Engine Poll

[WildBillyT]

Somebody asked me what I was going to do engine-wise in the future. To be honest, I'm not really sure since it's years away. But just to spark discussion and see what you guys think, pick from the above. Chassis will be a '69 Camaro set up like a vintage Trans Am car, engine will be backed by a T56/9" rear.

[ar0ck]

427 Small Block, no need to add the weight of a big block when theres LSx engines in such large cube sizes that are a fraction of the weight, and still have awesome power potential. And it can all be set up just like original, carbed, minimal wiring.

[Tru2Chevy]

I vote 302, with modern heads / intake / cam. Should make for a real screamer.

- Justin

[BonzoHansen]

You appear to be building a street fighter type deal (ie not a drag car, etc). All aluminum gen III/IV motor. Buy for the weight savings, stay for the RPM.

[Rich189]

Really like anything else in life depends on your budget. But since your setting it up like a trans am car id stay with a all aluim small block. On a budget maybe a 402 ls2 either carbed or fi... if not maybe do a 427 or 454 using a war hawk or dart block

[BonzoHansen]

If budget matters, then what do you already own? In my case, I have nothing, so buying a complete pullout was cost effective.

[GP99GT]

ford 302 stroked to a 347

[trashman01]

get a chevy 302

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

If budget matters, then what do you already own? In my case, I have nothing, so buying a complete pullout was cost effective.

I own subframe motor mounts. Maybe a clutch pivot ball. LOL. I was planning on building my 454 parts into a 427, but a screaming 302 seems cooler for some reason. I do not have the budget for this especially since I don't even have a solid rolling chassis yet. But my company is having a really awesome year so far...

[Ian]

my vote is for a BIG inch small block. the 302 seems like it would be really fun, but it takes a lot of RPM to get the most out of them. the big block would be great for cruising around, but its got a lot of weight. build the biggest small block you can afford and have fun!

[bubba428]

how about a 327 or 350 with heads, cam, headers in take and a decent carb. your not going to need monster HP for a trans am car but that'll still have plenty of umph to get around.

[IROCdan330]

Originally Posted by Tru2Chevy

I vote 302, with modern heads / intake / cam. Should make for a real screamer.

- Justin

Agreed...

[jims69camaro]

big inch small block. the parts are out there in quantity and quality like stock 350 stuff, so why not get what you want? set a budget and hit it, whether you go crate motor or build your own/have a shop build you one.

i've been sitting on my 402 for so long that it almost makes sense to sell it and get a crate motor for the kind of abuse i was going to give it.

[qwikz28]

we don't have enough info:

If it will be getting alot of mileage and or it will be a corner carver of sort, go for a gen III/IV and enjoy the perks of aluminum and fuel injection

the only carbed motors i have been in have been a cammed 327 (big jons chevelle) and my buddies stock zz4 in a chevelle. i wont offer input on the small block vs big block thing cause i am not familiar with big blocks. all i know is i don't care for them. too much power for me! i don't even use all i have on tap in my ls1!

[johnjzjz]

the best little motor for a SBC combo is by far a flat piston 3 5/8 stroke X 4.125 bore + just under 398 CU its a killer combo it revs like a 302 and has the Horsepower of a 427 with the torque of a small big block - that is of coarse with the right selected parts - get alloy 64cc heads BUT have who ever CNC the combustion chambers to like 68 CC by doing that you get the flow of a unshrouded valve set up ported head with out the cost and anyones head responds to this as its a selected machining operation -- you asked need more info if you take this advise i can and will help -- jz

[procamaroz28]

383 stroker with mean cam

[jims69camaro]

Originally Posted by johnjzjz

the best little motor for a SBC combo is by far a flat piston 3 5/8 stroke X 4.125 bore + just under 398 CU its a killer combo it revs like a 302 and has the Horsepower of a 427 with the torque of a small big block - that is of coarse with the right selected parts - get alloy 64cc heads BUT have who ever CNC the combustion chambers to like 68 CC by doing that you get the flow of a unshrouded valve set up ported head with out the cost and anyones head responds to this as its a selected machining operation -- you asked need more info if you take this advise i can and will help -- jz

hell, i'd like to know more about this motor...

[BonzoHansen]

Originally Posted by johnjzjz

the best little motor for a SBC combo is by far a flat piston 3 5/8 stroke X 4.125 bore + just under 398 CU its a killer combo it revs like a 302 and has the Horsepower of a 427 with the torque of a small big block - that is of coarse with the right selected parts - get alloy 64cc heads BUT have who ever CNC the combustion chambers to like 68 CC by doing that you get the flow of a unshrouded valve set up ported head with out the cost and anyones head responds to this as its a selected machining operation -- you asked need more info if you take this advise i can and will help -- jz

I've been advised of a similar setup for when the time comes. Must be an omen. Hmmm....

[DaSkinnyGuy]

LQ4 iron block its 364c.i. weighs 60lbs more than a LS2 aluminium block but can handle more power and is a great block if you want to boost it. can bolt up LS1,LS2,Ls6,L92 and i believe LS7 heads not sure about LS3 heads, car can be carberatued or EFI. The Lq4 block can be bored out to 414c.i max. many people turn these in 408 strokers. with the added 60lbs of the iron you can boost the car with out worryin about breakin it.

LQ4 carbed motor

http://youtube.com/watch?v=wdgaJU1ly2I

Here is an LQ4 iron block motor

http://youtube.com/watch?v=O9qt0pr2kE0

480hp with an LQ4 block for $3,775

http://www.carcraft.com/projectbuild...ock/index.html

P.S. you can find a cheap LQ4 block for $800-$1,200 and build it up for around $4grand, not a bad deal, you save alot

[Mike]

i dont think ls7 heads fit on any of the other lsx blocks and since he didnt say anything about forced induction, i doubt he needs the extra weight.........

billy, what about a gen3 based 302....THAT would be fun
http://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread...&highlight=302

5.3 crank in a ls1 block

[BigAls87Z28]

LS7/L92 heads will fit on anything with a 4 inch bore in the Gen III/IV family, so the LQ4/9 and LS2 blocks will work. Car Craft did an awesome build using STOCK L92 heads that flow something evil, with a decent cam, making 500hp easy on pump gas, and for under 5 grand. This was also carb'ed...

377 would be a coo idea too, would rev higher and have a the 400's larger bore, similar to what John was talking about.

Of course, if you are gunna stick to the strict rules of Trans Am, in a 69...its gotta be 302. A Gen III 302 would be fun to build too, but realy...I would just spend the money on a high po Gen III/IV.
The LS2 comes carbed as a crate engine.

[Mike]

ls7 heads need a 4.125 bore, there are aftermarket ls7 style heads for a 4 inch bore, but not the oem heads

[JL8Jeff]

I'd go with a 383 small block. You get the extra tark of the longer stroke and none of the hassles of the big block like bad gas mileage.

[Mike]

yeah but, 383 is played out

[BigAls87Z28]

Originally Posted by cbrrmike

ls7 heads need a 4.125 bore, there are aftermarket ls7 style heads for a 4 inch bore, but not the oem heads

Hrm...the L92 heads they put on was deff a LQ4.
L92 and LS7 heads are very similar...LS7 gets different intake angle, and CNC ported, but flow numbers are very similar.