I have a new project--a 1966 Chevelle. Originally with 396, but now no engine or tranny. So I was thinking a Z06 engine would be cool. GMDirect wants over $17K including tax, but a retailer in California is asking less than $13K for the same motor.
My question--will the modern electronically controlled motor be more difficult to get working properly in an old car than an average crate motor? (I have seen a 427 smallblock made by "World" claiming 505 HP for sale for less than $9000).
Thanks!
Gersh
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2006 Corvette Z06--DSOM
1968 Dodge Charger RT 440--Red
2007 Kawasaki ZZR 600--Black
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--Rene Descartes
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--Gersh Lundberg
not really. you'll need to rig up a computer, of course, for the ls7. OR you can run it with a carb; GM makes an intake manifold for this. you need an electric fuel pump either way. bracketry and headers exist to put an lsX motor in an a-body. of course you'll be wanting a stick shift, so you can adapt the t56 to the chevelle with new clutch linkage and some floorpan mods. i thought about doing this for my 65 tempest, but it's hard not to put a pontiac motor in a pontiac.
i'm sure others can provide more detail on the swap.
look around pro-touring.com
some of the big mail order catalogs have the ls7 right at $13k also.
Last edited by Colin Frolick : 08-11-2006 at 11:14 AM.
Bill Mitchell, Sharfiroff, Smeding Performance, etc all have Big Block based engines that produce more torque and horse power than the LS-7 coming in well below the cost of a 7. It really depends what you are going for. You will have the WOW factor going with the LS-7 engine as it's the "latest thing". If fuel mileage means anything to you then the 7 would be at the top of the heap in that area. Overall the cost of the big block install would be less expensive with very common off the shelf parts being available, (headers, etc). It really comes down to how much you want to spend and what you’re going for. A heavy car like the 66 needs plenty of torque to motivate it and in that arena nothing beats a BBC. 600Hp and 575 ft. lbs of torque at 11K are hard to argue with.
Bill Mitchell, Sharfiroff, Smeding Performance, etc all have Big Block based engines that produce more torque and horse power than the LS-7 coming in well below the cost of a 7. It really depends what you are going for. You will have the WOW factor going with the LS-7 engine as it's the "latest thing". If fuel mileage means anything to you then the 7 would be at the top of the heap in that area. Overall the cost of the big block install would be less expensive with very common off the shelf parts being available, (headers, etc). It really comes down to how much you want to spend and what you’re going for. A heavy car like the 66 needs plenty of torque to motivate it and in that arena nothing beats a BBC. 600Hp and 575 ft. lbs of torque at 11K are hard to argue with.
D.J.
this is true. the ls7 would offer a good weight advantage too, but not worth it unless you're building the car to _really_ handle. even then, an aluminum bbc wouldn't be bad. and 540ci is pretty easy with one of those.
I am just completing a conversion on a 1967 Chevell El Camino. Installing a 572 crate engine. Asside from the motor mounts and transmission cross memberh, items I had, here is what I have in the way of expenses and changes to make this work:
Engine cost: $12,044.00
Starter, mini high torque P/N 12361146 $213.54 the crate engine does not come with a starter.
The oil pan requires changing to clear the front cross member, so I went to a Moroso P/N 20413 $219.88
The oil pick up tube is welded on to the oil pump, so I changed oil pumps. If you order one from the dealer, they will send you a Melling pump and it comes with a pick up tube, so I ordered one from Summit. I could have ground off the weld, but this one was welded almost all the way around the tube.
Headers, the 572 is dyno tested using 2-1/4" x 36" x 4" collectors. Can't get these already made up to fit inside the frame rail. I ordered Lemons headers, two tubes on each side go over the frame rail. These fit like a glove, perfect in every respect. Cost: $1388.00 Correct headers are a must if you want the engine perform like it was designed to do.
All in all, a lot of work, but not bad. I originally had a 454 in the car, so I had some of the items. But, since the 572 is a tall deck, some things had to be modified. I installed Vintage Air, so those brackets had to be modified.
