SL-C powerplant possibility?

$23K for plug and play LS7, apart for convenience and "no wait", seems pretty high-priced for the components included. I would consider wanting to add upgraded rocker arms and internal LS9 oil pump if not included, two areas of potential weakness for the LS7 on the track.
 
I know the LSx represents the "lion's share" of SL-C builds but has anyone yet built a (running) non-push-rod-powered coupe?

....that Merc. V12 would sound just right.... :thumbsup:
 
Hi, everyone. I am new to the forum and looking forward to my SL-C purchase this summer, thanks to the build on Gearz introducing me to this great car( was about to order an Ultima ). Question to Fran or anyone else. Would the Audi R8 V-8/trnas be an option? There are several wrecks out there that can be donors for the drive train minus the Quattro set-up. Thanks in advance.
 
That engine is pretty short for a V8. Assuming you can manage the complexity of the engine and transaxle electronics, I would imagine it would fit fine. I know some people in Europe have converted one or two for Ultimas, and the electronics work was non-trivial. But I'm sure a solution that would work for them would work in the SLC.

Take measurements to be sure, and run them by Fran. Then you'll know for sure.

I'm guessing with the right exhaust it would sound great!
 
The question is, is there enough room for a diff up front without large amounts of modification ;)

The R8's have a manual trans so I'd imagine that would be an 'easier' option and I'm surprised people haven't started using the transaxle in the SL-C/Ultima/GTM/any MR project as apparently they are pretty stout.

Underground Racing tune the Gallardo (same V10 and transaxle as the R8) up 1500 AWHP allegedly so if it can take that in something weight 200-300Kg heavier then I would imagine it would be a walk in the park for it whilst sitting in the SL-C.
 
Can someone school me real quick about something???

Long story short, I plan on buying an SLC in a couple years. I've been pondering different engines to use and I've known a lot of guys who use GM LQ9 engines in their rock crawlers. Here comes the ????

Does the LQ9 use the same exact motor mounts as the LS1-2-3-6-etc?
Will an iron block engine effect the SLC chassis in any way? (weighs about 120lbs more)

Just curious. I had a good talk about picking up a rolling chassis first, then picking up the driveline later.

Thanks in advance for the poor-man's build planning!




FYI: The lq9 can be built to 450-500 hp for just a few grand, including the price of the engine.
 
From my understanding - the LQ9 is a cast iron version of the LS block. You can use LS1 heads and intake, or LS2 heads and intake. You can even mix and match parts, but some intakes don't fit other LS heads, for instance, LS1 heads don't fit LS3 intakes.

I believe the mounts are the same as well.
 
It's the 6.0l out of GM trucks. As far as I know, they are very similar to the LS2. The difference being that it's an iron block. I'm just getting the information on it as I want to build an SLC in a couple years or so. I'd like to be able to build one for around $60k. (Gel coat, rebuilt trans, fiberglass interior, etc). It would be a straight forward build.

I just want to be positive that the LQ9 will work perfectly where an otherwise LS3 would be.
 
Ben, the LQ9's can be had as take-outs for under $2500 with the PCM, the complete harness is around another $100. The architecture is the same as all 6.0 liter blocks be they aluminum or iron.

Justin, if your are waiting a couple of years, make the engine the last purchase (or close).
Never know what neat stuff will turn up.
 
Well under $2500! Low mileage engines are going here for $1000-$1500, including ECM. New heads, intake plenum, exhaust, cams, etc and you'll have 450-500hp all day long. The penalty is the extra 100+ pounds. I can live with that.

Im in the VERY early planning stages, so just wondering if they will work. Thanks for the info!
 
Why hasn't anyone brought up a V6 twin turbo or am I just crazy. That is my current plan, 3.3L Toyota that can rev to 7500-8000 with about 15psi off boost. When I look at the plus and neg of it it just makes sense to me. 250-275 hp na and cost me about 1K with ecu and harness to get the car road going. I am going to leave it NA when I put it in at first to make sure it all works out well and get the car running. I can learn how it feels and drives and get used it at lower power levels. I then plan to build it up with twin turbos, low comp pistons, twin intercoolers, injectors and controller for about $2500 +/- more. So I will have about $3000-3500 in the engine, it will make 500-550hp at 15psi of boost, weight less than a V8 and cost less than almost any engine I have seen so far. Plus having twin turbos spool up quick and hear and feel them will be fun. I can mount the engine about 6" more forward for better weight distribution and balance (It is only 20" long) so the car should handle really good. The turbos add weight, but I am thinking it might still be lighter than a V8 since it is so light and compact to start with plus I only need small turbos. It will be good for cruising around town and be easy on parts. I should be able to use a G50 box and not stress about killing it since there is not that crazy low end torque of an LS engine. I am thinking with the lighter engine and lighter trans than the 997 I might be about 100lbs lighter when all done. The 911 997.1TT makes 600hp reliable all day long with only and free flowing exhaust and ecu reflash so this should work out well. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
If I hate it I can put in a LS376 and better trans later. <o:p></o:p>
 
I actually got lucky on mine I picked up an L92 (same as LS3 except different intake, solid valves and use of VVT). With all the accessories, wire harness and ECU with 18K miles for $2,700. I figure even with a good cam, stoker kit (416ci), and some head work, I shouldn't be much above $7K.
 
I then plan to build it up with twin turbos, low comp pistons, twin intercoolers, injectors and controller for about $2500 +/- more. So I will have about $3000-3500 in the engine, it will make 500-550hp at 15psi of boost,


Is the turbo costs just for the parts? Not that I am an expert on turbo stuff but that seems way cheap for twin turboing anything. Will you be fabbing all the plumbing yourself or are there 'kits' for such things for this engine?
 
I will be doing all fab work myself. I have found when you do a single turbo that one can cost like 5x as much as two small ones that can have better spool up and not heat the air as much. So turbos are about 500 each for t3/t4 or t28. Flanges, oil feed, oil from maybe like 100 ish since standard t3/t4, exh man I will make so only 1.5 piping there, intercooler I got is like 100 each, intercooler iniv pipe and hose kit off eBay for like 100, injectors 250-300, emange for fuel control like 500. So if you fab it all up yourself and do not go crazy it can be cheap. 300hp turbos and intercoolers are cheap if you donut right. I also have a zentronix wideband datalog for tuning.

Oh yah. Pistons 500 and head gasket for like 100. I can run 8-10psi with about 375-425 without pistons and not opening up the engine. My plan is 4 stages. 1 - put in na engine with about 250hp, stage 2- is with larger injectors and fuel control figured out, then add stage 3 with twin turbos at 8psi for about 350-400hp, then stage 4 with about 15-18psi and about 500-550 Hp. All planned out. Now I just need to order the car, should be next week when my Elise is sold and picked up. Soooooon.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top