LSX376 crate motor, built LSX 416 Short block or LS3 converted L99???

[Fiftydriver]

Tell me if the LSX376 crate motor would be a good choice for a high boost application using a Maggie. Just tossing ideas around in my head right now trying to plan the next upgrade.

I am looking to get into the 650-700 RWHP range, will not be a strip or track car, street only with some aggressive play at times but no strip duty.

If the LSX376 is built as well as the factory LS3 or L99 motors, I do not see why it would be a great choice but looking for guidance here. It would be esy as hell to click ORDER NOW for an LSX376 and have it delievered then to have a builder ask me 500 questions that I do not really have the experience to answer.

Other option I was thinking about was sending a new LSX block to JRE racing and have them machine and fit their 416 stroker kit to it with their smooth idle blower cam. Then I could just slap on my L99 heads once I swapped out the needed valve train parts to the better LS3 parts and top off with my current maggie.

Which is a better way to go.

Other option is just throwing in a Smooth idle blower cam with LS3 conversion on my L99 but with boost over 12 psi that makes me a bit nervous......

Your thoughts and opinions please.

[Fiftydriver]

Obviously with any of these looking to get into the 650-700 RWHP range there would be fuel pump and injector upgrades, thats a given, looking for the best bottom end option for the money and longevity.

Not looking for the CHEAPEST, looking for best bang for the buck for power and long term life overall.

[victoryred1ss]

Have you already installed the JRE smooth idle cam?

[BullF-16]

In my opinion option 2 is the best by far. The LSX376 is a better built bottom end but having Jannetty custom build you a short block is the much better route to go. Only down side is it will probably take a while till you get to enjoy it.

[JLE58]

I would just send the l99 block in and let them build it. You only looking for 650-700 so you dont need 6 bolt block so you will just be adding more weight for nothing IMHO if you go with the lsx.

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by BullF-16

In my opinion option 2 is the best by far. The LSX376 is a better built bottom end but having Jannetty custom build you a short block is the much better route to go. Only down side is it will probably take a while till you get to enjoy it.

Actually I have JRE 416 Engines already built, at least until someone sees this post

The added weight of the Iron block and the Forged pistons are the only difference between your stock LS3 and the LSX 376.

[JLE58]

Originally Posted by JANNETTYRACING

Actually I have JRE 416 Engines already built, at least until someone sees this post

The added weight of the Iron block and the Forged pistons are the only difference between your stock LS3 and the LSX 376.

There ya go.. That was Easy!

[speedster]

In my <.02,

Go with the JRE 416. A specific built engine is the only way

[Pro Stock John]

This engine looks interesting:

Part # 19171049, Boost on a budget! That’s what you get with the new LSX376. GM Performance Parts takes the economical LSX Bowtie standard-deck block, adds blower-friendly 9.0:1 forged pistons and combines them with the LS3’s high-flow heads to create an affordable foundation for supercharged and turbocharged combinations. We deliver the LSX376 without an intake manifold and other accessories to keep the price lower and enable the installer to tailor the induction system to suit the blower or turbo system. Swap in the LSX376 in a vehicle originally equipped with an LS engine to give it a stronger bottom end for forced induction, or swap it into a street rod or classic muscle car body for a modern update. Our baseline horsepower and torque ratings are based on testing with the production-style, normally aspirated injection system. There’s no telling how much power you can realize with a carefully tuned turbo or supercharger system! NOTE: Due to the number of application variations, the LSX376 crate engine does not include an oil pan. See the LS Engine Components section for production-style oil pan choices. Also, the LSX376 valve covers do not include provisions for mounting the ignition coil brackets. Aftermarket or custom relocation brackets must be sourced.

[1 bad azz ls3]

Dude ted just answered your question...

[camslambam]

You're going to drop $10k+ in motor to just run 650-700rwhp....?

You can do that reliably with your current motor if you just cam it/ls3 conversion.

