Factory LS-6 still in the crate

Tim H · 02-15-2010, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALMACK

I remember in the 80's listening to Chevy guys talk about that engine available from GM.

The thing that stuck in my head was this prominent GM racer telling a potential LS 6 buyer to make sure he completely disassembles that engine and check the clearances.

Excellent advice, we bought an LS7 (454) crate engine from the "general" and it was not really ready to race with. Assembly dirt in pan,some bolts not torqued 100% etc...

Rich Biebel · 02-15-2010, 07:13 PM

I installed one in a friends '69 Camaro. It was an all steel bracket car except the hood. Powerglide with a 4.88 gear. The very minimum we did to those LS-7's was pull the heads and cut the guides down to prevent the retainers from httting them. We usually also milled them .020" and cleaned up the valves and seats. That '69 Camaro went 10.80 at 124 with a good 8' converter on it's first decent pass.

That engine went as quick as 10.40's at 128 but did hurt the bottom end eventually. I think it had maybe 150 runs when it failed....

We also highly recommended a full disassembly and race prep with a lot of upgrades and parts changes.....

Bush the rods
Hone the block with a plate
Check the crank for being straight
Deck the block
Check the line bore
Balance it
Replace the rings and bearings
Do the heads...VJ and some mild port work
Change the cam to a bigger solid or a roller

They were a very good base for a race engine but not a good idea to race one right out of the crate......
Street duty would have been fine unless you really beat on it......

02-15-2010, 07:13 PM	#2
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,315 Likes: 25 Liked 544 Times in 213 Posts	Re: Factory LS-6 still in the crate I installed one in a friends '69 Camaro. It was an all steel bracket car except the hood. Powerglide with a 4.88 gear. The very minimum we did to those LS-7's was pull the heads and cut the guides down to prevent the retainers from httting them. We usually also milled them .020" and cleaned up the valves and seats. That '69 Camaro went 10.80 at 124 with a good 8' converter on it's first decent pass. That engine went as quick as 10.40's at 128 but did hurt the bottom end eventually. I think it had maybe 150 runs when it failed.... We also highly recommended a full disassembly and race prep with a lot of upgrades and parts changes..... Bush the rods Hone the block with a plate Check the crank for being straight Deck the block Check the line bore Balance it Replace the rings and bearings Do the heads...VJ and some mild port work Change the cam to a bigger solid or a roller They were a very good base for a race engine but not a good idea to race one right out of the crate...... Street duty would have been fine unless you really beat on it...... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479 Stock 147R