Your thoughts please

**paulrees866** · 05-30-2016, 01:53 PM

I have an opportunity to buy a 2002 WS6 Trans Am with barely 62,000 miles on it. Car is absolutely beautiful. Very well taken care of till owner's teenage son blew up the LS1 under the hood. Took daddy's car without permission. I don't know what he did to destroy the engine, owner just says engine needs to be replaced. I am not a factory stock kind of guy. I have built many hot rods in my life, but just don't know alot about the LS engines. What do you recommend ??? LSA, LSX, LS7 ??? Cam ??? Heads (TrickFlow) ??? Headers ??? I want a high performance street machine. Needs to be reliable enough for road trips, as well as daily driver duty. Car will be built pro-touring style. I want it to be able to go on the power tour if I could. I would love alot more get up and go then a factory stock vehicle. Just asking opinions. What would you look into for my application ???

**pajeff02** · 05-30-2016, 05:01 PM

Easiest build is to drop in a 6.0 truck engine and swap over the intake and other associated parts. Be careful as the older engines run a 24x reluctor on the crank and the newer ones are 58x. If you go LS3, they make a conversion unit that allows you to run the 58x with the stock PCM.

Maybe take a look at what you have first though. Could be he just over revved it and bent some pushrods... but a spun rod bearing isn't unheard of.

**paulrees866** · 05-30-2016, 11:09 PM

Not worried about the computer. Figuring on replacing / reprogramming anyways. Really thinking LS7 with aftermarket heads, cam, and intake/fuel injection system. Any recommendations for after market heads ??? TrickFlow ??? Planning on automatic transmission, as I've gotten older I don't want to have to shift constantly, LOL.

**pajeff02** · 05-31-2016, 03:04 AM

LS7 in and of itself would be very potent. You'll need a built 4L60E or 4L80E, preferably the latter which does have some fitment issues. Not a clue as to the more modern auto transmissions.

**0rion** · 05-31-2016, 07:42 AM

personally if I was in your position I would go forced induction

***SMWS6TA*** · 05-31-2016, 11:24 AM

With the cost of getting and putting in a LS7 I agree with Tim.

5.3 or 6.0 truck block built right with a Turbo or Super charger will net a very nice hp/tq bump and won't cost nearly as much as a LS7 install and work.

Also regarding what Jeff said about a 58x to 24x converter, It's much cheaper to get a 24x reluctor wheel and pull the crank out of what ever you get and have a engine machine shop swap them out. The convertor box goes for $550 the last time I saw it's price. May have come down but I highly doubt it.

**Naaman** · 05-31-2016, 05:52 PM

If you have the cash for an LS7 swap, that would be what I'd do, honestly. If you're going with Auto, I'd also be inclined to see if I could fit one of the newer 6-speed autos behind it... though I'd personally go for a T56 Magnum.