LS Engine Builder

[eyecell007]

Toying with the idea of going with an LS3 or LS7 in my Chevelle. I also like the idea of going twin turbo. Does anybody know of a good engine builder who knows turbo motors well? The only one I know of is Nelson Racing Engines and I'm not sure I want to take on a second mortgage by going with them. Thanks guys.

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[bikrboy128]

speedinc has done some really nice swaps.

 

[Pillion88]

Swapping the stock LS could be done in your garage with basic tools, so save your money and do that part yourself. Now FI applications should be done by professionals unfortunately the best boosted LSx shop is located in Columbus GA Owned by a dear friend of mine. OUTLAWZ performance.

 

[willizm]

I brought my short block into speed Inc to have it honed, decked and forged. Even then they send it out to a local builder they contract through. Send a pm to Larry@ams. He'd be the perfect guy to talk to especially since he's local.

 

[CrunkMaro]

ams > speed inc...


(hi larry)


ls3? are you talking about an ls3 or a budget ls3?

get a 6liter block, freshen up the bottom end, forged rods/pistons, ls3 heads and intake,nice custom turbo cam. nice TB throw a 76mm on it with 18lbs and call it a day.

 

[JDHedman]

Get in touch with Larry at AMS

 

[eyecell007]

I am planning on doing the install myself but would prefer to buy an already assembled motor than build that myself. I've rebuilt enough engines to know small mistakes can cause major problems and would rather not do that with an expensive motor like this.

Forgive my ignorance but what/who is AMS?

 

[JDHedman]

http://www.thechicagogarage.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=124

http://www.thechicagogarage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=51371

http://www.amsperformance.com/

 

[willizm]

AMS is better known in the import world, but they do serious stuff. Now that Larry is at AMS they are starting to take on the LSx market. Had Larry defected to AMS sooner I may have went through them for my shortblock build.

 

[daturbosix]

motor doesnt really need to be "built" for a mild turbo setup.

give me a call, and we can discuss more.

 

[Eagle]

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/force...90ci-now-callies-dragonslayer-crankshaft.html

AES RACING. They're local too!

 

[OffshoreDrilling]

i believe AES out of elk grove village does all of Speed Inc's machine work. correct me if im wrong. Id also suggest T&T race engines out of Gurnee.

 

[79vette]

5.3 liter ls motors can make killer power too, with turbos, cubes isnt everything. In fact I am gonna probably build a 5.3 block over a 6.0 block I have in my shop for my turbo small block project in the works.

 

[LSx S10]

In the most recent hot rod, they made almost 1200hp with a 4.8. Two ebay turbos, mild head work, and stock bottom end. Just saying...

 

[10sec]

AMS made 1200+hp out of a 2.1ltr (i think?) so clearly, there is a replacement for displacement.... you just have to wait for it

 

[Eagle]

Heres the skinny:

The goal of the test was to test the true limits of the LM7, which is the 5.3L truck engine based on the LSx series engines. Pretty much an LS1 with an iron block in a nutshell.

They picked up what they thought was an 5.3L LM7 but, as they found out after the testing was over, it was actually a 4.8L LR4 which is the smallest of the LSx based iron truck engines. One phenomenal part about the engine was the #8 cylinder had a large rust spot etched in it that their hone wouldn't remove....they left it there.

For the top end they upgraded to 2" intake valves, stock exhaust valves and did a very mild port job on the heads. Flow numbers went from 220/220 to 300/220 cfm on the intake and exhaust respectively. ARP studs with Fel-Pro MLS gaskets kept the heads down. A mild Comp Cams cam was installed along with the supplied lifters, pushrods, springs and rockers remained stock. A FAST LSXR intake was installed as well with a big TB.

The short block(except the cam) was all stock. Even the original bearings and rings that were on the motor when it was purchased were reused. They even sanded the rust off the #8 rings and reused them!

Fueling was handled by 75 lbs/hr injectors and upgraded fuel rails. It was run on Rockett 118.

The two turbochargers were CXracing 76mm units run off of flipped shorty truck headers(no name brand headers).

The engine was run for SIXTY dyno pulls over half of which were claimed to be at 1000+ hp. In it's final trim, in between 26 and 27psi, the engine produced just over 1200hp. What stopped the testing was not engine failure but an ignition failure(all sensors and electrical components like the ignition were stock). The engine was 100% a-ok by the end of the testing.

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

In the most recent hot rod, they made almost 1200hp with a 4.8. Two ebay turbos, mild head work, and stock bottom end. Just saying...

On accident too



Mike there's better drivability with a 1200hp 4.8 v8 vs a 1200hp 2.1 I4. People forget that. Plus each cylinder is doing half the work on the v8 vs the I4

 

[10sec]

Yea, i know, i thought it would be funny.

 

[CrunkMaro]

tom is correct.

you aren't building a crazy aftermarket motor.

i like 6.0s cause they are bigger bore---i can use ls3 stuff on em.

5.3s have performed amazingly in turbo applications over and over.

 

[turtleman]

On this subject, I'm just wondering is there some reason why you shouldn't do a stroker setup with turbos or is it just financially inefficient?

 

[Pillion88]

Well if your just looking for some one to make you a motor for you to throw in shoot an email to the boys at Texas-speed.com or ERL.com both have great customer service. You'll get your motor back from Texas- speed first though because ERL is pretty backed up right now. LS2 454 LS3 heads fast 102 NW 102 TB 4/4 race cam and you'll have plenty of power for your goat. ALL MOTOR ALL THE TIME

 

[eyecell007]

Thanks for the suggestions. Speed is not the issue here as I'd probably do the install over the winter at the earliest. Just trying to do my research now.

 

[CrunkMaro]

On this subject, I'm just wondering is there some reason why you shouldn't do a stroker setup with turbos or is it just financially inefficient?

you should. but most people don't...its not necessary for 95% of people. you can handle 1k hp with a lq4 block, forged pistons and rods.

with a stroker comes the issues of having the stroker breath...high flow intakes, throttle bodies, cams, springs.

it'll make a shit ton more power and handle more boost...

but it'll cost you thousands.

 

[Larry@AMS]

There is plenty of good suggestions here. The main question here is what are your goals? The stock 5.3 / 6.0 can hold some good power in FI form with a proper combo and good tune.

many stock shorts with cam and valvetrain upgrades making 600+ rwhp

Speed uses a close friends shop ( which did my LTJunk) as well as AES. We would look at using AES in most cases ourselves for Lsx builds.

feel free to call or email me anytime if you have any questions

[email protected]
630-549-8919

thanks for the referrals guys

 

[eyecell007]

Larry - PM sent. Thanks