[mr 4 speed]

With a tunnel ram:

Rare LS-7 Crate Engine Finally Fired Up After Sitting in a GM Crate for 44 Years

A N.O.S. LS-7 454 big-block Chevy from 1979 runs for the first time at Westech Performance—read what happens!

www.motortrend.com

 

[Harris Roc Malouda]

link to another thread regarding LS7 454

For those who've always wanted to know what a crate...

also another spec listing i found:

 

[Gus]

Good stuff.

The furthest I remember back in the early 80s was the LS6 crate long block was going for $2700 and the LS7 was $2600 or something in that range.

 

[-SS454-]

What a rare find and so cool they tested it. After 44 years, I'd assume the cylinder walls were probably far from perfect. However, in a recent Nascar dyno test I watched on youtube, where the engine sat for nearly 20 years and was full of surface rust on the cylinders and even pitting, it didn't hurt the power much at all.

It also appears the power was still climbing when they shut the pull down. Not sure why they didn't take it to 6500.

I know the article talks about the tunnel ram being good for peak power but reducing peak torque. I do not agree. Hot Rod, Engine Masters, Westech all have tested tunnel rams before, and they all seem to make more power everywhere. This does exclude the sheet metal intakes. I wouldn't be surprised if this tunnel ram was worth a good 30 hp and 15 ft-lbs over the stock LS7 intake.

 

[GoFast Beaumont]

I got one of these LS-7, XCH block, under the bench just sitting around. Not sure what I will ever do with it but it is a cool conversation piece every time someone sees it

 

[427L88]

The roundy round racers in the Supermodified class used these extensively, as well as L88 crates.

 

[70SSOBSESSION]

I got one of these LS-7, XCH block, under the bench just sitting around. Not sure what I will ever do with it but it is a cool conversation piece every time someone sees it

Just let mine go after nearly 40 years. First configuration was close to stock in a 69 ElCamino, then sat under the bench for a few years and then made it into a blower motor with a F2 Procharger. I could not believe what I got for the original parts I sold off. Sorry I let it go but now I’m doing a original 70 LS6 for my Chevelle.

 

['70basketcase]

I have one on the shelf at the moment, its getting a refresh, milling down domes, Brodix RR 270s, Air Gap intake and going in a second gen camaro with a Super T10.. should be fun!

 

[BB68]

I have one on the shelf at the moment, its getting a refresh, milling down domes, Brodix RR 270s, Air Gap intake and going in a second gen camaro with a Super T10.. should be fun!

I would love to have a set of factory open chamber rectangular irons but dang shipping kills every set i find!!!

 

['70basketcase]

I would love to have a set of factory open chamber rectangular irons but dang shipping kills every set i find!!!

We used to hate cast iron because it made our cars heavier, now we hate it because its impossible to ship , and soon we will hate it because we wont be able to lift it anymore...

 

[PSkahill]

Pretty neat.

 

[70SSOBSESSION]

We used to hate cast iron because it made our cars heavier, now we hate it because its impossible to ship , and soon we will hate it because we wont be able to lift it anymore...

You know it’s bad when you are ready to pull a head and you start looking over at the Cherry Picker..

 

['70basketcase]

You know it’s bad when you are ready to pull a head and you start looking over at the Cherry Picker..

Its one thing to lift it from the garage floor and put in on a block sitting on the engine stand... but reaching over the fenders is another story

 

[ekitch]

I would love to have a set of factory open chamber rectangular irons but dang shipping kills every set i find!!!

Yes I have a pair. Casting #3994026. They were sold over the counter only from what I understand. They are dated early 1972.

 

[weidhopper]

I have a set of open chamber square port heads as well. Came with some parts I bought to build my 427.

 

[[email protected]]

I also have a ls7… $2200 bucks back in 1984. I fire it up every spring and wake up the neighbors!

 

[70SSOBSESSION]

I also have a ls7… $2200 bucks back in 1984. I fire it up every spring and wake up the neighbors!

I payed $2000 for mine around the same time. Came with a $500 receipt for rod rework, balance and torque plate hone too. It was new but disassembled. It had been apart for about 10 years. I had it in the car running in about two weeks.