CWW17

I'm finally in the position to replace my blown engine on my '07 Z06. I've been getting pulled in both directions on what to do with the car. If I go with the LS7 Crate, it will be a little more expensive, but will come with a factory warranty. If I go with custom built engine, it may end up being cheaper and more powerful, but may hurt resale value and the ability to resell the car eventually, although I currently have no plans to sell it. What would you do with a budget of roughly $14,000?

ProEFI

I'll contact Ron or Kevin at vengeance racing for LB

"NO SHOW"

^^ This.

CWW17

I should add that I'm not looking to go crazy on mods. I modded myself out of a Trans Am that I use to own. Heads and a 'sleeper' cam, I don't think I even really want to do headers, unless they could be muffled considerably. Maybe a 10% max increase in noise and I would also still want cats so I don't constantly smell like exhaust. I currently have a Halltech CAI and Akrapovic Exhaust.

"NO SHOW"

I totally understand where you are coming from, I did the same thing you are talking about with my C5, I didn't enjoy driving if after we did the cam swap because of my cam choice.

We recently competed the head "fix" on four Z06's, along with the WCCH porting and milling I went with Vengeance Racing Kaotik cam. Drivability is great for a car that makes 581 to the wheels but might be a little more cam than you are looking for if you want it to drive just like it does stock. All the guys at Vengeance were awesome to deal with, we bought all the parts for 4 head swaps and 3 cam swaps from them. At the very least I would give the guys a call and tell them what you are looking for and get some numbers.

blacktavert

I would go custom instead of LS7 crate

croatbob

custom prob be cheaper 2

SilveradoSS500

I bought an LS7 crate, it lasted 3 hard years... Piston broke...

I say go custom... I'm building a custom one now

Frans96ss

I have 2 LS7 long blocks im selling. One with 10k miles and heads and cam on it. The other with 41k and bone stock. I can fix the heads for you on the stock one and ship it to you and you wont have to worry about it again or you can buy the one fixed but it does have a bigger cam in it.

croatbob

texas speed to a affordable long engine. cheaper than a factory ls7 anyways

Michael_D

I've seen enough core shift on crate engine blocks over the years to believe the parts are seconds that did not meet spec for the production engine. Can't prove that, but it is likely.

I'd build one or have a reputable builder build an engine before going with a standard cid crate engine.

x88

I'd do custom, more fun, same price

harveyjl

Ask someone that has been there. I blew my motor replaced with a ls7 block with forged internals, now I am looking at pulling my new motor that has 3k miles and I am going to do a bigger LSX build. Biggest thing is to plan your build!!! What hp do you want to make? 7Grand will get you a very high hp rated motor (Short Block) then all you need is heads.

CWW17

I think I would like to be in the 500-550rwhp range. Nice heads, a small sleeper cam, ported intake and throttle body, and some headers with cats. Very safe, efficient, and as close to stock feeling as possible.

harveyjl

Then you can do that with a crate motor. But odds are you will want more after awhile. I would buy a ls7 block put a light forged rotating assembly and a stock heads. Have them ported and polished have theexhaust valve problem taken care of. But a mild cam and bam 550rwhp and some money in your pocket. Go with a reputable engine builder that will stand behind his build.

CWW17

What dollar amount do you think I'm looking at with the setup you are describing harvey? Assuming that I will be content with the 550ish hp.

harveyjl

I had pretty much the same thing happen to me, after my original engine blew up and when I had me new engine built I had an LS7 with forged internals (eagle rods and crank weisco pistons) and one new head, since only one was damaged, I believe the total was right under 13K, But I also had the heads ported new inconel exhaust valves, new springs and had the valve guides fixed.

The way I see it is if you can spend 13K on a built motor, it will easily make the 550 and then have the option to add another 300-400hp easily if you wanted to and if you built it right.

If you spend 14K on a crate motor it will make 550 easily but once you get to 5 or 6 pounds of boost your pushing your luck in my opinion.

LFZ

I'd go with a stock LS7 short block....get some take off heads and have them done...get a Torquer 116 cam and be done with it. Might as well go headers while you're there since everything is upgraded.