Choosing a LSX.... Help Please!!

[red95t/a]

I would look for an LS2 short block, they are gettin cheaper and easier to find, then you could go with the LS3 heads and intake with a good port job, a good cam and headers then you would be over 500hp at the flywheel easy. We do this combo quite often at our shop and its good bang for the buck.

[ITLBTU]

The '06-'09 SS Trailblazer has the LS2. They're rated at 395hp

[70SS98SS]

the designation for different engines is somewhat confusing. didn't read every post so far but just to clear things up a little. each engine deignation is an RPO code for ordering. some engines are standard some optional all depends on dealer originally ordering.
LS1 was the designation for camaro firebird and corvette engines from 97-02
LS2 came in the corvette in 05 when they changed to 6.0 400hp liter
LS3 is from 08 vette and newer and are 6.2 liter 430hp
LS7 came in 06 and newer Z06 and are 505hp dry sump
L99 is automatic trans Camaro 2010(has active fuel management)
LS3 is camaro stick 2010
the rest they are talking about are for trucks suv's etc if you need specifics let me know I'll help decode won't list all for the sake of space. I have ordered hundreds of chevy cars and trucks and know most applications. hope this helps

[daytonayellaz]

Ok guys.....First off, Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to post and help! This is one of my favorite sites fo this reason.

So far the only car that has came along for me to pluck the engine from is a 04 GTO with 2180 miles on it.....Thats not a typo it has just 2180 miles. What do you guys think about using this motor? I can get the PCM and complete undamged wiring harness and whatever else I need for the car. I would like to hold out for 6.0 or larger but this motor sure is tempting! Plus I dont know when the next motor may come along.....and when it does it may not be as nice as this.

[Mike Holleman]

Ok guys.....First off, Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to post and help! This is one of my favorite sites fo this reason.

So far the only car that has came along for me to pluck the engine from is a 04 GTO with 2180 miles on it.....Thats not a typo it has just 2180 miles. What do you guys think about using this motor? I can get the PCM and complete undamged wiring harness and whatever else I need for the car. I would like to hold out for 6.0 or larger but this motor sure is tempting! Plus I dont know when the next motor may come along.....and when it does it may not be as nice as this.

Not a thing wrong with an LS1. Good base engine, lot's of aftermarket goodies available for it and makes good reliable power as is. Also many folks have upgraded their LS2 with heads, cams, intakes etc. You could pick up used LS2 parts very cheap. Not a bad choice.
Mike

[70SS98SS]

have to agree nothing wrong with 5.7 especially if you can get it as cheap as you say with no miles!!!! for some reason 04 gto doesn't bring the same money as (05 and up) 6.0.... still a screamer

[lipe33]

Another viable option is a 5.3 from a truck. They are dirt cheap and can make 500 hp without using high dollar exotic parts. See the link below:

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=56501

[LSXZ28]

Ok guys.....First off, Thanks to all of you who have taken the time to post and help! This is one of my favorite sites fo this reason.

So far the only car that has came along for me to pluck the engine from is a 04 GTO with 2180 miles on it.....Thats not a typo it has just 2180 miles. What do you guys think about using this motor? I can get the PCM and complete undamged wiring harness and whatever else I need for the car. I would like to hold out for 6.0 or larger but this motor sure is tempting! Plus I dont know when the next motor may come along.....and when it does it may not be as nice as this.

I would jump all over that! You can put a cam in it and be equal to the LS2 in a heartbeat... or do heads and cam, and far surpass the LS2 very quickly...

[lipe33]

Speaking of cylinder heads, the smaller combustion chamber of the 5.3 heads lends itself to a natural increase in compression without changing any internals. Furthemore, a company call Total Engine Airflow is known for the full CNC treatment they perform on 5.3 heads, making them a VERY economical option to produce considerable power. Please refer to the images below:

[daytonayellaz]

have to agree nothing wrong with 5.7 especially if you can get it as cheap as you say with no miles!!!! for some reason 04 gto doesn't bring the same money as (05 and up) 6.0.... still a screamer

I want to say Im getting it for free, but he has asked me to do some home improvement work on his house.....This is what I do for a living and if I were to bid this at full price would total up to about 2200. Of course I wouldnt charge him full price anyway because of all he has done for me over the years anyway. I have heard this setup is worth north of 3500. ?? not that it really matters I guess.

