What are the swap alternatives to the LS1 for 02 SS

**Last Ranger** · 11-20-2016, 09:06 AM

I am exploring alternatives for my 02 SS. This is a Open Road Race Car (and street driver); some of the courses demand a little more horsepower. The old LS1 has been very faithful However . .
What would be the options in the range of 400 RWHP?
I want to keep my SS hood .
If I was a gazillionaire I would try to shoehorn in an LS7, but alas I am not.
The trans is a monster cage, so it's ok, rear end is fresh, it's good.
Don't ask me what color it is, if it has a million watt speaker system.
I need to know what others have done, cost, problems, successes, ECM, etc.
Thanks in advance,
Last Ranger
PS. if there is another thread for this, please advise - I didn't see it.

***SMWS6TA*** · 11-20-2016, 09:23 AM

As long as the block is still good, going to a 383 stroker, a set of aftermarket heads and a cam spec for your desire output would go very far.

I have a buddy running a 383 that is just at 500 to the wheels thru a 9" rear.

**Naaman** · 11-21-2016, 01:23 AM

So, no LS7... what is your budget?

**tomcamaro97** · 11-29-2016, 01:04 PM

did you know..... GM actually put an LS7 in about 100 of these cars... it was a very limit production release.. but none the less ... they fit....

***SMWS6TA*** · 11-29-2016, 01:33 PM

GM only produce the following with a LS7

2006–2013 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
2008 Spada Codatronca
2013 Corvette 427 Convertible
2007 CSV GTS
2008 HSV W427
2012 New Zealand V8SuperTourer
2014-2015 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
Vertical Hummingbird helicopter - yes that's right a helicopter....
2012–present Falcon F7
2014 Korres P4

However with enough $$$, skill, and determination you can put anything in something.

***SMWS6TA*** · 11-29-2016, 01:41 PM

Now I did find this, but it was soley a test vehicle not a production vehicle.

So yes a LS7 can be shoehorn into a 4th gen. My previous post still applies to $$, skill & determination.

1999 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 - GM High Tech Perfomance

**Last Ranger** · 11-30-2016, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

Now I did find this, but it was soley a test vehicle not a production vehicle.

So yes a LS7 can be shoehorn into a 4th gen. My previous post still applies to $$, skill & determination.

1999 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 - GM High Tech Perfomance

Sorry for being off line for a while (holidays etc.)
I'm looking at around $5 grand. I'm not going to do the build (owned a performance shop for years but not now- built many HP motors mostly aimed at drag applications, a couple of oval track, and one dry lake purpose build record holder).
I no longer have the facilities to do engine builds

The decision now is whether to build this block, stroker or purchase a short block.
still looking.

***SMWS6TA*** · 11-30-2016, 12:43 PM

For that much you can get a mean short block that you'll just need to add heads and intake.

If you where doing it yourself I'd say find a 6.0 Liter block and bore to 4.005" or 4.030".

now you have several stroker options:

for the 4.005" with a 4" crank you got a 403ci
for the 4.030" with a 4" crank you got a 408ci.

And if you want some real fun 4.030" with a 4.125" crank you got a 421ci.

Match it with a good set of aftermarket heads and intake you got a serious monster.

Then again with 5k you could get a solid turbo system on your LS1 and have 700+ depending on boost.

We have a TA in my area running a 5.3 with turbo putting out well north of 700 to the wheels.

You have a lot of possibilities.

**Last Ranger** · 11-30-2016, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

Now I did find this, but it was soley a test vehicle not a production vehicle.

So yes a LS7 can be shoehorn into a 4th gen. My previous post still applies to $$, skill & determination.

1999 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 - GM High Tech Perfomance

Good article - thanks. I was a bit surprised to see no reference to fuel pump issues - maybe the stock pump works ok?

***SMWS6TA*** · 11-30-2016, 01:18 PM

Oh hell no. They had to have had to added a better pump. Most likely a dual pump setup with bigger injectors.

My 403 requires 42lb injectors and for now my Racetronix is good enough. My next engine upgrade I'll most likely need a bigger pump.

**Naaman** · 12-01-2016, 08:01 AM

Is the LS7 really any "bigger" than an LS1? I generally thought that the LS7 was basically a bored/stroked Gen III/IV engine...?

***SMWS6TA*** · 12-01-2016, 07:43 PM

LS1 = 347 ci

LS7 = 421ci

**Naaman** · 12-02-2016, 01:26 PM

But does the LS7 take up any more space under the hood? Isn't it an LSx block bored/stroked?

***SMWS6TA*** · 12-02-2016, 03:35 PM

no more than a LS3 or 6.0 liter blocks.

What makes LS7 tricky to deal with is the oil system.

**Naaman** · 12-02-2016, 09:55 PM

Ah.... now it makes sense to me.

**Last Ranger** · 12-05-2016, 05:31 AM

Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

Oh hell no. They had to have had to added a better pump. Most likely a dual pump setup with bigger injectors.

My 403 requires 42lb injectors and for now my Racetronix is good enough. My next engine upgrade I'll most likely need a bigger pump.

Those were my thoughts; I have a Powerdyne with an inline booster pump that kicks in above 4#.