LS7 Has Arrived

[builder]

I should have some pictures later today. I can't wait!!!

The ECU and harness is still a question, but the Delphi MEFI-4B and harness is already being used with some LS7 installations. Software is already done and very complete. No system has been purchased yet because, if a sequential system becomes available before required, I will go that route.

Some have recently fit headers from an LS2 on the LS7, so the exhaust shouldn't be too challenging.

The walls and roof go on the shop starting Monday and should be ready to inhabit by next weekend. Finally, I can move my crates in and the GTR build can commence!!!

-- Scott

[builder]

Here are some pictures of the little darling...

[steve_D]

Do I take it from the label that Eric built the whole engine by hand?
I would have expected a production line and cannot see why it would need to be built by hand. Is he blueprinting it i.e. selecting parts by size for each engine?

Steve

[GTRene]

Hey Scot, nice clean engine!...its more like one those "modern" engine's just like the difference between a E36 3.2 M3 and a E46 3.25 M3 engine the modern engine looks much cleaner more ass one part.

[mhussa]

Will the LS7 fit on the standard chassis mountings or is there some customisation required?

Does anyone know if the SBC and LSx chassis is different.

505 unmodified horses in an engine seems a lot more appealing to me than the "twitchy" characteristics of the modified versions.

I'm VERY interested in how you get on with this.

[Boosted Ls1]

steve_D said:

Do I take it from the label that Eric built the whole engine by hand? I would have expected a production line and cannot see why it would need to be built by hand. Is he blueprinting it i.e. selecting parts by size for each engine? Steve

From what I've seen thus far one person builds each engine but it's not blueprinted as I understand blueprinting. The pistons, rings etc are preassembled onto the rods before they arrive at the builders work station and he then fits them. In otherwords, he doesn't set gaps or clearances, doubt if the ring gaps are file fit etc.

That said, it's still a very nice engine and better built then a boggo lsx built by robots. The parts may be made to tighter tolerences in the first place?

Boosted.

[mhussa]

Here's a link to a very interesting article on the LS7 build process.

http://superchevy.com/technical/engin

[builder]

mhussa said:

Will the LS7 fit on the standard chassis mountings or is there some customisation required? Does anyone know if the SBC and LSx chassis is different. 505 unmodified horses in an engine seems a lot more appealing to me than the "twitchy" characteristics of the modified versions. I'm VERY interested in how you get on with this.

The fit is still in question, but at first glance the mounting looks identical to other LSx engines. It is not the same as SBC. There are small adapter plates which allow an LSx to mount to an SBC chassis.

Yes, the 505 HP (with a factory warranty) is appealing and one of the main reasons I went this route...especialy as the engine comes with everything from the throttle body (fuel injected), to the dry-sump pan (and crank-driven pump). Add a good PCM dyno tune and long-tube headers and they are making ~580 HP.

You may have noticed the extra bits on the shaft that can come off and be sold. Anyone have an F-body in need of a stronger clutch?

[builder]

steve_D said:

Do I take it from the label that Eric built the whole engine by hand? I would have expected a production line and cannot see why it would need to be built by hand. Is he blueprinting it i.e. selecting parts by size for each engine? Steve

Yes, there are about 20 guys that each make one engine per day and they attach their own lable. (Not all are LS7) You've got to love that for accountability, no? There are some robotics involved, but not much. Mostly, their torque "wrenches" are computer controlled and also record and store the specs for each build. Not exactly blueprinting, but my guess is the parts are examined very closely before hitting the assembly tables. Note, an LS7-powered Z06 Corvette can be purchased with an extended 100k-mile warranty.

[builder]

GTRene said:

Hey Scot, nice clean engine!...its more like one those "modern" engine's just like the difference between a E36 3.2 M3 and a E46 3.25 M3 engine the modern engine looks much cleaner more ass one part.

Thanks, René. Allbeit fun, now all I have to do is finish building the garage, build the car, get the engine harness, ECU, dry-sump, A/C, and alternator, install the engine and trans, get it licensed and then start enjoying the driving!

I was hoping to take five months of full-time work to do this. It's looking longer now and probably not full-time. We'll see. Maybe I will hit Lotto or the casinos!

