Generation IV Internal Engine - Would like to put an LS7 into 2004 Tahoe...is this possible?

I figured this LS7 specific forum would know the answer to this question. I have seen the complete factory LS7 crate engine offered at $12,999 through the Jeg's catalog.

This crossed my mind when I received literature from Procharger concerning the h.p. increase for a stock 5.3 liter Tahoe; ~400 rear wheel after install. The LS7, while twice the cost would offer more power with piece of mind of new engine reliability.

In addtion, it should break into the 14's

The LS7 should be able to fit into anything that an LS1 can providing that there is pan clearance for dry sump lines.

You could have that motor rebuilt with forged stuff plus heads and cam for a lot cheaper than an ls7 and have equal if not more power.. The heads on your engine flow really well when ported, youll see a lot of ls1 guys using 5.3 heads.. and if you really needed the extra power you could just add a nitrous shot and be well above ls7 power

You could have that motor rebuilt with forged stuff plus heads and cam for a lot cheaper than an ls7 and have equal if not more power.. The heads on your engine flow really well when ported, youll see a lot of ls1 guys using 5.3 heads.. and if you really needed the extra power you could just add a nitrous shot and be well above ls7 power

The key term he used here is "reliable"....A crate Ls7 is going to be infintely more reliable than anything you just described....No to mention it will also make more power.

The key term he used here is "reliable"....A crate Ls7 is going to be infintely more reliable than anything you just described....No to mention it will also make more power.

I am not opposed to looking at other options such as building up the stock engine, especially if it is cost effective. I have heard the 5.3 heads that are on my tahoe are in fact great, but only if they have substancial porting done to them. I am not interested in running nitrous. I want the power there all time even if means sacrificing high potential numbers.

I have looked at katech packages for the LS7 and it out of my budget. So a stock LS7 or another reliable way to increase horsepower will have to be explored. Thanks.

The key term he used here is "reliable"....A crate Ls7 is going to be infintely more reliable than anything you just described....No to mention it will also make more power.:eyes: if an engine is built right with quality parts it'll be very reliable

I would look at the katech budget 427 short block and then buy ls7 heads and intake. I would thing it could be done for 3k less than buying a ls7 crate. Then all of your stock electronics coulb be used. You are going to need to upgrade to a 4l80e with that much torque. I say buy the budget block and build a mock ls7 minus the dry sump and get a 4l80e to boot for the same price.

I would look at the katech budget 427 short block and then buy ls7 heads and intake. I would thing it could be done for 3k less than buying a ls7 crate. Then all of your stock electronics coulb be used. You are going to need to upgrade to a 4l80e with that much torque. I say buy the budget block and build a mock ls7 minus the dry sump and get a 4l80e to boot for the same price.

Thanks, after factoring the myriad of extras that would be required, I decided to go with the Procharger. Thanks to all that gave their input. I'll have to post results on the forced induction page.

Are you just slapping the Procharger on a stock shortblock with stock piston rings?
And will the 4l65E(?) hold up to the extra power and torque?

Are you just slapping the Procharger on a stock shortblock with stock piston rings?
And will the 4l65E(?) hold up to the extra power and torque?

Yes, and I hope so.

From what I understand, it should be a reliable set up. If you know otherwise I would appreciate your input. I started a thread on the forced induction section and was advised to do exhaust mods at a minimun to pull 400 at the wheel. The only engine upgrade to the stock 5.3 I have considered is installing a very small cam. I will however be changing out the stock muffler and replacing it with a straight through design. Any input is appreciated.

kiss the trans good by if it is stock.

how about the 6.0L crate motors at 345hp for $3500 and drop AFRs and a good cam for 500hp? thats what im going to do when my 5.3 takes a shit

you should be able to get 400 whp for a lot less than 13k....how about some AFR's, a TR224 114LSA cam(if thats too big you can go smaller but that is a great DD cam), and a full exhaust + a tune to pull it all together and you would be at or damn near close to 400 rwhp and it would be a very reliable setup.....

how about the 6.0L crate motors at 345hp for $3500 and drop AFRs and a good cam for 500hp? thats what im going to do when my 5.3 takes a shit

That sounds like a good idea, however, my engine is far from needing replacement. The head and cam idea sounds good but the driveability would have to be near stock. I had a 224 cam in my LT1 stroker and it drove like it had a cam in it. How such a cam would behave in an LS motor is not my expertise. I'm a little nervous about a cam that large.

My big question is why are you trying to make an SUV a race car?.. dude its not an f body,.. its a grocery getter or a bling mobile man.. Use it to tow your fbody, not race down the track ... how much is this ATI kit guna run you? what about fuel upgrades and tuning .. you can just buy yourself a ls1/lt1 roller for the price honestly.. i duno JUST my 2cents .goodluck

5.3Ls are turds and shouldnt even be in GM trucks. Go to SDPC and check out the complete 6.0L Escalade engines for $3699...im sure you can get them cheaper elswhere too. Not sure how hard the swap would be.

http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/120/products/229029/60L-Gen-III-Escalade-Crate-Engine.htm

GM should be ashamed for not offering as an option 350+hp 400+tq 10,000 towing when they have the parts on the shelf to do it. Playing second fiddle is bullshit. I wouldnt own my avalanche if it didnt have 4.10s..the 3.73/3.42 aves cant get out of their own way. 2007s better have some shit as an option at least. Why would they even sell them with pitiful 1/2ton towing capacity compared to the competition? Ok Im done ranting...just GM is stupid.

