LS7 Test Fit and Measure
LS7 Test Fit and Measure
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Discussion

builder

Original Poster:

1,225 posts

271 months

Sunday 12th February 2006
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The LS7 was test-fit last night. It's going to be tight in the front...

bigmack

553 posts

289 months

Sunday 12th February 2006
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Excellent! Keep up the good work! Shame about those exhaust manifolds not fitting, but you'll probably want to free up the exhaust flow with headers anyway. Which reminds me. I found more interesting photos of exhausts on some Ultima race cars. Gotta get that on my new website that I'm working up.
Cheers!
-Mack

Boosted Ls1

21,200 posts

289 months

Sunday 12th February 2006
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Scott, if you can't adapt an elbow to suit the stock pump I can maybe help you out but you'll have to go electric.

Boosted.

peterpsg

813 posts

263 months

Sunday 12th February 2006
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Scott, while you're at the early stages - fit the remote filter head!!!

You'll save yourself the hassle of crawling around under the car during an oil change and draping rags over the chassis rails etc etc, it's on my must-do-real-soon list!

ls2ultima

48 posts

250 months

Monday 13th February 2006
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Scott I saw on your site the pics of the mounts and the photo you show appears as if the mount is too high also. I have seen another build site (cant remember which one)
where they had the same problem.
I seem to recall also that you are using the G50/52 transaxle which puts the engine 25mm further forward than normal. Have you already allowed for this with your mounts?
I will watch with interest because you are about a week in front of me with your build and I have been concerned about the mounts in particular.
Please tell me have you given much thought to your airbox?
Theres plenty of airbox options for the guys running carbies but I havnt seen much for the LS series install.

builder

Original Poster:

1,225 posts

271 months

Monday 13th February 2006
quotequote all
bigmack said:
Excellent! Keep up the good work! Shame about those exhaust manifolds not fitting, but you'll probably want to free up the exhaust flow with headers anyway. Which reminds me. I found more interesting photos of exhausts on some Ultima race cars. Gotta get that on my new website that I'm working up.
Thanks, Mack. Yup, it's going to take some custom pipes. I am going to see what Jeff Schwartz has. Get those photos up!!!
Boosted Ls1 said:
Scott, if you can't adapt an elbow to suit the stock pump I can maybe help you out but you'll have to go electric.
Oh, man. I will figure something out. I don't put a lot of faith in those electric pumps for track use. The flow wasn't up to the task last I checked. I will keep that option on the list, though. Have you done any track work with one of those electric pumps mounted?
peterpsg said:
Scott, while you're at the early stages - fit the remote filter head!!!

You'll save yourself the hassle of crawling around under the car during an oil change and draping rags over the chassis rails etc etc, it's on my must-do-real-soon list!
Definitely, Peter! That's a nice mod. I can see that as being a pain in the rump.

It's possible the LS7 filter will clear the rail. And luckily, the shop in my back yard has a car lift. But, that is a good mod for not much $$$. It's a given if the filter doesn't clear. Got to get the mounts positioned properly to do a final check.

Spent today and yesterday digging a 4' deep trench 80' long for electricity. Folks, I have some very big rocks! My 12" wide trench is 5' wide in some spots because of the boulders I pulled out and it's nowhere near straight. I still have 10' or so to dig...

builder

Original Poster:

1,225 posts

271 months

Monday 13th February 2006
quotequote all
ls2ultima said:
Scott I saw on your site the pics of the mounts and the photo you show appears as if the mount is too high also. I have seen another build site (cant remember which one) where they had the same problem.
The mounts are too high right now because they are pushed out from the block...not flat, as they should be. I am going to check with the motor mount maker tomorrow to see if I can grind down the relief bump in the pre-load plate. That should allow the mount to pull in and allow the motor to drop down to the mounting plates on the chassis.
ls2ultima said:
I seem to recall also that you are using the G50/52 transaxle which puts the engine 25mm further forward than normal. Have you already allowed for this with your mounts?
Not sure. I told the factory I would be using a 50/52, so I hope they gave me the right stuff. If not, we'll make it work somehow.
ls2ultima said:
I will watch with interest because you are about a week in front of me with your build and I have been concerned about the mounts in particular.
The mounts were a big concern for me, too. Maybe I was over-concerned, but no need for the cutting torch unless ABSOLUTELY necessary. Still have lots of measuring to do after the mounts are squared away...

