![]() ![]() If your friend wants a new engine with a warranty, he can’t go wrong with an LS3. LS Engine Spotter’s Guide, Part 2: Matching the Engine to the Vehicle.LS Engine Spotter’s Guide, Part 1: Matching the Vehicle to the Engine.You can use these articles to help you locate the engine you want to work with. NOTE: LS car engines and LS-based Vortec truck engines are abundant in scrapyards everywhere, and a good low-cost option for LS swap projects. With better heads and slightly more camshaft, we think this engine will make 550 hp but the price begins to climb with better parts. That engine made 496 hp at roughly 6,000 rpm.ĭuplicating this package probably wouldn’t cost more than $6,000 including the Holley HP ECU. Plus, you will also need a complete accessory drive, which GM also can supply and is highly recommended Consider a Junkyard Pull for the Most Cost-Effective Buildįor a slightly different approach, I just finished a junkyard 6.0L truck engine for Car Craft Magazine with a small cam (it idles at 14 inches of vacuum), mildly ported 5.3L heads, and EFI using a stock Trailblazer SS intake. But much of that real estate will be eaten up pretty quickly when you start adding an ECU, intercooler, and all that plumbing. It’s a chore to find a spot for all the plumbing although a 1968-72 El Camino probably has the room. All this keeps the inlet air temperature manageable so that the engine doesn’t detonate. ![]() That will mean an external reservoir, lines, and a separate radiator. The engine is still expensive at slightly less than $12,000 and it will need additional parts.Īmong the required add-ons is a controller kit as well as a complete intercooler since it is plumbed to employ this advantage. This is a far better choice in terms of power per dollar. Remember, these are conservative horsepower ratings-at least 5 percent under the normal hot-rod-style correction factor.Īdd headers and a mild tune (the engines are always soft on timing and rich in the air-fuel calibration) and the power could jump to 625 hp. That would feel like a mild big-block in the car and yet is only 6.2L or 376 c.i.d. This engine never makes less than 400 foot-pounds of torque from 2,000 to 6,300 rpm with a peak torque of 551 ft.-lbs. The LSA is a docile package, yet delivers excellent power at 550 hp and is essentially an LS3 with different heads, a small 1.9L TVS blower, and an ultra-conservative cam. The LSA ( PN 19331507) is the engine used in the older supercharged Cadillac CTS-V before the conversion to the LT4. One supercharged Chevrolet Performance package I like is the one that garners very little attention. If we include the previously discussed drivetrain parts-we’re looking at numbers approaching $20,000. These add-on kits will also drive up the price of the entire package. The best way to get to that power level is probably with a supercharger-either a centrifugal like a Vortech, or a positive displacement blower like the Magunson you mentioned. And don’t forget that you will need some monster tires to hook all that power. We’re looking at another $3,500 for all those pieces. This is a big transmission, but in a 1968-72, it probably won’t require floor pan mods.Ī strong 4L80E will cost between $3,500 and $4,000 and will then demand a custom driveshaft and something stronger than an 8.5-inch 10-bolt rear end. At 750 hp, we are at the top of the heap for a 4L75E from GM, and it’s probably better to go with a 4L80E. Let’s limit our discussion to automatics since they are easier to drive. The problem with 650- to 700-hp engines is there are parallel issues which are never discussed, yet are critical to creating reliable performance. They rarely talk about 500 hp engines anymore. Much of this horsepower push is coming from the magazines. If it has $10,000 worth of suspension, perhaps traction will be slightly better.īut with a near-stock suspension it will be a dangerous handful unless he’s a very skilled driver. This will make the car extremely difficult to drive. It will be near impossible to plant this kind of power with street tires and especially in an El Camino since there is minimal weight over the rear tires.Įven at 500 hp, this would be difficult-at 700 hp, he will likely need slicks just to keep the tires from spinning at any speed below 60 mph. Jeff Smith: Let’s first look at why he thinks he needs 700 hp in an El Camino. What would be your suggestion for a cost-effective way to get to 650-700 hp? What about an LS3 for about $12,000, plus trans and harness and throw on a Magnuson supercharger for about $6,000? Would that be a more cost-effective way to go? – R.L. The next idea is an LS7 for about $13,000 plus trans and harness. As a crate engine, the LS9 would cost about $21,000 plus the transmission and harness. The LS9 is 635hp to start but no auto is recommended. He’s building a vintage El Camino and has decided on an LS swap. I’m asking this for a friend and I know you will have suggestions. ![]()
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