[JLE58]

I would build it for sure if i planned on staying over 650 hp..

[camslambam]

I'm sure you're stock engine will hold 700rwhp if you run good fuel and have good tuning. Maybe throw meth for safety.

I'm going to go with Ted's stroker kit to up the boost. Just look at superchargedss car.....

You're going to dump a whole lot of money to obtain small numbers that can be attained with your current block.

[old motorhead]

Two things would push me away from the LSX376. Heavy assed iron block and lower than optimum compression ratio. Powdered metal connecting rods are nothing to get excited about either. Build what you have, or if you're in a hurry, buy one already built and use yours for the core. I'd stick to stock cubes too. With a TVS2300, you're a bit limited on how much air the blower can move. Bigger cubes can make a little more power on less boost. A properly built 376 won't be much behind a 416 if you're using the same Maggie TVS2300. Smaller motor will pass a few more gas stations too

[Chris82xx]

So what are the benefits to having a 416 over a built LS3 with a centri blower?

[Fiftydriver]

Originally Posted by victoryred1ss

Have you already installed the JRE smooth idle cam?

No, was going to do the install when I did the LS3 conversion but I keep thinking about getting a stouter bottom end JUST IN CASE. New cam will go in at the same time I do the conversion OR replace the bottom end so it will be an easy install if I do a new short block.

[Fiftydriver]

Originally Posted by BullF-16

In my opinion option 2 is the best by far. The LSX376 is a better built bottom end but having Jannetty custom build you a short block is the much better route to go. Only down side is it will probably take a while till you get to enjoy it.

Well, I would agree with you completely, this is why I am trying to plan this for a winter project. Up here in Montana, we can have 6-8 months where the camaro is tucked in nice and safe in the shop so that would be when the swap would go down, either way. Then be ready for tuning next spring. Just trying to make the best decision for the money and my needs.

[Fiftydriver]

Originally Posted by JANNETTYRACING

Actually I have JRE 416 Engines already built, at least until someone sees this post

The added weight of the Iron block and the Forged pistons are the only difference between your stock LS3 and the LSX 376.

That would be great but not quite ready financially to pull the trigger, maybe when the time comes that will still be an option with another build. Last time I talked with you you had another 416 sitting there waiting to go to a good home but it was built for hard core use and a bit out of my price range, let me rephrase that, it was a bit out of this MARRIED GUYS price range if I still want to remain MARRIED!!!

Tell me this, would you rather rebuild my L99 into a 416 or would you rather use a new LSX376 block to start with? Your opinion of course VERY much respected.

[JLE58]

I would just do good pistons and rods, stock crank.

[Fiftydriver]

Originally Posted by old motorhead

Two things would push me away from the LSX376. Heavy assed iron block and lower than optimum compression ratio. Powdered metal connecting rods are nothing to get excited about either. Build what you have, or if you're in a hurry, buy one already built and use yours for the core. I'd stick to stock cubes too. With a TVS2300, you're a bit limited on how much air the blower can move. Bigger cubes can make a little more power on less boost. A properly built 376 won't be much behind a 416 if you're using the same Maggie TVS2300. Smaller motor will pass a few more gas stations too

I have heard this as well, easier to make higher boost with smaller cubes so that is also a consideration...... Thanks for your input

[Fiftydriver]

Originally Posted by camslambam

I'm sure you're stock engine will hold 700rwhp if you run good fuel and have good tuning. Maybe throw meth for safety.

I'm going to go with Ted's stroker kit to up the boost. Just look at superchargedss car.....

You're going to dump a whole lot of money to obtain small numbers that can be attained with your current block.

I know the L99 is a totally different beast when you convert to the LS3 valvetrain conversion but for some reason I just get nervous upping the boost on a stock L99. I know it has been done and done well, especially for street cars but I tend to prefer to have things that offer alot more margin of safety then needed....... That is my main way of thinking.