Just a week ahead!? You will probably catch and pass me in a week! Of course, I will continue to post the details.
ls2ultima said:
Please tell me have you given much thought to your airbox? Theres plenty of airbox options for the guys running carbies but I havnt seen much for the LS series install.
Uhhhh, not really...well, a little. I figured I would make one. I figured I could get some styrofoam, balsa wood, or sheet metal, shape it, glass it (or use CF), and have something custom. Like everything...it's no doubt easier said than done.

-- Scott

ezakimak

1,871 posts

265 months

Monday 13th February 2006
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Know exactly how you feel.
Have been digging holes to put stumps, plumbing and electricity conduits into the ground for my house renovation. 3 cubic meters of concrete wall have been cut out of the house using a 16” diamond tipped blade and 90cc powered engine, floors have been ripped up as well. Only got some old cornices to remove and 1 toilet to shift and then I can start putting the house back together. Things always seem to take longer than expected and its only the first blister of the day that hurts, as the second and third seem to pail in to insignificants with the rest of the problems that get unearthed. I’ve been using the thought of having somewhere to build an Ultima as motivation. Id reckon that the bundle of stuff that you have in the shop would be some what of a distraction.

Please keep the skunk works esquire photos coming. (love the halogen lighting)

Boosted Ls1

21,200 posts

289 months

Monday 13th February 2006
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Hi Scott,

People do go racing with the electric pumps and haven't reported any bad things about them to me. That said, the davies craig item doesn't look very impressive but it seems to work. I think bosch have an item on the market and I'd expect that to be a quality piece of kit.

Boosted.

builder

Original Poster:

1,225 posts

271 months

Tuesday 14th February 2006
quotequote all
ezakimak said:
Know exactly how you feel.
Have been digging holes to put stumps, plumbing and electricity conduits into the ground for my house renovation...

Please keep the skunk works esquire photos coming. (love the halogen lighting)
Sounds like you are having a good time, too! More pictures coming. Send me some of your construction...

builder

Original Poster:

1,225 posts

271 months

Tuesday 14th February 2006
quotequote all
Boosted Ls1 said:
Hi Scott,

People do go racing with the electric pumps and haven't reported any bad things about them to me. That said, the davies craig item doesn't look very impressive but it seems to work. I think bosch have an item on the market and I'd expect that to be a quality piece of kit.

Boosted.
I tried a 35gpm Meizier(sp) on my LT-1 in the Impala. The results were not acceptable...the temp was going too high after a couple of laps and I had to sit out for the rest of the track day.

The Meizier is the only unit I have tried and it was a couple of years ago. Maybe there have been improvements, but I am very gun-shy from that experience. The pump was rather expensive, required a doner housing, and took lots of time to replace (twice).

Have the electric pump makers improved gpm flow? I figured if they make them RMP referenced, maybe with two speeds, it would be a big improvement.

chevtrev

785 posts

265 months

Tuesday 14th February 2006
quotequote all
builder said:
Boosted Ls1 said:
Hi Scott,

People do go racing with the electric pumps and haven't reported any bad things about them to me. That said, the davies craig item doesn't look very impressive but it seems to work. I think bosch have an item on the market and I'd expect that to be a quality piece of kit.

Boosted.
I tried a 35gpm Meizier(sp) on my LT-1 in the Impala. The results were not acceptable...the temp was going too high after a couple of laps and I had to sit out for the rest of the track day.

The Meizier is the only unit I have tried and it was a couple of years ago. Maybe there have been improvements, but I am very gun-shy from that experience. The pump was rather expensive, required a doner housing, and took lots of time to replace (twice).

Have the electric pump makers improved gpm flow? I figured if they make them RMP referenced, maybe with two speeds, it would be a big improvement.



