LS7 Swap - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

2011WhiteSS · 12-10-2012, 01:02 PM

Well, here's the story. I ran across a LS7 recently from a friend that spun a rod and main in his Zo6. Engine has less than 7k miles. He replaced it with a LSX 454 and retained the A&A Supercharger kit he had installed 2500 miles ago.

I got the LS7 block, crank, rods & pistons for $350 basically what he felt was scrap price. The shop said it was junk and wether they were blowing smoke because they wanted to try to keep it or they wanted to sell him the LSX engine or both. IDK????

Anyhoo, I'm picking it up this week and will drop it to the machine shop afterwards to clean and inspect. I got to take a look at it last week and to my untrained eye the crank had bearing material on the journals. Looked like pieces of putty stuck to it. I didn't see any gouges in any of the surfaces.
The mains where the bearing lays has a few minute scratches and a little booger where the tang of the bearing would locate.
2 of the main caps look burnt on each side around where the bearing lays.
2 of the rods look burnt also.

The decision of what caused it was the
oil pump was sucking air and was pumping foamy burnt oil. (I don't know about this description if its true) but if so could that be the blackened color on the rods and main caps????

If this LS7 is salvageable I'd like to put it in my '11 SS to replace my LS3.
Before anyone tells there opinion of how the cyl walls are thin and they won't hold boost and why not just use my LS3 and sleeve and bore and stroke that blah blah blah blah. Please I've heard and read the pros/cons.
I would like something different and unique. I'm not spraying or boosting this engine!!!! Period. All....N/A! So if it works out to be fixable I'm dropping it in.
LS7 short block, ported heads, cam, intake, headers, exhaust. And enjoy.

With that out of the way, some in depth questions for the more knowledgable builders/smart guys.

Some of the questions I'm sure can be answered by the machine shop but any insite beforehand to learn would be appreciated.

What's the process for checking a aluminum block for any cracks. Magna fluxing process is used for a magnetic material. So how's aluminum checked?

Same question for checking the titanium rods. Any special care and handling needed for titanium? Do's & don'ts?

Would the LS3 heads I have, be able to flow enough ported to support the LS7 CID for increased power?

What cam would work for increased power and have a nice/decent idle for 427 Cubes and ported LS3 heads?

I've read the crank snout is longer because of the "Dry Sump" system. Can that be machined or modified to use the LS3 hardware and pan and front accessories drive?
Can anyone give some input on how to modify/machine it down?

I will update with pictures this week to show the areas of concern and get some input from anyone about the rotating assembly.

Thanks.

rjacobs · 12-10-2012, 01:12 PM

I dont think you can put LS3 heads on an LS7 due to the bore being larger, but I might be wrong.

429 · 12-10-2012, 01:17 PM

Short answer on the crank is its not easily usable.

blackonblacksls · 12-10-2012, 01:28 PM

I have spun bearings and still reused the crank. Just turned.

But if you spun a rod then you most likely will need to replace one or more if they contacted eachother at all.

People have used ls3 heads on 4.125 or more bore.

I have used a 220/244 247/252 and 254/265 cams all in my ls7 camaro. The 247/252 was a good combo of power and drive ability

litle88 · 12-10-2012, 01:38 PM

It's not cheap bud but do able. Here's a link so you can see.

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...n/viewall.html

If you go that route a set of forged pistons is a must so are Ls7 heads and you'll need the intake manifold. The headers won't fit from an Ls3 iirc they are different.

As far as cams go, call Ed Curtis at flow tech. He has some badazz lobes for those heads.

Do it right bud, it will be worth it since you got it cheap. IMHO.

Dave Coyle · 12-10-2012, 01:46 PM

The problem I see with your LS7 block is you stated that a couple mains were spun and burnt. Most often this means the block is junk no matter what you want to hear, I would not use that block, find a different block to work with.

Ivan @ Southwest Speed · 12-10-2012, 02:21 PM

Machine the block, sleeve it to a 440, built it for war.... Call it a day. FTW! LOL.

Honestly, hard as hell to answer this without pics and micrometer measurements.

Ivan

Unreal · 12-10-2012, 02:23 PM

Yes you can use the dry sump crank with some adapters/etc.

Get atleast some ls7 heads or you will be holding it back.

Ti rods need some special care.

Honestly, sounds like you bought $350 of scrap metal.

1989GTA · 12-10-2012, 03:45 PM

If that is the case can it not be welded up and align bored?

