Starting a very interesting build for a customer...

blykins · #1 (**permalink**) 08-22-2010, 02:00 PM

Customer brought me a core....a 6.0 LQ9 LS-series engine. I do a few Chevys here and there, but I don't get into many LS engines.

This one is going to be very unique...Scat 4.000" stroker crank, forged Probe pistons, Comp hydraulic roller cam, GM Performance heads, an Edelbrock CARBURETED intake manifold, and an MSD DISTRIBUTOR....

Yes, you heard me correctly. GMPP offers a new front timing cover with a mechanical fuel pump boss and a kit to run a SBF distributor. This engine will be completely mechanical, with no EFI, coil packs, sensors, etc.

This is going to be very interesting for me and I do believe that this little LS motor should make some good power....possibly between 565-580hp depending on what camshaft I choose and how well the heads turn out.

Here are some disassembly pictures. These things are built pretty beefy with 6 bolt main caps. Lots of unique features.

BTW, I'm still a FORD GUY!!!

I'll update this thread as we make progress. Should be pretty fun.

CobraEd · #2 (**permalink**) 08-22-2010, 02:05 PM

I like the six bolt cross bolted mains.

.

blykins · #3 (**permalink**) 08-22-2010, 02:21 PM

Couple of cool (interesting) things....

1. No "traditional" freeze plugs on the block.
2. Oil pump driven off the crank snout.
3. Lifters are held by plastic lifter retainers that are keyed. The lifters are similar to 5.0 hydraulic roller lifters. Instead of dog bones to keep them straight, the LS uses plastic trays that orient the lifters. The big rectangular cut outs in the block in the first picture are for the trays and you can see the bolt holes that hold the trays down.
4. GMPP conversion uses a little jack shaft off of the cam gear. It has its own gear on it that mates to a 302 distributor.
5. Balancer is one piece with the crank pulley. You also need a Chrysler style balancer puller to remove it.
6. Rear main seal is in its housing that bolts to the rear of the block.
7. Skirted block (like the FE's and modular engines).

Just a neat little engine....very Ford like.

madmaxx · #4 (**permalink**) 08-22-2010, 03:05 PM

Thanks for sharing!!! Look forward to the updates.

Bernica · #5 (**permalink**) 08-22-2010, 03:10 PM

Interesting! I was just reading my latest copy of Hot Rod Mag (Oct 2010), and there is a good article in there about explaining the new LS series engines, geared towards us old-school guys called "teaching old dogs new tricks". Goes through all the differences, things to watch for in rebuilds etc. For me, it was interesting to see how much things have changed. I'm sure it's already "old hat" for many of you, but I never was a Chevy guy to begin with. I'll just stay in my little hole and tinker with what I know. The newer technology is pretty amazing though......

rustyBob · #6 (**permalink**) 08-22-2010, 05:09 PM

they did almost the same build on Hot Rod TV ( i think thats where i saw it ) and that little monster was very impressive horsepower and torque wise.....should be a real screamer...

puppster · #7 (**permalink**) 08-22-2010, 05:34 PM

I was at the Woodward Dream Cruise yesterday where Chevrolet had a NASCAR engine on display. I found it interesting that it had a front mounted distributor. Is this perhaps the same config. as that?

blykins · #8 (**permalink**) 08-22-2010, 05:54 PM

I don't follow a lot of the Chevy stuff....but I think the new Cup motor is the new RO7 engine, which is different than the LS series.

Jerry Clayton · #9 (**permalink**) 08-25-2010, 05:56 AM

We do several of these engines---have done some carbed but with the msd ignition system that is programable--you can even get it from Edelbrock as part of package with manifold--

Lots of drysump parts available from LS7 crate engines that were converted to wet sumps for rods---but you need a crank with a longer nose

if you use the alum block engine it is tremendous weight savings over the iron block

Gasket areas are oring type material within alum retainer--can't over tighten and squoose the gasket out

lots of special tools avail for seal alignment, flywheel tightening etc

bottom ends will take well over 700 hp

ls7 have titaniam rods and hollow lightweight valves

accessory drive components are fairly well tightly packaged( no more fender to fender)

trularin · #10 (**permalink**) 08-25-2010, 08:45 AM

Oh woow is me.

Brent, you have fallen from the faith.

Cheby over Ford...oh woow is me.

Yes, you are slipping into darkness.

You know I had to toss that in.

undy · #11 (**permalink**) 08-25-2010, 09:38 AM

My "LS" motor in the daily beater puts down 509 rwhp with just a tune, headers and a K&N air filter (more rwhp than my Cobra's KC 482" side oiler). You can rest your martini on a valve cover with the engine running w/o spillage too. Chebby's doin' something right.

jdean · #12 (**permalink**) 08-25-2010, 10:56 AM

Paint it blue and put Ford type valve covers on it and it will confuse a lot of folks, especially with the evenly spaced Ford style of exhaust ports.

blykins · #13 (**permalink**) 08-27-2010, 02:30 PM

Got new slugs....forged pistons from Probe.

First picture is the LS pieces....

Second picture is the LS piston next to the 4.420" piston that will go in my personal 552ci BBF.....(mad scientist laugh inserted here)

jdean · #14 (**permalink**) 08-27-2010, 05:10 PM

Forget the darn Chevy, tell us more about your sinister plans for the 552 BBF.

blykins · #15 (**permalink**) 08-27-2010, 06:23 PM

It's a street/strip engine that I'm doing for my Fox body Mustang. 4.420"x4.500", Kaase P51 heads, solid roller cam, 11:1. 700-ish horsepower...

3000lb car, 4.30 gears in a 9" Strange center section....should be peppy.

blykins · #16 (**permalink**) 09-10-2010, 05:33 PM

Ok, more toys are rolling in. Block is being machined and the new crankshaft came today. A K1 (Carrillo) forged 4" stroke crank.

blykins · #17 (**permalink**) 10-02-2010, 05:40 AM

Block is back from machining. Parts are slowly trickling in as customer will allow.

New custom bumpstick from Comp Cams...hand picked lobes with the LSA tightened up a little since this is a carbureted engine.

blykins · #18 (**permalink**) 10-02-2010, 05:43 AM

Next comes one of the many stages of mock-up and clearance checking.

rustyBob · #19 (**permalink**) 10-02-2010, 08:10 AM

theres just nothing like NEW parts...I'll bet that baby will haul the groceries....

undy · #20 (**permalink**) 10-02-2010, 01:30 PM

In a year or so I'll be converting the daily driver 07 Z06 to a "toy" status. I'll be giving you a shout for the build.

I'll want to swap to a set of Diamond forged slugs, a hearty bumb-stick, a little more head CNCing/shaving, a LSX 105 intake manifold and a ported throttle body. It dyno's 509 at the tires now. With the above stated mods most are getting around 620 at the tires and it's still very streetable. I'll keep the Ti intake valves and connecting rods but dump the 2 piece sodium filled exhaust valves (the heads like to pop off).

As I get closer I'll give you a shout for some pricing.