03-10-2013, 10:55 PM | #1 |
LS7?
Ok, let me start by saying, I'm not a "gear head" by any means. I've never owned a car that I cared enough about until a couple weeks ago when I bought my 2013 2SS/RS L99. It is literally a dream come true for me at the age of 28 (camaro was my birthday present). So a lot of guys at work are telling me to get this thing supercharged and/or turbo'd. While the idea sounds good, I'd be more interested in a "bigger/better" engine all around. If I were to spend thousands of $ on this car...would it be better just to drop an LS7 in the thing? Could the stock auto tranny handle it? Overall does the LS7 have more potential than the LS3/L99? If I picked up a crate engine, would I have to change out anything else? (remember, not much of a "gear head" yet...still learning) What would be the pros and cons? I tend to prefer NA over SC...is the reason I bring up the question.
Thanks, Matt |
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03-10-2013, 10:59 PM | #2 |
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Last edited by Tampa Tuning; 03-13-2013 at 09:27 PM. |
03-10-2013, 11:03 PM | #3 | |
Drives: 2015 Z/28 #533 Join Date: Jul 2012
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EDIT: looked at two websites, and they both had the LS7 for 17k... |
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03-10-2013, 11:25 PM | #4 | |
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Edit: I've seen the LS7 for $13k. |
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03-10-2013, 11:30 PM | #5 |
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Trade for the ZL1...an engine swap would be silly.
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03-10-2013, 11:37 PM | #6 |
I don't want a ZL1..lol. I tend to prefer NA over SC...is the reason I bring up the question. As I mentioned in my first post.
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03-10-2013, 11:42 PM | #7 |
Drives: 2013 2SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Dec 2012
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The stock cam in the LS7 is pretty much a baby, so if money was no object, you could buy the LS7 crate motor for about $16000, throw in a cam and then pay to have it swapped in to your car. But whether or not you want to be N/A or FI, there are more economical was to do it than buying the LS7 crate motor.
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03-10-2013, 11:43 PM | #8 |
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LS7 13k
Cam 3k headers 1k Exhaust 1.5k Other little goodies - 2-3k I assume you wouldn't be doing the work yourself so add 5-7k in labor. So ultimately another 30 grand to get the car to ZL1 status. So you would have 60 grand in your SS. Resale value of that SS...maybe 45 grand. There is a guy currently selling his '10 SS with the LS7 swap for 28k somewhere on here. Imagine the loss he is taking. |
03-11-2013, 12:00 AM | #9 | |
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Could you by chance link that car with the ls7 swap?
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03-11-2013, 12:01 AM | #10 |
This car will be in my hands indefinitely. The engine swap wouldn't be for 3-6 years atleast, well after the warranty is gone. The overall cost isn't the issue. The way I see it...once I do the engine swap...it's virtually a new car. In other words, I'm in no rush to make this happen, just curious if it's possible. When it does happen, it'll be a summer project done by myself and some friends. Investing 40k on my 2SS now and another 20k in 6 years is more manageable than the flat cost of a ZL1 all at once....not to mention I end up with a NA beast.
The question that hasn't been answered yet, can the stock auto tranny handle an LS7? if not, what are the specific reasons? which auto tranny would work? I just want to add, I don't know why the cost of the operation was brought into this conversation. I never once asked if I could afford to do this. The goal of this post was to find out if it was possible and how much work would be needed. Thanks, Matt |
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03-11-2013, 12:14 AM | #11 | |
Drives: 2012 Camaro LS Join Date: Sep 2012
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03-11-2013, 12:25 AM | #12 |
Drives: 2011 Camaro SS/RS - 2004 Silverado Join Date: Mar 2010
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I prefer N/A engines over forced induction too. The LS7 would be a cool swap but you could get similar performance with bolt-ons for your L99.
A CAI, headers, exhaust, cam, and a tune would get you in LS7 territory....for less money. BTW...yes, your 6L80 transmission will bolt to a LS7. Any LSx based engine can. However, it won't last long if you drive hard constantly. You will need to upgrade some parts in the trans to ensure it will be reliable.
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03-11-2013, 12:29 AM | #13 |
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I agree with LimaCharlie; just do work on your L99.
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03-11-2013, 12:33 AM | #14 |
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I would also assume the gains would be minimal at best for the cost of throwing a whole new engine in your car.
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