I have a friend that wants to build an engine for me and he said I should go with a 427? Should I or do I need to go that big? I mean that is a huge jump from my current engine!

I have a friend that wants to build an engine for me and he said I should go with a 427? Should I or do I need to go that big? I mean that is a huge jump from my current engine!

427 is a BIG engine, you may have seen the article on LPE breaking the 1 mile speed record at like 226 MPH or something like that. That was a 427 TT. Theres a guy locally who has a 427 and that car is an animal. I assume your friend does have experience working on Vettes, because this would be no small job!

yes he does have alot of experience so I would be comfortable with him building any engine for me. But I guess I am wondering if it would be overkill for a person with my driving habits? I did see that Z06 video on You tube and it sounded like a jet when it passed the camera!!!

yes he does have alot of experience so I would be comfortable with him building any engine for me. But I guess I am wondering if it would be overkill for a person with my driving habits? I did see that Z06 video on You tube and it sounded like a jet when it passed the camera!!!

It all boils down to what you want IMO. You can have a very calm 427 that would fit right in your habits! I have a stroked 402 that Tony Mamo spec'd out and it will be a monster according to what Tony has said and I have seen first hand at what he's done in the past. But if you don't go adding a whole bunch of racing parts to the 427 you will have a very street mannered engine!

It all boils down to what you want IMO. You can have a very calm 427 that would fit right in your habits! I have a stroked 402 that Tony Mamo spec'd out and it will be a monster according to what Tony has said and I have seen first hand at what he's done in the past. But if you don't go adding a whole bunch of racing parts to the 427 you will have a very street mannered engine!
That 402 sounds like it's going to be really fun!!! Keep me posted as to how that turns out will you? Because to be honest to you that sounds more appealing to me!

That 402 sounds like it's going to be really fun!!! Keep me posted as to how that turns out will you? Because to be honest to you that sounds more appealing to me!
Well we are getting closer, the engine will be here in about a week or so and we will then start the process of putting this monster in it! I will be picking up the Nitto Invos this week and the rears are 345/25/20!!

Sounds like a great project. Are you starting with a crate LS7 or going with a different after market block? Forged components? What type of cyl heads? Are you running it off the OEM computer or going with after-market software?

Should have tremendous low end pull when your done! Good luck.

Sounds like a great project. Are you starting with a crate LS7 or going with a different after market block? Forged components? What type of cyl heads? Are you running it off the OEM computer or going with after-market software?

Should have tremendous low end pull when your done! Good luck.
You should be a very good person to get an opinion from so I will lay out exactly what is going on!! Bare with me!
The whole lower end is being built by LME in TX with all callies forged internals w/custom Wiseco domed pistons.
Most likely Crane pro roller rockers (haven't got them yet)hydraulic
Comp Cam single pattern 244 and 612 113lsa
SLP hardoned pushrods 7.500
Yella Terra rockers
JPperformance timing chain and 25% underdrive pully
Mezziere elect water pump (race)
Fast 90 and throttle body both ported by Tony Mamo
SlP heavy duty oil pump
High performance fuel pump (also ported by T Mamo)
fast fuel rail kit,MSD Blaster II coil packs,nology wires, kooks 17/8 LT, Breathless Vortech CAI
QTP cut outs, AFR 205 heads ported and polished by Tony Mamo (he stated that he got some of his best flow #'s with mine)
Clutch master stage 3 clutch, 390 gears with hardend output drives
DTE diff brace, polyurithane bushings and koni shocks (fsd)
I am utilizing the stock computer, hopefully that will work ok!
That is all I can think of right now! Definetly not as big as your next build (that I can't wait to hear about!) But this is my first Vette and first build! I won't get into the wheels and body parts as that is a list too!! Well I know that was a mouthful but what do you think Tom? I always keep my eye on your threads as you do some sick builds!

I'm not familiar with all the brands/parts you have speced, but overall it looks like a tremendous build. You are going with forged components, beefing up critical areas (like cam, fuel pump....) and putting in a higher performance clutch.

Sounds like you are doing it right. As for using the OEM computer, your probably fine(and best to stick with that). Your tuner sounds like he's very experienced. You might want to discuss with whether you want to run the car on different software and bypass the OEM computer. I.e speed density tune vs MAF. I don't think you'll want to get involved with the really high end race gear like Motec, but a package I'm using for my track engine called Big Stuff 3, is reasonably priced and might be of interest.

Good luck. Your engine should be a monster when completed!

http://www.bigstuff3.com/

Thanks Tom! Yes it is and has been an interesting road for this Vette! Seeing that I am not going to ever put slicks on this, I have decided to just put the gears in and hardened output driveshafts. I think that should be fine seeing that I won't be draging it either. What are your thoughts on that? When are you going to start on that RR NA? Thanks!

Funny you should ask. The parts below should all arrive in the next couple of weeks. Can't wait to get started building it.

Warhawk 427 LS7X aluminum block - 9.240 deck, 4.115 bore
Callies Dragonslayer crankshaft
Callies Compstar 6.125 connecting rods
Diamond 4.115 Pistons
Total Seal rings
Comp 876-16 Lifters
Comp Camshaft
ETP 11 degree 4.1 Bore LS7 Cylinder Heads - 6 bolts per cylinder
Jesel Shaft Rocker Arms - 1.7 ratio
Nick Williams 90mm throttle body for LS7 intake manifold
Special length pushrods
LS7 intake Manifold
Carbon fiber Valve LS7 Covers
Dailey Engineering Oil Pan for dry sump oil system
Dailey Engineering Dry sump System
Patterson Oil Tank(13 qt)
Ron Davis Radiator

I don't quite know what all those numbers mean yet, but I'm learning!! Either way it sounds like you have yourself a fun build getting ready to get started! Keep me posted on whats going on with that build Tom and I will keep you updated on mine!:D

You've got a deal. We should both have some kick butt engines. As I said, I'm very impressed with what you have going. I think your going to love it.