Getting ready to fire it up, I hope next week. Just need to finish the exhaust, which is 3" with a 3" X pipe.
Also using a turbo 400 which was built to handle 1000hp.
I am just completing a conversion on a 1967 Chevell El Camino. Installing a 572 crate engine. Asside from the motor mounts and transmission cross memberh, items I had, here is what I have in the way of expenses and changes to make this work:
Engine cost: $12,044.00
Starter, mini high torque P/N 12361146 $213.54 the crate engine does not come with a starter.
The oil pan requires changing to clear the front cross member, so I went to a Moroso P/N 20413 $219.88
The oil pick up tube is welded on to the oil pump, so I changed oil pumps. If you order one from the dealer, they will send you a Melling pump and it comes with a pick up tube, so I ordered one from Summit. I could have ground off the weld, but this one was welded almost all the way around the tube.
Headers, the 572 is dyno tested using 2-1/4" x 36" x 4" collectors. Can't get these already made up to fit inside the frame rail. I ordered Lemons headers, two tubes on each side go over the frame rail. These fit like a glove, perfect in every respect. Cost: $1388.00 Correct headers are a must if you want the engine perform like it was designed to do.
All in all, a lot of work, but not bad. I originally had a 454 in the car, so I had some of the items. But, since the 572 is a tall deck, some things had to be modified. I installed Vintage Air, so those brackets had to be modified.
Getting ready to fire it up, I hope next week. Just need to finish the exhaust, which is 3" with a 3" X pipe.
Also using a turbo 400 which was built to handle 1000hp.
This should be one sweet ride when your finished with it Tony. Would that be the 620 HP pump gas GMPP crate engine?
Wow, Tony that sounds like a nice classic.
Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions.
I want to stay with a stick shift, so will probably get a Tremec/Keisler 5-speed.
Gersh
Yes, 620hp. I thought about the 720 but out here in goofy land, california, other than buying racing fuel in 55 gal drums,no one sells the good fuel and I want to drive it on the street.
Hey, you can run a 6-speed behind this. Give them a call and see what they have to offer.
I'm in the middle of a similar swap into a 70 GTO. The guys at street and performance in Arkansas are great and cover every detail on their website. I'm almost done it's not that bad just involved. I spoke w/ someone else who did this and he is getting 23 MPG and awesome performance and reliability. Big blocks get 8-10 mpg w/ limitations good luck whatever you decide.
A BBC would be good, but there's a big difference in mpg. For the LS7 with fuel injection, you just need to order the right wiring harness. The LS7, or something similar, would be a good choice because of it's relatively low weight and fuel efficiency. Maybe not the best, but it could be a little better than something like a BBC.
Like someone said, depends how much you want to spend. Sounds like a fun project. Good luck and keep us posted.
I did end up deciding to go with a bbc. A guy from Texas had built a motor for his pro-stock Chevelle, then sold the car without the motor. It was a 454, bored 30 over and stroked to 489. He says he used all high-end components and it hasn't been run yet. It has 8:1 compression ratio and it has a Mooneyham roots-type supercharger good for about 12 psi (more if I invert the pulleys).
He claims it will put out nearly 1000HP!!!
It has an electric awater pump and I will use electric fans. I still want to put in a Tremec, maybe a T-56
I did end up deciding to go with a bbc. A guy from Texas had built a motor for his pro-stock Chevelle, then sold the car without the motor. It was a 454, bored 30 over and stroked to 489. He says he used all high-end components and it hasn't been run yet. It has 8:1 compression ratio and it has a Mooneyham roots-type supercharger good for about 12 psi (more if I invert the pulleys).
He claims it will put out nearly 1000HP!!!
It has an electric awater pump and I will use electric fans. I still want to put in a Tremec, maybe a T-56
Tony--did you get your car running?
Well at least you went the conservative route. LOL Good luck with your new combo.
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Good luck with your new combo.
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