LS7 Build manual recommendation
LS7 Build manual recommendation
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Discussion

Swiss_Toni

Original Poster:

412 posts

212 months

Friday 2nd April 2010
quotequote all
Does any one have a recommendation on an engine build manuals for hi performance LS7's? The latest and greatest of course would be best.

It would also be good if anyone had an idea where to get it.

738 driver

1,202 posts

222 months

Friday 2nd April 2010
quotequote all
Im not aware of any specific book on ls7 performance building Tony.
There are several which cover rebuilding 'LS series' in general.
All the LS motors seem to respond well to improved heads, exhaust, cams and tune, the 7 included. The first problem you will encounter with your chosen model is the limit of its internals, TI rods, stock crank, etc......if you are planning a serious power increase that is. However there are lots of excellent aftermarket bits to assist.
Building from a block up might be a cheaper overall option than modifying a new crate motor as many of the factory parts will be replaced for higher power levels.
Alternatively get a crate motor and fit a centrifugal blower, you can gear it for several power configurations, by merely changing a pulley and flashing the ecu with the correct tune!
Good luck.

GTRCLIVE

4,193 posts

312 months

Friday 2nd April 2010
quotequote all
If you want a 600bhp ls7 then that's just a cam and a remap. If you want a 700bhp then Jeff recommends new pistons rods and valve springs etc.... I'm going for the 600+ at present, but may upgrade to 700 later.

GTRCLIVE

4,193 posts

312 months

ROWDYRENAULT

1,294 posts

243 months

Friday 2nd April 2010
quotequote all
Hi guys: Nils Castilo, who built my LS1 for me, builds LS motors as 90% of his bis. In his support of Paris/ Dakar Baja and other off road events he has several big dollar customers that require 750 plus HP from LS based motors. In the last three years I have watched as they have gone from LS based to LSX TO C5R and now to the RHS block. He and his customers have settled on the RHS as the most cost effective alloy block for a LS build up. I don't know the final dollar amount that has been spent getting to this conclusion but it looked at times to me like it was being funded by the Department of Defense. Lee

Swiss_Toni

Original Poster:

412 posts

212 months

Friday 2nd April 2010
quotequote all
I've already got the engine (it's a Peter Knight), I just wanted a reference book to know more about it and things like torque figures and assembly techniques when I need to do maintenance.

I had spotted the LS series engine book but I didn't know how much of the LS 7, if any, it covered. Does any one have it / know?

Greg

738 driver

1,202 posts

222 months

Friday 2nd April 2010
quotequote all
That being the case its quite possible Peter will have used non-standard fastenings in critical areas so reference material on stock motors will be of little use for torque settings etc......better to ask your engine builder for this info.
For general info on LS rebuilds there are several books available on Amazon.

Boosted LS1

21,200 posts

289 months

Friday 2nd April 2010
quotequote all
If rods have been changed and head studs fitted then look to the manufacturer of those parts for torque data. It's normal to remove the stock Ti rods as well as switching to forged pistons in higher performance applications but this depends on your hp goal. I like the stock cranks though, they seem very good.

GTRCLIVE

4,193 posts

312 months

Saturday 3rd April 2010
quotequote all
RHS Blocks ?? tell me more

ROWDYRENAULT

1,294 posts

243 months

Sunday 4th April 2010
quotequote all
Clive: RHS stands for Racing Haed Service web site is listed as www.racingheadservice.com. Bottom line, bigger badder LS block. It appears to me that if someone wanted to build the killer motor for a Ultima this block and the heads offered by RHS would be the starting point. Take a look Clive and see what you think. Lee