Quote:
Originally Posted by Fraxum
Sorry to make you go through this again. But might the LS7 cost more than the difference of the crates? I know nothing about the expense of plopping an existing engine in a different car from Chevy's point of view.
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The greatest engineering differences between the LS3 and LS7 have to do with block, con-rods, and cylinder heads.
Replacement
ti rods for the LS7 run about $800/each. The heads have bigger ports, with enhanced machining. The block is tapped for dry-sump, and made with premium alloy. I doubt they lose money on
either crate engine...
As to an "upgraded" engine, it certainly reduces costs for a relatively low-production car to utilize an "off-the-shelf" OEM-optional engine. LS7 has passed all the OEM tests for emissions and durability...steps NOT accomplished (yet) by a GMPP crate engine based on the LS3. "Time is money", goes the ol' saying, so readying a GMPP-hotrodded LS3 for OEM production will take BOTH...drawing its actual "as-installed" costs closer to the LS7, and yet still NOT being a "427" and still NOT matching its "as-installed" numbers of 500+ hp and 470 tq. As powerful as an LS3
may be made, in GM-warrantable form the LS7 will
always make more power. Heck, a "tune" and LTs will get it
very close to
500 hp @ the rear wheels...a number the ZL1 boys sure wouldn't want us to have!