Jamies car has ALOT of extras that I likely would not do, such as the major maggie upgrades. May be better to stick to the sub 400 cubes area so that the Maggie can keep the pressures up into the range I am wanting.

Maybe the best idea would be to get a new stock LS3 block and have Ted rebuild it with forged bottom end all around set up for mid teen boost. That would be cheaper and lighter then the LSX custom build anyway and by the sounds of it plenty strong.

One thing that worries me is that when I started, I thought 400 HP would be plenty for me, then 450 HP felt like a good jump in power with the normal bolt ons and Teds tune. Then 500 HP came and went, now in the low to mid 600 crank HP range and while its fun as hell, I think that the 800 Crank HP range would be just about right.......... I know slippery slope.

So what happens if I rebuild my L99 376, get 800 crank HP and decide I need more later, will that block handle it or would the LSX be better JUST IN CASE you want to get crazy down the road. Right now I have no plans on running the car on the track but who knows 10 years from now, probably not but who knows. Just do not want to invest this amount of money just to outgrow it.

Want something that is flexible if plans change down the road, maybe the LS3 block rebuilt with smaller cubes is the way to go for now. Likely would be more then enough to scare the HELL out of me, at least for a while!!

Thanks for your imput, picture is starting to get clearer from all your replies, thanks.

Teds going to build the engine, thats not an option, he will be doing the tune as well, just need to decide what parts to send his way!!!

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by Fiftydriver

I know the L99 is a totally different beast when you convert to the LS3 valvetrain conversion but for some reason I just get nervous upping the boost on a stock L99. I know it has been done and done well, especially for street cars but I tend to prefer to have things that offer alot more margin of safety then needed....... That is my main way of thinking.

Jamies car has ALOT of extras that I likely would not do, such as the major maggie upgrades. May be better to stick to the sub 400 cubes area so that the Maggie can keep the pressures up into the range I am wanting.

Maybe the best idea would be to get a new stock LS3 block and have Ted rebuild it with forged bottom end all around set up for mid teen boost. That would be cheaper and lighter then the LSX custom build anyway and by the sounds of it plenty strong.

One thing that worries me is that when I started, I thought 400 HP would be plenty for me, then 450 HP felt like a good jump in power with the normal bolt ons and Teds tune. Then 500 HP came and went, now in the low to mid 600 crank HP range and while its fun as hell, I think that the 800 Crank HP range would be just about right.......... I know slippery slope.

So what happens if I rebuild my L99 376, get 800 crank HP and decide I need more later, will that block handle it or would the LSX be better JUST IN CASE you want to get crazy down the road. Right now I have no plans on running the car on the track but who knows 10 years from now, probably not but who knows. Just do not want to invest this amount of money just to outgrow it.

Want something that is flexible if plans change down the road, maybe the LS3 block rebuilt with smaller cubes is the way to go for now. Likely would be more then enough to scare the HELL out of me, at least for a while!!

Thanks for your imput, picture is starting to get clearer from all your replies, thanks.

Teds going to build the engine, thats not an option, he will be doing the tune as well, just need to decide what parts to send his way!!!

I will ship you a complete LS3 416 Long block you install it and ship me your L99

[Pro Stock John]

If you want to turn it up forged pistons are a good idea. They can take more abuse. Stock rings can become a problem if you keep pushing it.

[JLE58]

Op a fully built unit like Ted is sending you will hold alot of power. Alot more than that Maggie will make. I wouldn't worry about the strenght of the block it wont be an issue. Just give Ted a call I'm sure he can explain everything you need on the phone in about 5 minutes.

[Fiftydriver]

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John

If you want to turn it up forged pistons are a good idea. They can take more abuse. Stock rings can become a problem if you keep pushing it.

Agreed, I want better pistons and rings set up specifically for boost. Also would like forged crank and rods if possible just for added margin of error!!!

Not worried about the tune, Ted will take care of that for me.