Actually, once completed our builds will be very similar in most ways.

The only real difference will be that a track only engine has the option to run on racing fuel (110 octane) which allows it to be tuned with a higher compression ratio for some extra hp. I'm still deciding if I want to do that.

A track engine also is typically outfitted with a dry sump system. I.e. no conventional oil pan. A pump keeps the engine full of oil during long sessions involving high G-force turns, where conventional street engines can stave for oil as the G forces cause the oil to slosh around.

What is the new engine going to go in? Yes, you are going to have a sweet race car, where as I will have a borderline street car that I can occasionally race!! I picked up my new Nittos Invos today and the HRE's get finished this week coming so I will get them then. Then the lower half comes rolling in from TX in a week, so things should start moving! What kind of time frame are you looking at for yours?

I just read each of your two guys engines that you are building (atleast tom is, your just buying yours smokin!!) :D and I have to say that you two are serious! I would like to see what both of them put down after the dust settles!! Good luck either way gents.:cool:

I just read each of your two guys engines that you are building (atleast tom is, your just buying yours smokin!!) :D and I have to say that you two are serious! I would like to see what both of them put down after the dust settles!! Good luck either way gents.:cool:
well maybe next time I will build mine, however I don't have the tools or the facility to do it myself. Once I get my car done here, I think that the fact that I didn't build my engine won't hurt my feelings too bad once I go for a ride in it!!!:D

Well I am going to see how yours turns out Smokin and then I will make my choice from there. So hurry up and get yours done so that I can get mine started!:D

:D Well I am going to see how yours turns out Smokin and then I will make my choice from there. So hurry up and get yours done so that I can get mine started!:D
fair enough!! My engine will be together here soon and we will put her back in the car and get her running again!!!! I will let you know how it turns out!:D

Check out link for update on my engine build. Scroll down to near bottom of post for pics of new warhwawk 427 engine block.

http://www.exoticperformanceplus.com/projectCar.php?car=50

Check out link for update on my engine build. Scroll down to near bottom of post for pics of new warhwawk 427 engine block.

http://www.exoticperformanceplus.com/projectCar.php?car=50
Tom, that is insane!! That will be a Vette to be wreckoned with! That block is very nice looking, I hope mine is as good quality as yours! It finally comes in this week and I will post pics so you can see it and put your thoughts on it!!

Keep me informed on yours! We should both have some great set ups.

I just ordered my new trannie for the car (level 5). With the kind of power your putting down, you might want to consider. I'm going with the M6 gearing and the 3.42 rear end. Given the rwhp our engines are producing, that should provide a good gear spacing.

http://www.rpmtransmissions.com/c5pricing.html

Well I should have it this thursday or Friday! I looked at RPM and they look nice, real nice. I am going to run with the stock tranny for now, but I have the better clutch going in rated at 600 rwhp which is going to be tested thats for sure! I am if you recall just doing all hardened internals in my stock diff with 3:90's, I don't plan on putting slicks on this so I will also be testing this theory too! At anyrate, if they fail well then I will upgrade only time will tell!

Hey Smokinvette, how is your project coming along? I haven't spoke to you in awhile and wanted to see if you got the new engine in and all?

Hey Smokinvette, how is your project coming along? I haven't spoke to you in awhile and wanted to see if you got the new engine in and all?
WOW, it has been alot of delays on some parts that I needed and it just goes to show that nothing is as simple as it seems! I have just about all the parts to get things rolling, I just need a new fuel system and a couple odds and ends that I can get as I go along with the build! I will keep you posted and put up some fresh pics of the project!

WOW, it has been alot of delays on some parts that I needed and it just goes to show that nothing is as simple as it seems! I have just about all the parts to get things rolling, I just need a new fuel system and a couple odds and ends that I can get as I go along with the build! I will keep you posted and put up some fresh pics of the project!

Very cool! I can't wait to see what kind of power that LME engine puts down!! I'm sure you will be VERY happy!

Ed

Back in the 70s I replaced the headgaskets on a 1968 Vette. The owner had some guy that clamed to be a Chevy speed specialist build it up. The guy put a set of L88 heads and hot cam (specs not known) and three twos and a set of headers plus some other mods. The guy put good parts on it but had no idea how to set it up. It blew the headgasket right away because he didn't torque all the headbolts. Anyway I fixed it and set the engine up and there is no way you can use that much power on the street. It would blow the tires off at just about any speed. So if you want ungodly amounts of power that you will not beable to tap into go with the 427. A well built 383 small block can get over 500 hp. Oh ya the owner of the Vette totaled it in a parking lot with in two months of me getting it to run right.:wtf:

My thoughts.

A stroked LS2 makes 402/3 CI. A stroked LS3 Makes 415/18 CI. A stroked LS7 makes 454ci.

There is no substitute for CI.

I used a new LS3 block and LS3 heads for my 415 build. The cost was only a couple of thou more than stroking my LS2 and was several thou less than getting an LS7.

Additionally, the LS3 is a newer design than the LS2 or LS7 and makes a stronger base than the LS7. The LS3 is the basis for the ZR1 LS9

That said - they are all powerful and strong motors.

I mean, to the engine A guys.. we can make multiple levels, but how do we load them to make them the current level?

... have YOU solved this problem, brian? Whats that about drawing the current level to the window?