V8 Engines Exported Worldwide What Are You Looking For?
GM Chevrolet Gen 3 & 4 Engines
A Brief History
The LS1 was the first introduced in 1997 5.7L(346 CID)
Gen 3 is available in 4.8L, 5.3L, 5.7L, and 6.0L with cathedral port heads.
Beginning with the LS2, the cam position sensor and knock sensors were relocated, and it is designated a Gen 4. The tooth count of the crank position reactor wheel was increased from 24 to 58 teeth for improved timing accuracy.
Beginning in 2005, the Gen 4 lineup discarded the 5.7L, and 2007 saw the first 6.2L engines in cars and trucks.
Rectangle intake ports were first introduced (in Australia) in 2007 and are commonly referred to as LS3 heads, but are found on other engines such as the L92, L98, and LY6.
In my opinion, the best choice for a performance LS-style motor, taking this into account, will be the 6.0L LY6 aluminum block with LS3 heads or the L98 and L9H 6.2L with these same heads.
Earlier engines connecting rods are not as strong as found in the later model engines.
These older engines can still be found, but tend to have over 200,000 miles on them because they are so old now.
A Camaro or Corvette LS1or LS6 engine starting around $3000US, with transmission $4000US.
The LQ4 and LQ9 were 6.0L (366 CID) iron block motors used in trucks, SUVs, and Caprice.
They are popular to use for boosted (super/turbocharged) builds, as are the low-cost 5.3L (327CID) engines.
Aluminum block motors weigh 106 pounds, iron 216 pounds. The difference in a drag race is 0.12 seconds.
The LS2 is a 6.0L aluminum block engine and was introduced as a replacement to the 5.7. It was very popular in Holdens. The L76 version introduced Active fuel management (AFM). AFM is a system controlled by the ECU AKA ECM AKA the computer to control oil pressure to the lifters. At cruising loads 4 cylinders a deactivated. The loss of power is unnoticed, and the fuel consumption is decreased. This is a good thing, especially with NZ petrol prices. However, the lifters can malfunction, spoiling operation. Malfunction is not common, but it does happen. Clean oil of the correct viscosity is important. Repair or replacement of fail lifters will add cost.
The L92 is a 6.2 aluminum block, this is the one people want. The average cost for an engine only is $5000NZ plus shipping to NZ approx. $700NZ
L99 Engine: Compression Ratio 10.4:1 Horsepower Rating: 400 hp Torque Rating: 410 ft./lbs.
L92 Engine:-Compression Ratio 10.5:1Horsepower Rating 403 hp Torque Rating 417 ft./lbs.
LS3 Engine: Compression Ratio 10.7:1 Horsepower Rating: 426-436 hp Torque Rating: 420-428 ft./lbs.
The LS7 is a 7.0L (427CID) Corvette motor with better heads, dry-sump oiling and titanium rods. They typically sell the above as used.
Used engines
Engine sold by salvage yards in the US are described as running when removed. Most engines will like
Once the engine arrives in New Zealand, it is too expensive to return to the US for an exchange.
I am providing these engines at the lowest cost I can, however I will provide a basic inspection of the engine.
I look for physical damage.
I remove the spark plugs and look at them.
I then spin the motor over with the starter and perform a compression test on each cylinder.
If I find trouble, I talk with the engine supplier about a replacement option.
The Brain or Computer
The terms PCM (Powertrain Control Module), ECU (Engine Control Unit), and ECM (Engine Control Module) are used generically by many people. A PCM will control both engine and transmission functions. ECU ECM TCM TCU (Transmission Control Unit) only controls one system.
Wire Harness
When the engine arrives to me with the PCM and wire harness, it is not ready to start. The harness lacks terminals, specifically the OBD-II port. I can have the harness prepared, and the PCM reprogrammed for a swap application.
Or a new harness.
Or a new PCM system, but aftermarket ECUs can't shift more than 4 gears.
The factory PCM requires someone to go inside and turn various programs off before the engine will start.
I offer this service.
I also offer other labor parts options.
Camshaft change.
New oil pump.
Cylinder head CNC porting.
Other options.
Just for the record, here are the aluminum block engines.
5.3L LM4 L33 LH6 LC9 LH8 LH9 LS4
5.7L LS1 LS6
6.0L LS2 L76 L77 LY6 L96
6.2L LS3 L99 L92 L9H L94
Why don't you just tell me what a motor will cost me?
It is not that simple, but I will say the lowest priced aluminum block engine without transmission or ECM landed in NZ is like $8600NZ.
It goes up from there.
If you are looking for a similar engine for $5000NZ you need to look locally or in Australia.
Looking on eBay USA shows you what Americans pay for these engines.
I plan to ship a few engines out to a friend in New Zealand who plans to sell them at a swap meeting for $1000 NZ more than buying them directly from me.
We believe there are more people in New Zealand looking for these engines, but we will not send money to the US and wait, hoping for the best.
There are plenty of stories out there of people being burned by crooks in the US.
By removing this concern you only have to pay $1000NZ more.
more POwer
Torque (Tq) is the measured power of an engine.
It can be represented as acceleration speed or ability to pull a heavy load.
It is primarily generated by cubic capacity, therefore a 7.4L will make more Tq than a 6.0L and a 6.0L more than 5.3L.
Compression ratio plays a very small part, stock motors all a short duration camshaft, so no gains there.
As mentioned, the intake will play a factor.
So how much are the Tq differences?
Simply multiply the CID of a Gen 3 SBC by 1.0 to get peak ft/lbs of torque.
Therefore, a 5.3L will make 327Tq and a 6.0L 366Tq.
Horsepower (Hp) is Tq X RPM :- 5252.
The higher the Tq can climb in the RPM range, the higher Hp.
To achieve this, you need to increase airflow beyond the supplied factory settings.
A longer duration camshaft holds the valves open for longer, allowing more air to flow in and out.
This will raise the RPM where peek Hp is produced.
However, a corresponding loss of Tq (or Hp) will occur below 3000 RPM.
Vacuum at idle is reduced for the power brakes, and the sound of the idle becomes choppier.
"Porting" the cylinder heads or replacing them with higher-performance heads also allows more air to flow through the engine, increasing HP.
Increasing Hp can win races, but will not increase the pulling power use by a truck.
The most effective way to increase both Tq and Hp is with an aftermarket longer stroke crankshaft making more CID.
Cathedral V Rectangle
So should you look for a cathedral (cat) port or rectangle (rec) port head motor? That depends on the power level you are seeking. Cat heads flow approximately 335 CFM at a 600 intake valve lift, whereas rec heads flow 360 CFM.
In a back-to-back dyno test comparison, a 408CID motor made 475Tq with cat heads and 460Tq with rec heads.
At 4000, they matched Tq at 483.
At peak Hp RPM 6200, cat 543Hp 460Tq rec 581Hp 492Tq.
AFR cat heads made 602Hp 510Tq.
New engines
I do build new engines.
If you are wanting something special contact me and let's discuss what you are looking for, be it a GM build or a custom construction.