GM crate LS7 454 specs & price

[John]

I am going to look at a supposedly NEW in the crate GM LS7 454 motor that was purchased from GM in the 1990's.... Can any tell me the specs and casting dates of the block and heads that I should look for on this motor?
.... also what is a ballpark price that would be reasonable to pay ...if it is what he says it is?

thanks guys... <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/youguysrock.gif

[Born30YrsLate]

Likely a 445 casting for the block 990 on the heads...and an XCH stamped on the front of the block above the timing chain...guessing they go for ~$4k-$5k

[Born30YrsLate]

...check that...or 188 casting heads...

[John]

.... would it have aluminum heads?

I think that is what is on it <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif

[Fast67VelleN2O]

No. It would have cast iron heads.

[John]

.... I will get the dates and casting numbers.... thanks <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[luzl78]

A member here (cranberry70ssl34) has been trying to sell a crate ls7 for years on this site. He wants $10,000. Latest for sale in parts section is 11/13/13 if you want to look at the ad.

[Smokey]

I noticed 4-5 over the last few years up for sale but no one is taking them at the 7.5-13k price point they been asking. Local guy has one for the last 10 years at $7500 that is sitting in an speed shop that builds drag car motors and even there, no one bites on it. I been tempted many times to buy that one as its one of the ones from the late 70's from what I been told.

[luzl78]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Smokey</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I noticed 4-5 over the last few years up for sale but no one is taking them at the 7.5-13k price point they been asking. Local guy has one for the last 10 years at $7500 that is sitting in an speed shop that builds drag car motors and even there, no one bites on it. I been tempted many times to buy that one as its one of the ones from the late 70's from what I been told. </div></div>i think the one I spoke about is from 1973!

[WILMASBOYL78]

The LS7 motors were really something...lots of guys used them back in the day as an instant 11 to 10 second bolt on<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

I would look at what it would cost to gather the correct parts and build from scratch...then compare that to the asking price. If you buy a never run motor...you still may want to check things out before turning the key <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif

***Chevy specs called for aluminum heads initially on these motors...I believe all the over the counter versions had iron heads. This was basically a larger displacement L-88 with a better cam. It had to make way north of 500hp...40 years later and we are still talking about them...good stuff never goes out of style <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif

[bulletpruf]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: WILMASBOYL78</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The LS7 motors were really something...lots of guys used them back in the day as an instant 11 to 10 second bolt on<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/3gears.gif

I would look at what it would cost to gather the correct parts and build from scratch...then compare that to the asking price. If you buy a never run motor...you still may want to check things out before turning the key <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif

***Chevy specs called for aluminum heads initially on these motors...I believe all the over the counter versions had iron heads. This was basically a larger displacement L-88 with a better cam. It had to make way north of 500hp...40 years later and we are still talking about them...good stuff never goes out of style <<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif </div></div>

I had one years ago. Iron heads. It was purchased in the 80's and dropped into a Chevy II bracket car. Was running in the 10's.

I always thought it would be neat to build an LS-7 70 Chevelle just to see what it would run. Apparently that's what it was going to be installed in but Chevrolet got cold feet.

Scott

[Astock]

The last one I bought was in 2003 for 2500...long block brand new in the crate. I can't imagine why they would triple in value in the last 10 years.

The last BBC I had built, I used a 289 casting 4 bolt block, and 074 aluminum heads purchased from Santa Cruz Jason, and sent it to Gary Box in Cleveland. Crower roller valve train, 510 stroker...700 Plus hp. Looked look a L-88 with correct dated block and heads for around 10K.

Why would someone pay 10K for late 70's or 80's castings. Even new in the crate, they still need to be torn down, and checked out.

I'll take the vintage castings with superior internals any day of the week, not to mention more cubes, 150 plus more street able hp, for the same price.

Like has been said even after 40 years the LS7 is up on a pedestol.... much like the late 60's 1970 Hemis.

[lowmile]

I purchase 3 LS7's from a boat dealer in 2003 for 2800 each. That is what he said he paid for them. They were 1973 engines and still in the crate. I put one in a 70 Nova and it ran mid 11's with a 4 speed. Fun car.

[SuperNovaSS]

I sold this NOS LS7 engine last year for $6500. It was new and perfect in everyway:

http://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/484424/1

It sold fairly quickly and the guy I sold it to had it on Ebay not too long later for $8000. It may or may not have sold.


I thought this may help with the value. I imagine you could build a nicer engine for less but the history and mistique(Sp?) of a LS-7 engine carries a lot of weight.


Jason

[Big Block Bill]

&quot;Even new in the crate, they still need to be torn down&quot;

I have had 3 of these over the last 28 years, and they all needed to be torn down and gone through. If not you were asking for failure. The last one lasted 975 miles before it spun a main bearing resulting in a complete overhaul. It currently resides in my collection with 13:1 pistons &amp; a .645 Competition Cams, Hydraulic roller set up in it and has never been fired. You can have that for $6500.00 if you want it, I think the machinist's bill was $3800.00 just for the machine work and pistons (Not trying to steal anyone's thread here) The LS6 versions were more reliable. They had the XAA stamp on the pad, were 9 to 1 compression and a lot more user friendly. They ran on pump gas.

I currently have my last LS-6 (XAA) in my 1966 Impala SS. I never paid more than $3500.00 for an LS-7 crate engine, but the last one I bought was in 2005. So I'd call it $5500 tops for an N.O.S. XCH LS-7 in the crate as a current value. When you could keep one together they ran in the 11:00's all day long right out of the box. I hope this has some value into what you are looking for.

Bill