LS7 vs. 350 ci LT5 mods

[Pete]

You boys need to remember the LS7 has 77 more cubes.

Pete

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by XfireZ51

But Paul, the LS7 doesn't drop down to our level of torque until 7K. Up to then, its always higher than the LT-5.

True, but there's where the cubes are making a difference. What I find delicious (if that's a word for engine technology) is the overall comparison of their architectural respective power/torque curves.

As for $/hp, argument, to get from a stock LT5 to a 427 LT5 it could be said that the $$ it would cost today to sell a stock ZR-1 and purchase a C6 Z06 would be pretty close, if not in favor of the LT5. (However, the $$ outlay could be substantially cheaper for the LT5 if you do most of you own work.) So, once you have arrived at displacement parity, let the mod vs mod comparisons begin!

But, that said, the C6 Z06 option also brings with it a modern performance chassis - sporting an aluminum frame and some titanium here and there too. Add to that the new fuel economy requirements and the C6 Z06 with all the trimmings (LS7) may become history and thus one day be the apple of the eye to those like us ZR-1 nuts that appreciate those "pinnacle" examples of Corvettes. So, maybe now would be the time to buy one al la the L88s of their day?

Back to the topic, Marc advertises a 415 LT5 package that makes 600+ hp. I found a dyno graph of such an engine on his web page, and compared to the LS7 architecture, the differences are striking and quite exciting especially when considering there is still a 12 ci disadvantage to the 415 motor!





It begs one to wonder what might have been possible were there big inch heads available for the LT5, where the practical rpm limits might have been...doanit!

I believe this pair of graphs makes the point that Bob G is talking about when he describes the reason why it takes 25+ hp "peak" advantage over an LT5 car for the LS cars to be competitive.

All very interesting...

P.