So here's the deal with 1SC-YA: it's making 411 horses/382 foot-pounds at the wheels, SAE. The big S60 takes wicked-hard launches no problem on the Mickey Thompson drag radials, but a persistent clutch problem is preventing power shifts. It has gone a 12.33 at 111.57 mph, but the baseline drag run-with 317 rear-wheel horses and a 109-mph trap speed-shows how much is being left on the table here.
Ever since the big LS3 debuted in the Corvette in 430 and 436-horse forms, late-model F-body owners have been salivating at the idea of bolting it into their rides. I was no different, and to add fuel to my fire, the GM Performance Parts crew informed me that they'd created a spiced-up version of the LS3, dubbed the LS376/480. That nomenclature is pretty straightforward: 376 cubic inches and 480 horsepower, with the extra 50 ponies coming from a bigger camshaft. Everything else is pure LS3-including the 58x reluctor wheel.
You don't do a GMPP crate swap without certain factory and aftermarket parts, which is why I immediately called Scoggin-Dickey. SD provides all of the original GM parts needed, while stocking some of the best performance parts-from balancer bolts to signature crate engines! Scoggin shipped out all of the little parts needed, a couple of the custom, swap-specific goodies, and even an OEM M6 wiring harness, as mine was in bad shape.
Finally, I turned to Matt Sorian and his crew at TT Performance Parts to see if they'd be interested in doing the swap. Matt and his staff give off a friendly vibe and are quick to joke around with you when you visit their shop, but don't let it fool you: these guys are specialists in LS performance and tuning. And a recent expansion into road race builds and suspension setups has lots of very serious Corvettes and hybrids rolling into the shop! They had the experience with motor swaps, and the skills to troubleshoot any problems that might arise, so when they happily accepted, I was thrilled.
For part I, I'll be covering the removal of the LS1 and the transfer of parts-both new and the used LS1 pieces-onto the LS376/480. Future installments will show the installation of a new dual-disc clutch, the LS376/480 crate, and the new wiring harness. And I'll showcase some amazing new technology that makes this Gen IV swap a breeze-without having to tear apart the engine!
 1SC-YA roasting the hides...  1SC-YA roasting the hides at Englishtown. I initially set this car up as a street/road course car, with serious street/road course suspension, Konis, a killer alignment, and a Spec clutch with lightweight options... |  ...Power goodies followed,...  ...Power goodies followed, and the LS1 now makes 411 horses and 382 lb-ft at the wheels after a budget heads/cam/bolt-on story. This engine loves to rev, but could stand some more torque for better streetability. |  GM Performance Parts is famous...  GM Performance Parts is famous for enhancing the General's designs, then selling the hot-rodded goodies to eager enthusiasts. In the LS376/480's case, GMPP starts with the 6.2-liter, 430-horse LS3; 376 cubes with a 4.06 bore and 3.62 stroke. The bottom end-featuring a nodular iron crank, powdered metal rods, and hypereutectic aluminum pistons-is anchored by the 6-bolt mains we know and love. Rectangle-port, 68cc LS3 heads with 2.16 intake/1.59 exhaust valves mean a 10.7:1 compression ratio, and provide massive airflow capability-so GMPP adds an LS Hot Cam (PN 88958733) featuring 219/228 duration and .525-inch lift, with a 112 LSA. That brings the horsepower total to 480, and ups the max rpm to 6,600! The LS376/480 carries a part number of 19171224. Retail is $8,928, but you can grab it for only $6,650 at Scoggin-Dickey (www.sdparts.com). |