2011WhiteSS · 12-11-2012, 06:11 PM

Thanks for the post. I'll keep it updated and post pictures in a few days. I've been busy.

litle88 · 12-11-2012, 06:16 PM

Cool do that! Curious what the machine shop says!

LSR SAL · 12-12-2012, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by litle88

Cool do that! Curious what the machine shop says!

+1

this will be an awesome project. If you have any questions or need anything give LSR a call. We are here to help

thahemp · 12-12-2012, 06:44 PM

I saw a good thread on align boring on ls1tech the other day. Only reason I bring it up is because there was a link for slightly shorter timing chains. I'll have to see if I can dig that back up.

Russell James · 12-13-2012, 08:43 AM

Your not too far from Livernois Motorsports. You could have them take a look. If there is any LS machine work question, they could definately steer you in the the right direction.

Even if the block is junk, there may be some incredibly expensive parts there for someone that needs some LS7 rods, if there are any good ones in there. Those Ti rods have a retail price of $801 apiece.

12-10-2012, 01:02 PM	#1
2011WhiteSS Drives: 2011 White 2SS Join Date: May 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 408	LS7 Swap Well, here's the story. I ran across a LS7 recently from a friend that spun a rod and main in his Zo6. Engine has less than 7k miles. He replaced it with a LSX 454 and retained the A&A Supercharger kit he had installed 2500 miles ago. I got the LS7 block, crank, rods & pistons for $350 basically what he felt was scrap price. The shop said it was junk and wether they were blowing smoke because they wanted to try to keep it or they wanted to sell him the LSX engine or both. IDK???? Anyhoo, I'm picking it up this week and will drop it to the machine shop afterwards to clean and inspect. I got to take a look at it last week and to my untrained eye the crank had bearing material on the journals. Looked like pieces of putty stuck to it. I didn't see any gouges in any of the surfaces. The mains where the bearing lays has a few minute scratches and a little booger where the tang of the bearing would locate. 2 of the main caps look burnt on each side around where the bearing lays. 2 of the rods look burnt also. The decision of what caused it was the oil pump was sucking air and was pumping foamy burnt oil. (I don't know about this description if its true) but if so could that be the blackened color on the rods and main caps???? If this LS7 is salvageable I'd like to put it in my '11 SS to replace my LS3. Before anyone tells there opinion of how the cyl walls are thin and they won't hold boost and why not just use my LS3 and sleeve and bore and stroke that blah blah blah blah. Please I've heard and read the pros/cons. I would like something different and unique. I'm not spraying or boosting this engine!!!! Period. All....N/A! So if it works out to be fixable I'm dropping it in. LS7 short block, ported heads, cam, intake, headers, exhaust. And enjoy. With that out of the way, some in depth questions for the more knowledgable builders/smart guys. Some of the questions I'm sure can be answered by the machine shop but any insite beforehand to learn would be appreciated. What's the process for checking a aluminum block for any cracks. Magna fluxing process is used for a magnetic material. So how's aluminum checked? Same question for checking the titanium rods. Any special care and handling needed for titanium? Do's & don'ts? Would the LS3 heads I have, be able to flow enough ported to support the LS7 CID for increased power? What cam would work for increased power and have a nice/decent idle for 427 Cubes and ported LS3 heads? I've read the crank snout is longer because of the "Dry Sump" system. Can that be machined or modified to use the LS3 hardware and pan and front accessories drive? Can anyone give some input on how to modify/machine it down? I will update with pictures this week to show the areas of concern and get some input from anyone about the rotating assembly. Thanks.

12-10-2012, 01:38 PM	#5
litle88 V8 Lounge member #2 Drives: 2001 Ws6 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Burbank,IL Posts: 6,373	It's not cheap bud but do able. Here's a link so you can see. http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/e...n/viewall.html If you go that route a set of forged pistons is a must so are Ls7 heads and you'll need the intake manifold. The headers won't fit from an Ls3 iirc they are different. As far as cams go, call Ed Curtis at flow tech. He has some badazz lobes for those heads. Do it right bud, it will be worth it since you got it cheap. IMHO. __________________ 2001 ws6, 40k miles, Ls3 416 stroker, short block built by PER the rest by me. LPE Ls3 heads milled to 12-1 comp, FAST 102, NW 102, kooks 2", dual DMH cutouts, Magnaflow C/B, BTR cam + springs. Full UMI suspension.

