Need Engine Advice - Page 3 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

FastMatt12 · 08-09-2023, 06:23 PM

Blueprint has a well priced 427 LS3 long block
https://blueprintengines.com/product...ade-psls4271ct

racesloth · 08-09-2023, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H8Rain

Again, thank you all for the suggestions!

I think I will pass on the iron block. I was leaning towards the ATK options but doing some online research they don’t get good reviews. I may bite the bullet and go with the Thompson that was suggested… https://www.thompsonmotorsports.net/...rgd-pis-stge-2

I’ll keep everyone updated on my journey.

Thanks again for your time and insight. You are all helping educate me on a new level of car mechanics I never thought I would be at!

For $7450 still on a new LS3 block you get to step up from (the Thompson engine) a stock GM crank to a Callies Compstar 8cwt forged crank and Diamond LS2K pistons (rated 2000hp)

https://cnc-motorsports.com/ls3-6-2l...tons-ls2k.html

jeff657756 · 08-10-2023, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racesloth

For $7450 still on a new LS3 block you get to step up from (the Thompson engine) a stock GM crank to a Callies Compstar 8cwt forged crank and Diamond LS2K pistons (rated 2000hp)

https://cnc-motorsports.com/ls3-6-2l...tons-ls2k.html

Yea i dont think im paying over $7k for something with a stock crank in it.

cc-rider · 08-10-2023, 11:48 AM

Stock crank can take all the power that you can throw at it with a Whipple. Forged pistons and rods are what is needed. That being said, you likely need a new crank anyway and certainly a new block. So you really can’t go wrong with buying a forged short block. Thompson, Texas Speed, AMS, CNC Motorsports…there are many good options.

I just finished my build. I took out my stock engine with my Kenne Bell because the high flow cats let loose and plugged in my x pipe. So I went the route of ordering a forged rotating assembly from CNC motorsports, had my stock block honed, and put it together myself. Lowered the compression to 9:1. I went with a BTR stage 3 “torque” cam. I also went with Frankenstein M311 heads but that was overkill and I don’t think gave me much of anything as opposed to ported LS3’s. I then put a big fuel pump in and went with E85 as well. Pretty happy with it. 710 rwhp at only 10 psi.

Lots of good options out there. Forged pistons and rods, and a cam are a must. Everything else can be added, but you’ll get the most from those 2 things.

H8Rain · 08-10-2023, 04:00 PM

I reached out to Thompson (spoke to Shane). First issue is they are 5-6 months out on new LS3 block inventory. So he suggested an in stock core which would save time and some money. He said the cores are fully tested, scanned and blueprinted and come with the same 12-month warranty as new.

I attached the quote. This includes forged pistons, rods and the crank. Also added in the Moroso high pressure oil pump and a cam. $8,700 with shipping. New block price would be $10,200 and the wait time.

What do you guys think of the package Thompson put together and going with a core block instead of new?

morepowerjoe · 08-10-2023, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H8Rain

I reached out to Thompson (spoke to Shane). First issue is they are 5-6 months out on new LS3 block inventory. So he suggested an in stock core which would save time and some money. He said the cores are fully tested, scanned and blueprinted and come with the same 12-month warranty as new.

I attached the quote. This includes forged pistons, rods and the crank. Also added in the Moroso high pressure oil pump and a cam. $8,700 with shipping. New block price would be $10,200 and the wait time.

What do you guys think of the package Thompson put together and going with a core block instead of new?

I thought you were just trying to beat the guy next to you. Sounds like you want to beat the crap out of everybody. If you have the dough then do it.Just remember that engine is going to probably need extra cooling too.

cc-rider · 08-10-2023, 05:50 PM

But it. You can’t go wrong with that. You start trying to piece it together yourself…you’ll end up with more $. Ask me how I know!

H8Rain · 08-11-2023, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morepowerjoe

I thought you were just trying to beat the guy next to you. Sounds like you want to beat the crap out of everybody.

HA! This is usually what happens with everything I do. I start doing research and next thing ya know.... here I am!

