Best LS Option For "new" Build?
#1
V8 Miata Participant
Thread Starter
Best LS Option For "new" Build?
I am weighing the option of converting my Ford 5.0 converted Miata to an LS powered conversion.
Things I do not need to "replace" are the rear diff and front cooling.
I would be using the long tube header version of the LS swap and the V8Roadsters mounting kit.
So, not being a "chevy" guy...
What would be the best LS motor to select? Availability, cost, etc. should be factors. I'm talking about a salvage yard buy or private sale part out for the source. Ideally, for example, the accessories that come on the engine can be retained along with the intake, etc.
Any suggestions?
Things I do not need to "replace" are the rear diff and front cooling.
I would be using the long tube header version of the LS swap and the V8Roadsters mounting kit.
So, not being a "chevy" guy...
What would be the best LS motor to select? Availability, cost, etc. should be factors. I'm talking about a salvage yard buy or private sale part out for the source. Ideally, for example, the accessories that come on the engine can be retained along with the intake, etc.
Any suggestions?
#2
Jim Stainer
Usually it's best to start with a crashed donor unless money is no object. F body, GTO or vette if you want aluminum or any number of trucks if iron will do. Typically the most bang for the buck is 2000 to 2002 Camaro or Firebird but 98 and 99 will also work they just didn't' breath quite as well. If you can swing it the LS3 in the GTOs with a bit of a cam is would make better use of the headers you want to use. But power wise with a cam and tune any LS can exceed 400 hp with out cracking a sweat. So it kind of doesn't matter...
But since you are asking for suggestions... I have not done the math but it seems to me if you put even half of what you would spend on an LS swap into that SBF you would have more power (and of course better sound) than the LS. So I gotta ask a couple questions if you don't mind.
What are the $$ numbers you are looking at? What do you expect to spend on the LS and what do you think you can get out of the 5.0? (Not to encourage you but I might be interested in the 5.0 stuff)
And probably the biggest question, if you don't mind, why? What's to be gained and is the goal of doing this?
But since you are asking for suggestions... I have not done the math but it seems to me if you put even half of what you would spend on an LS swap into that SBF you would have more power (and of course better sound) than the LS. So I gotta ask a couple questions if you don't mind.
What are the $$ numbers you are looking at? What do you expect to spend on the LS and what do you think you can get out of the 5.0? (Not to encourage you but I might be interested in the 5.0 stuff)
And probably the biggest question, if you don't mind, why? What's to be gained and is the goal of doing this?
#3
V8 Miata Protégé
Usually it's best to start with a crashed donor unless money is no object. F body, GTO or vette if you want aluminum or any number of trucks if iron will do. Typically the most bang for the buck is 2000 to 2002 Camaro or Firebird but 98 and 99 will also work they just didn't' breath quite as well. If you can swing it the LS3 in the GTOs with a bit of a cam is would make better use of the headers you want to use. But power wise with a cam and tune any LS can exceed 400 hp with out cracking a sweat. So it kind of doesn't matter...
But since you are asking for suggestions... I have not done the math but it seems to me if you put even half of what you would spend on an LS swap into that SBF you would have more power (and of course better sound) than the LS. So I gotta ask a couple questions if you don't mind.
What are the $$ numbers you are looking at? What do you expect to spend on the LS and what do you think you can get out of the 5.0? (Not to encourage you but I might be interested in the 5.0 stuff)
And probably the biggest question, if you don't mind, why? What's to be gained and is the goal of doing this?
But since you are asking for suggestions... I have not done the math but it seems to me if you put even half of what you would spend on an LS swap into that SBF you would have more power (and of course better sound) than the LS. So I gotta ask a couple questions if you don't mind.
What are the $$ numbers you are looking at? What do you expect to spend on the LS and what do you think you can get out of the 5.0? (Not to encourage you but I might be interested in the 5.0 stuff)
And probably the biggest question, if you don't mind, why? What's to be gained and is the goal of doing this?
#4
Jim Stainer
Sorry my bad on the LS2. I really have not looked in a while but just a quick search on sub 5 grand Camaros has a ton of hits.
http://bham.craigslist.org/cto/5285474923.html
wrecked 2002 camaro Z28 LS1/6 speed
This would be the same price after parting it.
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/5284451999.html
I didn't look at drop outs because usually the whole car is cheaper but for sure you are better off to get it all in one package.
http://bham.craigslist.org/cto/5285474923.html
wrecked 2002 camaro Z28 LS1/6 speed
This would be the same price after parting it.
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/nat/cto/5284451999.html
I didn't look at drop outs because usually the whole car is cheaper but for sure you are better off to get it all in one package.
#7
V8 Miata Participant
Thread Starter
What are the $$ numbers you are looking at? What do you expect to spend on the LS and what do you think you can get out of the 5.0? (Not to encourage you but I might be interested in the 5.0 stuff)
And probably the biggest question, if you don't mind, why? What's to be gained and is the goal of doing this?
It is looking like another $10,000 to put in an LS after all is said and done. $6K or more of that would be in pieces outside the engine and trans itself. Yeash...
Jim, you are most likely right, I can maybe spend a fraction of that to improve the 5.0 performance. May not get to 176 though! Right now I have the car totally blown apart for paint.
Like I said... weighing the option but
#8
V8 Miata Fanatic
How much spray can a stock block 302 hold before there are issues? Or a better question is at what power level does the block become unreliable?
For cheap LS mills to make top end runs a iron 4.8 is stupid cheap and you could either spray or boost until it gives up and grab up another. I picked one up complete pan to intake and some accessories for $350 (I think...somewhere around there...I forget). Easily make more HP than you can run tire to hold.
I have silly thoughts of pulling that 4.8 crank and making my LS3 a 8k rpm screamer. But I have silly thoughts all the time. Whiskey does that...
For cheap LS mills to make top end runs a iron 4.8 is stupid cheap and you could either spray or boost until it gives up and grab up another. I picked one up complete pan to intake and some accessories for $350 (I think...somewhere around there...I forget). Easily make more HP than you can run tire to hold.
I have silly thoughts of pulling that 4.8 crank and making my LS3 a 8k rpm screamer. But I have silly thoughts all the time. Whiskey does that...
#9
Jim Stainer
Thinking about this a bit more. Considering where you are and that you are admittedly not a GM guy I think my first step would be to reach out to Tbone. My hunch is a full cooler and a couple hours kicking around ideas with him would save many thousands of $$ and much surgery but still get you 176mph capabilities.
The following 2 users liked this post by charchri4:
tbone heller (10-30-2015),
ToySnakePMC (10-30-2015)
#10
V8 Miata Participant
Thread Starter
If I ever run across a "deal" on a GTO or GTO drop out I may have to snag it. Other than that, maybe a rear turbo setup or 5.0 Joe is working on a Vortec setup that may just work.
I do like that tbone setup though. Wicked nice. Those blowers are getting hard to come by now...
I do like that tbone setup though. Wicked nice. Those blowers are getting hard to come by now...
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