My big question is why are you trying to make an SUV a race car?.. dude its not an f body,.. its a grocery getter or a bling mobile man.. Use it to tow your fbody, not race down the track ... how much is this ATI kit guna run you? what about fuel upgrades and tuning .. you can just buy yourself a ls1/lt1 roller for the price honestly.. i duno JUST my 2cents .goodluck


wow you are ignorant. there is a tahoe (whitt) and a truck (parish) sure u have heard of him that are both street wehicles that would lay the smack down on a lot of f-bods.

y do it because of people like u. it is fun to beat up on cars and be diffrent. not trying to piss u off but stating the truth.

I was under the impression that when you put a supercharger or turbocharger on any stock motor not designed for it, that the motor was on borrowed time.

Doesn't any sort of FI eventually eat away at the stock rings? And if it is suggested to only run 3 or 4 PSI, then you are wasting your money for a very small power gain, IMO.

I was under the impression that when you put a supercharger or turbocharger on any stock motor not designed for it, that the motor was on borrowed time.

Doesn't any sort of FI eventually eat away at the stock rings? And if it is suggested to only run 3 or 4 PSI, then you are wasting your money for a very small power gain, IMO.
tuning is very key, and usually people want their motor to blow cause its an excuse to go better :)

5.3Ls are turds and shouldnt even be in GM trucks. Go to SDPC and check out the complete 6.0L Escalade engines for $3699...im sure you can get them cheaper elswhere too. Not sure how hard the swap would be.

http://www.sdpc2000.com/catalog/120/products/229029/60L-Gen-III-Escalade-Crate-Engine.htm

GM should be ashamed for not offering as an option 350+hp 400+tq 10,000 towing when they have the parts on the shelf to do it. Playing second fiddle is bullshit. I wouldnt own my avalanche if it didnt have 4.10s..the 3.73/3.42 aves cant get out of their own way. 2007s better have some shit as an option at least. Why would they even sell them with pitiful 1/2ton towing capacity compared to the competition? Ok Im done ranting...just GM is stupid.

For less than $4000 I'll check out the 6.0. It's less than the Procharger and offers the benefit of having a new motor. I suppose working the heads and installing a small cam should make a hundred more horse than what I make currently. As far as the swap, I don't think its too involved. But I am guessing. I have a friend who is a veteran machanic at Chevy who does all my motor installs; two thus far. I imagine he could handle this without too much difficulty. And the gear change is a good idea. I custom ordered my Tahoe with all the options and the 5.3 with 3.73's is the biggest I could go for the 2004 model year.

My big question is why are you trying to make an SUV a race car?.. dude its not an f body,.. its a grocery getter or a bling mobile man.. Use it to tow your fbody, not race down the track ... how much is this ATI kit guna run you? what about fuel upgrades and tuning .. you can just buy yourself a ls1/lt1 roller for the price honestly.. i duno JUST my 2cents .goodluck


Who said I was trying to make a "race car" of my truck? Truth be told, I drive it a lot and think the power is pretty good keeping in mind the context of what it is. However, I ussually engage in spirited driving that most people do not. So the extra power would be used and enjoyed. With new Mustangs running as slow as they do in stock form, a low 14 second Tahoe would be entertaining.

In addition, I also have a speed type boat. It's not a cigarette but it still weighs quite a bit. The extra power would be useful in this aspect too. The ATI kit for my Tahoe retails at approximately $6000, they say however that it is reliable at 8-9 pounds of boost and should increase the power to the wheel by 140 horse before exhaust mods.

Wow a subject that I might be able to help out on.
I was faced with the same exact issue you are with my Z-71 pickup. Unfortunately I ended up getting my motor rebuilt...not the best idea.

My suggestion is to buy an LS2 and put some awesome heads, headers, a good cam like a TR 224-114LSA, and you should have a good deal more power. It isn't quite as expensive as the LS7 but it is a bit more than the 6.0L. I shy away from the 6 liter because what you are wanting to do with it is not what it was built for...less the boat pulling. The 6 liter would be a great choice but I think you are wanting to stretch this thing out and an LS2 will give you a little more room without sacrificing to much Low end.

I don't know what do you LS2 experts think? Would a swap work for him? He would need to tune his computer no mater if he went with the 6 liter truck engine or if he went with the LS2. Good thing is that you will save some weight by going with the LS2.

Also you could consider the new 6.2 as well.

You could rebuild the existing block and have it wet sleeved for a 427 if that was what you were ultimately wanting the LS7 for.