 engines from the thread below & I am so stoked! It is a new crated engine still wrapped in plastic with a local Chevy dealer guarantee.
Also, I am definitiely going to use the VVT to its fullest advantage!
For a street engine, I don't know why you wouldn't use this technology.

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=52047

This is a pretty good deal for a new engine. The L92 is the truck version of the LS3.

[scherp69]

Thanks for all the info guys. This has been great. I wish I had the funds right now to get the motor as Frank has some killer deals as well as that L92 motor that's for sale. This gives me a lot of ideas to consider when it comes time to get the motor. I just need to keep working some more overtime to get the funds there. I think I need to change my build to 'project overtime'. Thanks again guys.

[WS6]

I bought one of the L92 engines from the thread below & I am so stoked! It is a new crated engine still wrapped in plastic with a local Chevy dealer guarantee.
Also, I am definitiely going to use the VVT to its fullest advantage!
For a street engine, I don't know why you wouldn't use this technology.

very good point. I had forgotten about the VVT in these engines and Comp has VVT kit or cams for those engines now too. I haven't looked into it, I just see it on the cover of the new GMHTP I have sitting here.

[BossaNova]

Here's an article if anyone is interested:

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...all/index.html

very good point. I had forgotten about the VVT in these engines and Comp has VVT kit or cams for those engines now too. I haven't looked into it, I just see it on the cover of the new GMHTP I have sitting here.

[SStrokerAce]

Thanks for all the info guys. This has been great. I wish I had the funds right now to get the motor as Frank has some killer deals as well as that L92 motor that's for sale. This gives me a lot of ideas to consider when it comes time to get the motor. I just need to keep working some more overtime to get the funds there. I think I need to change my build to 'project overtime'. Thanks again guys.

All of this depends on how much you want to spend, how tame you want the motor to drive and how much power....

500HP at the tires is not hard to do and be something you could drive the power tour with. A L92 headed 402 with the right valvetrain and attention to detial can easily do what you want. Done a few L92 setups and they all can make big power with small cams, and FWIW most people over cam the snot out of them.

The guys at Mast are super nice, talk to them as well and see what they can do for you. I sure think that VVT deal they have is killer.

Bret

[strtlegal]

Scherp,

I can get you in touch with my Chevrolet guy, GM had a bunch of leftover complete engines but didnt have the intake, water pump and exhaust manifolds bolted to the engine yet. They still came with it just not on the motors itself.

ITs an LS2 with GTO oil pan, with warranty $3,700.00. plus shipping of course. on the plus side its the 24x tone wheel

just pm me if your interested ill put you in contact with him. It's in the Phoenix, AZ area