I'm gonna sit on it over the weekend but I think I'm going to go for it. Thompson guy said no problem running my stock heads although he suggested since I have 70k miles on them to replace the springs and maybe while I'm in there upgrade the rockers? I am not doing any other mods to them now.

He also said I will need to get new pushrods for the new cam he specified. How in the world do I figure out what length I need?

RupertPupkin · 08-11-2023, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H8Rain

HA! This is usually what happens with everything I do. I start doing research and next thing ya know.... here I am!

I'm gonna sit on it over the weekend but I think I'm going to go for it. Thompson guy said no problem running my stock heads although he suggested since I have 70k miles on them to replace the springs and maybe while I'm in there upgrade the rockers? I am not doing any other mods to them now.

He also said I will need to get new pushrods for the new cam he specified. How in the world do I figure out what length I need?

If you're going through a shop, they'll do all of that.

gtstorey · 08-11-2023, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RupertPupkin

If you're going through a shop, they'll do all of that.

If not doing going through a shop, you will need to assemble everything and then measure to order pushrods.

H8Rain · 08-11-2023, 10:59 AM

Thanks! Yeah not going through a shop. I'll figure out how to measure them.

morepowerjoe · 08-11-2023, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H8Rain

Thanks! Yeah not going through a shop. I'll figure out how to measure them.

Yeah it's not to hard. Just get a pushrod length checker adjust it to zero lash without the plunger depressed and measure with a large dial caliper and then add how much preload you want to it. That's how I did mine if I remember correctly. I'm sure others have their own methods.

RupertPupkin · 08-11-2023, 08:24 PM

Down the rabbit hole the OP goes.

racesloth · 08-11-2023, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by H8Rain

He also said I will need to get new pushrods for the new cam he specified. How in the world do I figure out what length I need?

On the Thompson website he shows an easy way on how to measure for the correct pushrod. There are many other ways to measure besides what he shows...

08-11-2023, 08:24 PM	#41
RupertPupkin Drives: 2014 Camaro SS 1Le Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: IL Posts: 1,606	Down the rabbit hole the OP goes. __________________ 2014 SS 1LE Money Pit/ Forged 402 CAM 22X/24X, .619/.617, 113 LSA/ LS9 Heads FIC 1200cc/DSX Aux Pump//McLeod RXT Clutch 730whp: 630Trq

08-09-2023, 06:23 PM	#29
FastMatt12 Drives: Camaro SS Join Date: Apr 2022 Location: NM Posts: 15	Blueprint has a well priced 427 LS3 long block https://blueprintengines.com/product...ade-psls4271ct

08-10-2023, 11:48 AM	#32
cc-rider Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: MN Posts: 1,172	Stock crank can take all the power that you can throw at it with a Whipple. Forged pistons and rods are what is needed. That being said, you likely need a new crank anyway and certainly a new block. So you really can’t go wrong with buying a forged short block. Thompson, Texas Speed, AMS, CNC Motorsports…there are many good options. I just finished my build. I took out my stock engine with my Kenne Bell because the high flow cats let loose and plugged in my x pipe. So I went the route of ordering a forged rotating assembly from CNC motorsports, had my stock block honed, and put it together myself. Lowered the compression to 9:1. I went with a BTR stage 3 “torque” cam. I also went with Frankenstein M311 heads but that was overkill and I don’t think gave me much of anything as opposed to ported LS3’s. I then put a big fuel pump in and went with E85 as well. Pretty happy with it. 710 rwhp at only 10 psi. Lots of good options out there. Forged pistons and rods, and a cam are a must. Everything else can be added, but you’ll get the most from those 2 things.

08-10-2023, 05:50 PM	#35
cc-rider Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: MN Posts: 1,172	But it. You can’t go wrong with that. You start trying to piece it together yourself…you’ll end up with more $. Ask me how I know!

08-11-2023, 10:59 AM	#39
H8Rain Drives: Chevy Camaro 2SS Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: CT Posts: 12	Thanks! Yeah not going through a shop. I'll figure out how to measure them.