Youv'e got me worried now.
I bought a Meziere,(can't remember the flowrate,but was the highest for a LS)and the techies at Summit said it would be ok.
Were fitting it to a LSX powered car this weekend for some track testing,if it goes tit's up atleast its not on my engine...

jellison

12,803 posts

306 months

Tuesday 14th February 2006
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How different is the LS7 sump (I know it is dry sump) compared to the LS2 - externally does not look "that" different? www.gmhightechperformance.com/features/0405htp_ls2/

Boosted Ls1

21,200 posts

289 months

Tuesday 14th February 2006
quotequote all
Thing with those Mezierre pumps is they rotate like an ordinary pump and are obstructive, there are still bends. I think the alternative 'inline' pumps are probably better. That's why I did my pump casting, I can use any outlet size I want.

Boosted.

builder

Original Poster:

1,225 posts

271 months

Tuesday 14th February 2006
quotequote all
jellison said:
How different is the LS7 sump (I know it is dry sump) compared to the LS2 - externally does not look "that" different? www.gmhightechperformance.com/features/0405htp_ls2/
I have never owned an LS2, so I can't speak from experience. The LS7 is an 8-quart system...about 3 in the tank and 5 in the engine and pan. The dry-sump oil pan is probably not quite as deep as the LS2.

builder

Original Poster:

1,225 posts

271 months

Tuesday 14th February 2006
quotequote all
chevtrev said:
Youv'e got me worried now.
I bought a Meziere,(can't remember the flowrate, but was the highest for a LS) and the techies at Summit said it would be ok. Were fitting it to a LSX powered car this weekend for some track testing, if it goes tit's up atleast its not on my engine...
All I can suggest is to keep your eyes glued on the temp for the first few laps. Maybe ask the folks in the roadrace forum at LS1Tech.com about using an electric water pump on the track.

The Meziere for the LT-1 required that it be installed into the stock pump housing. The engine temp was fine in regular driving, ran a little warmer in hot ambient temps, but couldn't handle the track. It was in for a couple of weeks before the track day event.

builder

Original Poster:

1,225 posts

271 months

Tuesday 14th February 2006
quotequote all
Boosted Ls1 said:
Thing with those Mezierre pumps is they rotate like an ordinary pump and are obstructive, there are still bends. I think the alternative 'inline' pumps are probably better. That's why I did my pump casting, I can use any outlet size I want.

Boosted.
I was looking at your website. It's been said that I am blind, but I couldn't find the pump info...

Boosted Ls1

21,200 posts

289 months

Tuesday 14th February 2006
quotequote all
builder said:
Boosted Ls1 said:
Thing with those Mezierre pumps is they rotate like an ordinary pump and are obstructive, there are still bends. I think the alternative 'inline' pumps are probably better. That's why I did my pump casting, I can use any outlet size I want.

Boosted.
I was looking at your website. It's been said that I am blind, but I couldn't find the pump info...


Here's a link to the casting which replaces the stock pump. I can shorten the nose quite a bit. The casting waterways are as large as the gasket holes and the block could be ported to suit.

www.chevroletls1.com/ls16_custom_eng_parts.html

In the text there is a link to the davies craig electric pump. I'm assuming the link still works but I think there are other pumps out there now. We can chat about this off line if you like.

Boosted.

builder

Original Poster:

1,225 posts

271 months

Wednesday 15th February 2006
quotequote all
Dyno sheet at the bottom of the page. Graph coming... This engine made 400 lb/ft starting at around 2400 rpm!

-- Scott

jellison

12,803 posts

306 months

Wednesday 15th February 2006
quotequote all
builder said:
Dyno sheet at the bottom of the page. Graph coming... This engine made 400 lb/ft starting at around 2400 rpm!

-- Scott
That is Awesome - but how come so far over the std 505bhp (or 512)? Just the way it is measured - is this std motor.

Answered my sump question:-LS2 (or 6 with the wings lopped off!)

LS7 dry


Two good articles here - LS2 derived from LS6 (6 and 2 have better gallery breathing, high lift cam)
www.gmhightechperformance.com/features/0405htp_ls2/

and LS7 (Nuts!)
Whooa Boy...
http://superchevy.com/technical/engin

ps - all american - just say no to James Blunt!