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Jan. 28, 2012 9:21 p.m. chaparral Reader

Older "garagiste" F1 cars and IndyCars used to be designed around either a Cosworth DFV or a Chevy small-block. These engines are about the same physical size.

Does the GM LS7 have any oiling issues in very-high-g racing use? Could I get away with a "check everything regularly, change very little infrequently" maintenance schedule on one? Is there a gearbox that doesn't take up half of "Prepare to Win" but will handle 505 hp and wide tires?

An $9000 engine that makes more power than a strong DFV and doesn't need an annual rebuild sounds appealing. It would certainly free up cash and time to keep the suspension and chassis in tip-top shape.
Jan. 29, 2012 6:47 a.m. Kram New Reader

chaparral wrote:

Does the GM LS7 have any oiling issues in very-high-g racing use? Is there a gearbox that doesn't take up half of "Prepare to Win" but will handle 505 hp and wide tires?

Hewland DG300 gearbox or maybe take your chances with a Porsche G50.

Oiling is the same for any wetsump engine, you will get to certain 'g' forces where it will go bang, Accusump will help, dry sump will cure.
Jan. 29, 2012 7:30 a.m. unevolved Dork

Apparently they've got consistent issues in high-G left-hand turns. Nothing that can't be fixed, but it's there.
Jan. 29, 2012 9:16 a.m. Javelin SuperDork

Uh, ahem, the LS7 is dry-sump fellas.
Jan. 29, 2012 10:36 a.m. HiTempguy SuperDork

500hp for $9k is actually a terrible deal in the chebby small block world.

If you are looking for a turn key package, I guess it's good, but if you are going through all of that work it would seem you'd be able to piece something together yourself... and as said, even with a dry sump, it still has issues.
Jan. 29, 2012 12:28 p.m. Schmidlap HalfDork

As Unevolved mentioned, left hand corners at greater than 1G for more than 4 seconds causes a 20psi drop in oil pressure, according to a guy with a Z06 who did some testing.

CorvetteForums brings the tech...

Bob
Jan. 29, 2012 5:32 p.m. friedgreencorrado SuperDork

There used to be a series that used old Indycar chassis with Chevy stockblock power. From what I can tell, they've folded..but it's been done.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Indycar_Series
http://www.trackforum.com/forums/showthread.php?145015-American-IndyCar-Series
Jan. 29, 2012 5:59 p.m. Knurled Dork

HiTempguy wrote:

500hp for $9k is actually a terrible deal in the chebby small block world.

Well, there's 500hp, and then there's 500hp, you know?

I wouldn't expect a 500hp drag engine to last more than a handful of laps. I wouldn't expect a 500hp claimer circle track engine to last very long between freshenings, either.

For that matter, you can make 500hp from any old engine of that architecture - Hot Rod made 450hp from a 4.8 without really trying too hard. (The infamous 1200hp eBay Turbo motor)

In theory, though, what you get with an LS7 is a package that has zero drivability "quirks" and has been judged stout enough to have been given an OEM warranty at that power level.