1970 GTO Version 2.0

[trapin]

I have never understood people's infatuation with the LS7. Have you seen the size of the tank for the dry sump system? It's more trouble than it's worth to try and package that thing in there somewhere. Like trying to hide a mini air compressor in your car...and for what? There really isn't any REAL power or functional advantage over the engine that Rupp has in his car or that Andrew has in his. All 3 engines will do the same job.

[Ron S]

I agree,I'm just buttoning up my 6.0 L92 engine for my 68 Camaro,if you shop around,you can made 500 hp for less the $3500,and if you break something while pushing her beyond her limits,you don't want to put a gun in your mouth like you would if you bought an LS7.Ron

[parsonsj]

I have never understood people's infatuation with the LS7

I can, in one word: titanium. As in connecting rods. At least that's what I find so compelling about the LS7.

jp

[andrewb70]

The LS7 definitely has some cool technology. The titanium rods are very cool, as are the titanium valves, super flowing heads, dry sump oiling, and forged crank shaft.

Andrew

[compos mentis]

I have never understood people's infatuation with the LS7. All 3 engines will do the same job.

Bang for the buck, others surpass it but...

IMO I think a big part is the cachet it carries from the factory it is a 427/ 500+hp motor plus its got the goodies like JP mentioned.

A lot of us like to build and sell soon after so obviously it helps resale values also.

I'm seriously considering one for all the above reasons to stick in a '55 Chevy.

[trapin]

.....The titanium rods are very cool, as are the titanium valves, super flowing heads, dry sump oiling, and forged crank shaft.

Andrew

I guess it just all comes down to preference. If it's something you prefer, fine but I'd never pay an additional $6500 over an LS2 to get all that stuff because I thought that I needed it. You can get an extra 100 ponies out of a crate LS2 with a camshaft and set of long tube headers and you ain't gonna break any rods or valves. And I highly doubt that in the event you wanted to race it you would have any oil starvation issues either.

That's the side of the fence I'm on. I know my grass ain't as green over here but at least in my scenario I have an extra $6500 in the pocket. I'd rather save it there then have to make it up later when I go to sell.

But that's just me...I always look at the fiscal side of it. You tend to do that when you're cash poor. LOL!!!!

[parsonsj]

Well... since we're among friends here: I would choose the LS2 or LS3 myself too.

If I had my choice, and money wasn't an issue, I'd use an LS7 (or even an LS9).

Andrew and I have talked about it several times: I've considered de-tuning my car and going back to an LS2 with a factory ECU. Sometimes my car is just too much of a prima donna.

jp

[jackfrost]

ok, I know I'm a n00b, but if you're talking bang-for-the-buck, I would start with a core motor, either a Gen I SBC or LS1 and build it completely custom from the ground up. you can easily build a 500hp motor for $7k. and for $13k you could build something really badass.

[compos mentis]

What would you rather have, a LS7 or a 427 ZL-1 based motor with EFI?

(not the Anniversary 427 ZL-1 since I don't think pricing has been made public yet )

[parsonsj]

LS7. Every day, and twice on Sunday. More power, lighter weight, better engineering.

jp

[andrewb70]

LS7. Every day, and twice on Sunday. More power, lighter weight, better engineering.

jp

No contest there. I would even take an LS6 over a fuel injected old big block, even if it had an aluminum block.

Andrew

[parsonsj]

I'll bet you'd even take an L92 truck version over a 502 big block.

jp

[andrewb70]

I'll bet you'd even take an L92 truck version over a 502 big block.

jp

You better believe it!

Andrew

[tom_a]

I agree with Tony about LS2/3 over an LS7. I battled with the same thing on my project. The LS7 is what I wanted but it was hard to justify over an LS2 on top of the more time it would have taken to save for that. When I got a chance to buy the LS3 for 6K less wtr pump and coils (which added about $350) I jumped on it. LS7 = 13K plus all the dry sump ?? maybe another 800.00 so with $7450 left over can go to harness headers, radiator or what ever. I know the LS7 is superior but I liken it to more of a "Country Club" my car got this and that etc. Andrew is the one who ended up with the best deal with regards to what he paid for it. 418Rwp compared to a recent dyno of an LS7 at 498rwp with katech cam that adds $600.00. Andrews likely has 9k less invested and only is giving up 80rwhp. You could buy a maggie turn key kit $6600.00 for your L92 surpass the cammed LS7 and still have change left over. This thread was awesome and I love Andrew's approach to his hole build. It's good for us guy's with lower budgets. It's all about wallet size and opinion and sure I would love the LS7 or even LS9 but just not in my cards.

[Ron S]

Those high dollar peices are nice,but to go to that extreme,i would have to sacrifice somewhere else,suspension,brakes etc.I took a truck 5.7 hemi I got out of a junk yard for $800,stuck a cam and headers on it and went 12.40 and made a 373rwhp.I now have a 6.0 in my Camaro that i got out of the same junk yard for $800 which had a 12,000 miles but a broken head,stuck a set of L92's a big cam,and GM injected 4bbl intake with edelbrock elbow can't wait to see what kind of numbers it makes.I do love that GTO.Ron

[trapin]

You save $6500-$7000 on your engine....there's a Detroit Speed front subframe or a complete air ride shockwave system right there. Bonus.

Alright....let's get Andrew's thread back on topic. Commercial break is over...back to our regularly scheduled program.

[compos mentis]

Alright....let's get Andrew's thread back on topic. Commercial break is over...back to our regularly scheduled program.

Whoa...wait a minute, we were helping taking the pressure off Andrew of having to be in control of the most interesting thread on this board currently, no offense to other thread 'bearers' here personally.

[gearbanger]

I love reading these arguments about what is best and why. My father in law likes to talk about how bad his 2006 vette is until I walk in the room, then he switches over to how good of gas milage it gets and how cold the AC is!

While we're all talking about what we would do, I'll just say I would stick with my $5,000 pontiac motor. So far it runs a 12.56 @ 114 on 295/45/18 hard radials, with no tune up, through the mufflers, with no drag racing goodies at all. It only gets a measley 18 mpg on the 4 hour round trip drive to the strip though, but hey, 89 octane is cheap.

I still love Andrews car though.

[andrewb70]

Whoa...wait a minute, we were helping taking the pressure off Andrew of having to be in control of the most interesting thread on this board currently, no offense to other thread 'bearers' here personally.

That's about as great of a compliment as I could ever hope for. Thank you!

Andrew

[compos mentis]

That's about as great of a compliment as I could ever hope for. Thank you!

Andrew

Your very welcome Andrew, or should I say 'Quizmaster', voted offline as this threads most popular feature!

LOL