jg95z28

Anyone seen the LS7 Solstice in Hot Rod? Even they suggested you're better off buying a Z06 with the cost of installation and other mods required to make the swap work. I'm sure someone has (or will) swap an LS7 into a 4th gen Camaro. However the total cost will well exceed the price of a new Z06. FWIW, by the time the Camaro returns, the LS7 will be out of production and Corvette will be using the LS9. Personally that's the beast I'd love to see in my next Camaro.

Z284ever

I'd like to see a 6.2L ....oh....let's call it LS8, in the same state of tune as the LS7, for the Z/28.

Stick only.

mgreen

How the heck would the cost exceed a new Z06? Say you go get a clean low mileage 2002 Z28 6spd for $20k. (obviously we can all get a '98-2002 Z28 for ~8-12k in decent shape)

Spend $14k on the motor, $2k in miscellaneous dry sump plumbing, etc. (high end of possible costs. . . and a few hundred in a big hp fuel pump. . .

You're only at ~$37k. . . now if you wanted the corresponding components to handle that hp, that's different, but you can still go get a 4th Gen LS1 with a 12 bolt or 9" rear already in place with a good clutch, for ~$10-25k.

So, ~$30k less than a Z06. . . don't see what the big deal is with swapping in an LS7. . . no different than taking out the LS1, rebuilding it with bigger sleeves & stroker, and putting it back in.

LPE427Fbird

Heck, I had LPE put a 427 into by '98 Formula Fbird...cost a bunch...but it was worth it...talk about one heck of a ride..do I envision a 427 camaro?, no..probably not...unless you consider dealers like Berger...I sincerely hope they keep the ZL-1 name alive in the 5th gen like they did the 4th gen...whatever may be under the hood...

RussStang

I doubt that. The Solstice was an expensive swap, because there was so much stuff than needed to be custom fabbed. Obviously the car was never designed with a v8 in mind from GM. I really, really doubt you would even approach the price of a z06 when dropping an LS7 in a 4th gen. Given the LS7s dimensions, it should just drop right in for the most part.

However, if someone wanted a 7.0L engine in their 4th gen, there are cheaper routes to go than an LS7.

RussStang

So would I. Is this a hypothetical?

Z284ever

Sort of. But there was that document floating around that desciribed the LS8 with 480-500 hp for the 2010/11 timeframe.

RussStang

Hmmm. Does that mean stick only as well? Just to clear things up, the LS8 is a blower free motor designation, correct?

Z284ever

According to the doc. it's normally aspirated, with manual and auto.

Z284ever

Here it is:



If I were going to guess, I'd say it's plausible that the next Z06 gets the LS8 and Sting Ray gets the LS9.

I'd be fine with a normally aspirated LS8 Z/28.

DrewSG

What size motor is the LS8?

RussStang

I completely forget about that document. So the LS3 would simply be a lower output LS8?

95redLT1

Sting Ray? is that what they are going to call the Blue Devil?

5thgen69camaro

Dang! GM Perfomance Parts Test Vehicle... Would love to drive that thing!

jg95z28

I'm too lazy to search. Go back a few months a look for the article from Hot Rod which I posted where the head of GM performance said that they already knew an LS based motor would fit in the Solstice when Hot Rod suggested they wanted to try to shoehorn an LS7 in one. Sure most of the costs included custom one-off parts; however it also took them a lot of time dialing it in to handle the power at the rear wheels.

My point is (was?) the LS7 is an exotic hand built motor. GM is working on a massed produced replacement that will out perform it. It just so happens it will have a smaller displacment, but is that really important if the performance numbers are just as good, if not better?