nice job,,what turbos did you go w/ ?

I noticed you said you were replacing blown bbc engines that were burning 110gph EACH. Im hoping these were making at least 1000hp each neighborhood ?

I do understand some engine designs are more fuel efficient than others, but at some point it still takes x amount of fuel to make x amount of hp.

in the truck world, when the LS was an option along side the 8.1L bbc engine, the fuel savings were not all that impressive in my opinion. If you took a mid 2000s chevy 3500 dually 4x4 , with a 4.10 rear, and towed a boat, its not like the 8.1 got 8mpg while the 6.0 liter ls was getting 16mpg towing the same load. There was a small fuel mileage gain with the 6 liter, but it also didnt make nearly the torque the 8.1 liter did, nor did it make that torque at such a low rpm as the 8.1 liter did.

Ive had a few tow rigs . A 6 liter ford diesel, 5.4 gas ford, v10 gas ford, and 454 vortec chevy. They all got in the 8-10mpg range towing a heavy boat. My theory is it simply requires x amount of fuel to keep a truck/boat going at 70mph, and theres only so much fat to trim to get it done.

I dont buy the story that a 600hp LS is gonna be a huge game changer for your wallet at the gas pump over a similarly equipped bbc making 600hp.

That being said, looking forward to the results. Always fun to see something different being built.

I like the thought of these LS builds. I'm actually researching turbo LS's right now for my 1980 Turbo Trans Am build. (i'm ignorant) But, it seems that the LS community thinks they can break the laws of thermodynamics pertaining to fuel consumption. I believe they are confusing power per cubic inch and fuel efficiency. It's a smaller engine making huge power therefore it is easier on fuel. They are great power plants from what I am reading. I'm intrigued with this build.

Btw MT, that's why I went with the 3:73 8.1L truck...

Thanks! These were garret with our water-cooled housings. Tial provides the basic housing, but we have to make quite a few modifications to fit the package. Moving forward all of our LS and Merc turbo kits are Zona Rotor. They are cast, machined and assembled right here in the USA with the marine environment in mind.

I completely agree, Joe. The only cost savings to be had when it comes to A plat form to B plat for is how much fuel it consumes while at idle. Unless we are talking diesel, those are wildly efficient under load.

I am currently debating on whether I should reinstall a BBC 467 8.72:1 CR, or buy everything for the L92 with vvt delete, cam, lifters, and pushrod upgrade I have sitting in the garage for around $3500. Weight savings and the ability to spin higher rpm may justify the Tq loss some. But then again going to a 376(even stroked to 408) from a 467 is a big difference in low end Tq capabilities. This would be going in a 1977 24' Panther/cheetah/lancer all the same hull. I've been waking up for the past month every morning talking myself in and out of one or the other. That being said I' am interested to see how these turnout. Of course budget is a priority for me being young and trying to have some offshore fun, should probably just reinstall the 467 and enjoy boating... see here I go again talking myself out of the Ls.... Kids..
Those water cooled housings are pretty neat, did some research on that. I didn't realize how many are actually available.

If your running a 24/7 in lake erie...weight is not your enemy.

You painted the intake gasket surface or am I missing something?

Kinda, because it's o-rings. As long as the paint is cured it shoudn't cause a problem in a NA application.

Think my setup is around 3000-3500lbs as it sits I haven't weighed it yet, and yes lake Erie will be the majority of my boating. I can see how weight would help to a point. Either way I thought it would be neat to see an older boat like mine with a Ls swap especially because its kind of a newer generation thing. Then all the old die hard bbc guys could see the new with the old. Really just a good conversation piece while having some soda pops on a beach if anything.

that was why i was asking about how much power your blower motors were making that were consuming 110gph worth of fuel. At only 870hp, that BSFC number would be off the chart .

Theres alot of NA bbc engines being built today, that have great cylinder heads, proper camshafts, induction etc, that net sub .500 brake specifics. Of course if some slapped together old turd with a pig rich carb on top , and an overall poor combo, then yes it will be a guzzler.

looking awesome

what accessory brackets are you using?is the circ. pump(bolts onto engine block) a gm unit or a modded one?

Nice looking setup...not sure how the 102 mm TB going to be on a boat...may hurt the power where you need it most

Pretty cool setup honestly. Nice tight little package. Well done OP!
Plus its an LS and we all know they rock (make big power and a monkey can work on them)!

You almost want to go straight to a museum so it doesn't get dirty. Beautiful.

BTW - Does anyone have the dyno sheet/numbers for a stock Merc 330 or 420? I'd love to see how the torque numbers compare.