[daytonayellaz]

Also, this car did not come from the salvage auction. It was in the original owners garage who had bought it back from the insurance co. He had planned on fixing the car but went ahead and sold it. 2100 miles......still has the original oil in it and air filter etc. You could darn near eat off this motor

[BA.]

Hey man, you know that saying "to each his own" right?

It seems like this GTO motor might be really good for you, especially if you're not into modding the motor like I would be.

You put a new cam in that motor, leave everything else alone, and you're practically done. Buy headers, motor/tranny mounts, maybe an air filter intake, maybe a flywheel. that's it.
That should be good for 430-450 motor hp. (The LS1 is about 350hp stock, LS2 400hp stock, LS3 is about 430hp stock)
Cam swaps in the LS motors are SUPER easy my sister could do it.

The less you mess around with the motor, heads and intake,..the more you can focus on the ancillary stuff like getting the mounts, radiator, DBW pedal mounted, etc.

[daytonayellaz]

Yeah....I just couldnt get this deal out of my head! I wanted to hold out for the latest and greatest but Im weak man....You should see this thing its so clean. I was thinking of how much power Im actually going to be able to use. Its going in my 67 camaro vert, that is not going to be a drag car or anything. Im thinking the cam change is all I will do and save money for the necessities, like you said Allan. My wife wants to drive the car...I want to go on the power tour. My wifes family is in northern MI (400 miles each way-800 total) and we want to take it to reunions and gatherings etc. So Im thinking this has me written all over it.....

[syborg tt]

another option would be to call Kris and see if this motor was still available

https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=61449

[66ls2]

Hi is your freind that is parting out this car interested in selling the rear seat? Is it black? I allready have the front seats just need the rear.
Thanks

[daytonayellaz]

Hi is your freind that is parting out this car interested in selling the rear seat? Is it black? I allready have the front seats just need the rear.
Thanks

Yeah, they are black. He has sold a ton of stuff off the car already, and I thought they were sold. I will ask him for you though.

[BonzoHansen]

What about an LY6? Any reason to shy away?

[93Polo]

Speaking of cylinder heads, the smaller combustion chamber of the 5.3 heads lends itself to a natural increase in compression without changing any internals. Furthemore, a company call Total Engine Airflow is known for the full CNC treatment they perform on 5.3 heads, making them a VERY economical option to produce considerable power. Please refer to the images below:

I ran TEA 5.3 stg 2s on my C5 and turned 436rwhp/415rwtq on a stock LS6 intake and TB, Futral F11 228/230. A friend with the same setup was turning within 5rwhp on the same dyno same day later swapped to a FAST/90mm and turned just over 450rwhp. A few guys with F13s (230/232) were in the upper 460s rwhp with the FAST. Both were 6 speed cars.

[93Polo]

Hey man, you know that saying "to each his own" right?

It seems like this GTO motor might be really good for you, especially if you're not into modding the motor like I would be.

You put a new cam in that motor, leave everything else alone, and you're practically done. Buy headers, motor/tranny mounts, maybe an air filter intake, maybe a flywheel. that's it.
That should be good for 430-450 motor hp. (The LS1 is about 350hp stock, LS2 400hp stock, LS3 is about 430hp stock)
Cam swaps in the LS motors are SUPER easy my sister could do it.

The less you mess around with the motor, heads and intake,..the more you can focus on the ancillary stuff like getting the mounts, radiator, DBW pedal mounted, etc.

IMO it is not cost effective to mess with maxing out a Heads and Cam motor. My old roommate just swapped to untouched 243 casting heads (LS6/LS2), FAST 90mm, a healthy cam and turned 441/415 with some lower budget long tubes in a 6 speed C5.

I would keep a traditional throttle cable, the throttle response IMO is better. It was just enough to annoy me with my C5 but most will never notice. I have a '99 F-body PCM to run the LS based swap when I get the money to finish my Chevelle.

[86_442_kID]

What about an LY6? Any reason to shy away?

The only reasons I can think of anybody not talking about the LY6 engine is because either theey don't know that much about it or because its a cast iron block and it weighs a little more then the aluminum LS2 based engines. Regardless I think the LY6 iron block is awsome engine to do a swap with oh and plus on top of that, it already have the L92 heads on it!