whats truly needed to swap an ls engine
01-05-2016 | 11:09 PM
#182
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Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,394
Likes: 926
From: LBC, OH
For anyone looking to do the LS swap, I recently finished up testing a version of our CAN-2-CAN marine gateway for the LS and Duramax. As posted on page 1, you can simply ditch the factory LS MAF setup and switch to speed density by EFIlive tuning. That should run ya about $300 or so. Now all the GM wiring harness and ECM remains intact, and the gateway we built for the Holley EFI guys will convert all the gauges to your favorite digital display or Livorsi gauges. That covers the electronics side for cheap, leaving more $$ to buy some good marine headers and marine alternator.
02-04-2016 | 08:24 AM
#183
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 273
Likes: 4
From: Dayton, OH/Burnside KY
Just a little update, finally got this on the dyno and I was very pleased with the results!!! 572.3hp 566ft-lb!! This was on a very conservative tune as I am just as concerned with reliability as I am with performance. There isn't much doubt in my mind that it could make 600 with some more timing, but I am less worried about making a dyno number than I am having a great summer on my boat!!!
Video of it idling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaB0H2uw5JE
One of the first pulls, made 560 I think.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOUTehkQt20
From outside through mufflers. Damn thing sounds SICK!!!! Can't wait to hear it through my Lightnings. This was the 572.3 pull
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGyRDXxjftk
I was amazed at how damn good this motor sounds. Its super crisp on the throttle response and idles at 800rpm like a dream. I have been busting my ass all this week to get the rigging in the boat done so I can drop it in.
Oh yeah, to the asshat that said I was "molesting" my boat, after doing some fine measuring, I don't even have to drill new holes in my stringers to mount the damn thing. It will literally "drop in" with the motor mount conversion brackets I bought.
Video of it idling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CaB0H2uw5JE
One of the first pulls, made 560 I think.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOUTehkQt20
From outside through mufflers. Damn thing sounds SICK!!!! Can't wait to hear it through my Lightnings. This was the 572.3 pull
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGyRDXxjftk
I was amazed at how damn good this motor sounds. Its super crisp on the throttle response and idles at 800rpm like a dream. I have been busting my ass all this week to get the rigging in the boat done so I can drop it in.
Oh yeah, to the asshat that said I was "molesting" my boat, after doing some fine measuring, I don't even have to drill new holes in my stringers to mount the damn thing. It will literally "drop in" with the motor mount conversion brackets I bought.
02-04-2016 | 08:56 AM
#184
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,357
Likes: 31
From: Moultonborough NH
Very nice! Would you be willing to post the dyno graph? I would be interested to see where the motor makes peak torque and how fat the torque curve is. Also, I am a little confused looking at your previous posts, is this a 6.0 or 6.2?
02-04-2016 | 09:07 AM
#185
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Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 273
Likes: 4
From: Dayton, OH/Burnside KY
As for the motor, it started as an aluminum 6.0 LS2 but was bored .030 and stroked to a 408ci. So roughly 6.7L now.
02-04-2016 | 09:30 AM
#186
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,357
Likes: 31
From: Moultonborough NH
I love it. I am building a 408 for my Corvette right now. Ported LS3 heads, LS3 injection setup, Cam Motion cam. Those are good numbers for a water friendly cam profile. I am curious how longevity will be with the longer stroke and aluminum block in a marine application. Can't wait to hear your results when it is in the boat.
02-04-2016 | 10:42 AM
#187
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,854
Likes: 786
From: St. Pete Beach, FL
Just a little update on what I am doing. With that LS1 being junk, I kept Looking and pretty much hit a goldmine. I bought a pretty well built 6.2L LS3. It's the stock aluminum block, stock crank (for now), Oliver H-beam rods and Mahle forged flat tops. It also came with a set of PRC cathedral port heads that have an awesome cnc port job on them. The motor had a billet oil pump in it that some how cracked and a small piece of it got stuck in a rod bearing causing it to spin the bearing. This is all after only 2000 miles of run time. It scarred up the journal on the crank. I'm going to see if it can be turned down, but if not I'll just replace it with a Callies or Eagle crank. I got all this for $2000, and it was even delivered to me!! With the higher compression of the 6.2, I have decided to run the motor N/A instead of using the Procharger. But I really don't think my hp target of 550-600 will be hard to obtain with this motor natural. I have everything apart and going to the machine shop this weekend to be checked and re-assembled. Then I will be calling Bob Madera for a cam and go from there. I already talked to Lightning and they are going to build me a set of dry to the tip headers for the motor, so I should be able to go a little more radical with the cam. I have also decided to carb the motor, just to keep it simple and cost effective. I can't wait to see what this is going to do in my boat next year!!! A lot more horsepower than my stock 454 and drop 400lbs+ out of the transom. Should sound pretty bad ass too!!
02-04-2016 | 10:45 AM
#188
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,854
Likes: 786
From: St. Pete Beach, FL
The Holley Mid-rise picks up a bit of torque on the low end.
https://www.holley.com/products/inta.../parts/300-126
I'm working on some marine kits for the LS motors if anyone is interested. The will consist of exhaust, sea pump, accessory drive, flywheel, wiring harness bracket, and motor mount adapters.
Marine cam and Holley EFI packages also available.
https://www.holley.com/products/inta.../parts/300-126
I'm working on some marine kits for the LS motors if anyone is interested. The will consist of exhaust, sea pump, accessory drive, flywheel, wiring harness bracket, and motor mount adapters.
Marine cam and Holley EFI packages also available.
02-04-2016 | 10:53 AM
#189
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,854
Likes: 786
From: St. Pete Beach, FL
At what point does the LS motor have to give way to the BBC? I would be willing to bet an LS motor will blow away a 330hp 7.4 and a 365hp 454 Mag. It would probably beat a 415hp 502 mag. I am thinking the Merc 525 will be where the big blocks start gaining on the LS but I would bet the LS would perform better below that. LS Engines are awesome and move a ton of air. Cant wait to see the results of this build!
Last edited by hogie roll; 02-04-2016 at 10:58 AM.