12-10-2012, 01:46 PM	#6
Dave Coyle Drives: 2010 SS , 1970 Z-28, 2002 Avalanche Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Michigan Posts: 2,524 View My Garage	The problem I see with your LS7 block is you stated that a couple mains were spun and burnt. Most often this means the block is junk no matter what you want to hear, I would not use that block, find a different block to work with. __________________ IF IT'S WORTH HAVING, IT'S WORTH WAITING FOR!!!! (AND IT WAS) 434RWHP/403RWTQ Livernois Motorsports 2C Cam kit Kooks 1 7/8 LT Headers/Hi-Flo Cats/Corsa Exhaust Roto-Fab CAI / Port Intake Precission 2400/2800 Converter/3.73 AAM gears Livernois Motorsports Tune Best time: 11.97 @ 117 MPH

12-10-2012, 02:23 PM	#8
Unreal Drives: 2006 Z06 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 5,712	Yes you can use the dry sump crank with some adapters/etc. Get atleast some ls7 heads or you will be holding it back. Ti rods need some special care. Honestly, sounds like you bought $350 of scrap metal. __________________ Nick Corvette Z06 -1200ish rwhp

12-11-2012, 06:16 PM	#11
litle88 V8 Lounge member #2 Drives: 2001 Ws6 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Burbank,IL Posts: 6,373	Cool do that! Curious what the machine shop says! __________________ 2001 ws6, 40k miles, Ls3 416 stroker, short block built by PER the rest by me. LPE Ls3 heads milled to 12-1 comp, FAST 102, NW 102, kooks 2", dual DMH cutouts, Magnaflow C/B, BTR cam + springs. Full UMI suspension.

12-10-2012, 01:12 PM	#2
rjacobs Drives: none Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Dallas, tX Posts: 248	I dont think you can put LS3 heads on an LS7 due to the bore being larger, but I might be wrong.

12-10-2012, 01:17 PM	#3
429 Account Suspended Drives: 2010 camaro ss Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Richmond Hill, GA Posts: 726	Short answer on the crank is its not easily usable.

12-10-2012, 01:28 PM	#4
blackonblacksls Drives: 2011 2ss/rs Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: houston Posts: 531	I have spun bearings and still reused the crank. Just turned. But if you spun a rod then you most likely will need to replace one or more if they contacted eachother at all. People have used ls3 heads on 4.125 or more bore. I have used a 220/244 247/252 and 254/265 cams all in my ls7 camaro. The 247/252 was a good combo of power and drive ability

12-10-2012, 02:21 PM	#7
Ivan @ Southwest Speed Drives: '15 Z06, '01 NBM SS, '97 SS Join Date: May 2009 Location: Rio Rancho, NM Posts: 12,161	Machine the block, sleeve it to a 440, built it for war.... Call it a day. FTW! LOL. Honestly, hard as hell to answer this without pics and micrometer measurements. Ivan

12-10-2012, 03:45 PM	#9
1989GTA Drives: 1989 GTA Trans Am Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Cypress, California Posts: 610	If that is the case can it not be welded up and align bored?

12-11-2012, 06:11 PM	#10
2011WhiteSS Drives: 2011 White 2SS Join Date: May 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 408	Thanks for the post. I'll keep it updated and post pictures in a few days. I've been busy.

12-12-2012, 06:44 PM	#13
thahemp Geek Drives: 2012 Black LS3 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Derby, KS Posts: 4,343 View My Garage	I saw a good thread on align boring on ls1tech the other day. Only reason I bring it up is because there was a link for slightly shorter timing chains. I'll have to see if I can dig that back up. __________________ 01000111011011110110111101100100001000000110110001 11010101100011011010110010000001110111011010010111 01000110100000100000011101000110100001101001011100 110010000001101111011011100110010100100001 x = ac97968bd3df8f968c8cd3df998a9c94d3df9c8a918bd3df9c 909c94df8c8a9c949a8dd3df92908b979a8ddf998a9c949a8d d3df8b968b8cd1 x = ~x

12-13-2012, 08:43 AM	#14
Russell James Drives: '15 SS 1LE, '69 Z28 drag car Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Mich Posts: 4,482	Your not too far from Livernois Motorsports. You could have them take a look. If there is any LS machine work question, they could definately steer you in the the right direction. Even if the block is junk, there may be some incredibly expensive parts there for someone that needs some LS7 rods, if there are any good ones in there. Those Ti rods have a retail price of $801 apiece.