[builder]

Vid clip of LS7 being built...

Edited to say I could have sworn I heard him say, "Ultima small block engine."

>> Edited by builder on Saturday 29th October 16:41

[Boosted Ls1]

Lucky guy Scott I reckon you'll have a lot of fun with that motor.

Boosted.

[builder]

Boosted Ls1 said:

Lucky guy Scott I reckon you'll have a lot of fun with that motor. Boosted.

Yes, it's going to be completely sick!

[chuntington101]

hey builder, is this your engine?? i though some guy was sticking it in an old camero?!?!?!? hope i haven't stol your glory!

yeah i recon 600bhp should be "do-able" with some nice headers and a ECU. but then some low comp. forged pistons and a supercharger or a copule of turbos and you could see a lot more!

thanks for all the responces. i think people juts need to pester all the GM dealers in the states to try and get them to garante production for next year!

thanks Chris.

[Hugger Z]

[/quote]

You may have noticed the extra bits on the shaft that can come off and be sold. Anyone have an F-body in need of a stronger clutch?[/quote]

Scott,
Why yes I am. I was looking into this upgrade for my Camaro this winter and have been reading up on the new ZO6 clutch with a LS2 flywheel. Let me know what you would like to get for it. And would it just be the clutch and pressure plate or the flywheel as well? Thanks.

TONY

[builder]

chuntington101 said:

hey builder, is this your engine?? i though some guy was sticking it in an old camero?!?!?!? hope i haven't stol your glory! yeah i recon 600bhp should be "do-able" with some nice headers and a ECU. but then some low comp. forged pistons and a supercharger or a copule of turbos and you could see a lot more! thanks for all the responces. i think people juts need to pester all the GM dealers in the states to try and get them to garante production for next year! thanks Chris.

Camaro! I like the old Camaro, but that's not me. This aluminum, small block, 427 is going in the Ultima GTR!!!

I figure it will make around 480 at the wheels with a good tune and headers. That will be plenty until I learn how to drive it and have a year or two of fun with it. Besides, it's got a year warranty. Maybe then I will want to rebuild it for boost and make crazy power.

-- Scott

Hugger Z said:

Builder said: ...Anyone have an F-body in need of a stronger clutch? Scott, Why yes I am. I was looking into this upgrade for my Camaro this winter and have been reading up on the new ZO6 clutch with a LS2 flywheel. Let me know what you would like to get for it. And would it just be the clutch and pressure plate or the flywheel as well? Thanks. TONY

Hey Tony,
Yes, it would include the flywheel too. I don't think I need that. But, I do need to examine that carefully first as I am told they are externally balanced with weights on the flywheel. I don't know if removing the flywheel has an affect on the balance of the engine.

We'll figure out a reasonable package price, if you want it...

-- Scott

[builder]

The LS7 I had was so...September. Check out the LS8 (at bottom) I just picked up. Photos have been added to the link. Caution... dial-up users... some big pics.

[d3vine]

LS7 for sale on Ebay. Check out their Website, they have a stage 2 upgrade for the LS7 that makes over 650hp.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LS7-Crate-Engine-Crat

[xmind2006]

builder said:

The LS7 I had was so...September. Check out the LS8 (at bottom) I just picked up. Photos have been added to the link. Caution... dial-up users... some big pics.

Very cool...wishful photo-chop of an LS2. If only it was that easy to increase displacement by 50%...

Can't wait to see that LS7 in an Ultima though!

[GTRene]

[quote=builder]The LS7 I had was so...September. Check out the LS8 (at bottom)

Wow, that LS8 engine...9.0Liter would that be the "blue devil" ZO6 engine that could do more than 600hp?...its a monster

I did some research? and found that that LS8 picture is from a photo-chopper made at the end of 2004! so its not real...
So we stil have to wait for the real "blue devil" code name monster engine
here is that "old" threat?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RHall8612 12-19-2004, 06:24 AM
You were close, but the 9.0L is the new LS8. I have the pic.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v257/Viper8612/New

:devil:

-Russell
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

René


>> Edited by GTRene on Sunday 13th November 09:54