Im looking into building a LM7 for as much power as i can without replacing my heads or crank. possibly looking into adding a turbo(s). could someone tell me how to achieve my goal? I am new into building engines and not for sure what to do.

 

Without replacing heads? Seems silly, if youre going to open the motor up and add forged slugs and rods, why not replace heads?

RPMSpeed on this forum and Texas Speed online will get you anything you need. Depending on the year of motor, she might already have Gen4 rods and can take 800+ without issue.

If youve never built a motor before, my suggestion is to not use this as a learning experience. Just drop your parts and money off with the machine shop and pick up a finished motor when they call you.

If you want to make 600hp or less, dont even open it up. Just turbo it with a strong fuel system and party on

 

Twin 88mm turbos with nitrous direct port injection

 

I really just want to be able to say that i built the engine. Anyways how would you recommend to upgrade the fuel system? By the way this with a 2001 Silverado Z71 5.3. Any other suggestions?

 

On a 2001, replacing and upgrading the rods is advisable for a boosted setup with a goal of 600hp+, however, at that point there are a lot of other "while you're in there"s. If this is your first learning experience and you're willing to spend a little more than the bare minimum, then I'd suggest picking up a 2nd used motor to build on the side rather than removing a running engine and effectively parking the truck until you figure the build out.
As many will tell you, the stock form of LS motors are very robust and can make great power under boost.
Fuel delivery is often what limits dyno sessions. Upgrading fuel pumps and fuel injectors will be necessary for any considerable power over stock--especially with boost. As for which ones, that will depend on what your HP goal is and how you're achieving that.
"As much as possible" has many variables.
Your 4L60e trans is the greater weak link than anything within the engine. The general consensus is 4L80 or bust.

 

 

Do people not research before hand?

C'mon half this stuff has been covered 80 times by now.

Pistons, rods, small cam, 60-80lb/hr injectors, walbro 450 pump, 2 bar map sensor, turbo on 10-12psi = 500hp.

 

Some do, plenty don't.

There should be a rule that questions like this need to have set areas answered. Maybe make a form to make it easy. For example, goals, usage, budget etc...

OP, read until you can't read any more. Then develop goals and a FIRM budget.

 

And then make sure you have double that amount in your bank account because no one sticks to a car budget. Seriously. Take your budget, double it, and you'll be on budget.

 

No ****..