The BrandtTuning Budget LS project began with a desire to build a budget engine using the (now) commonly available commodity engines. Previous platforms used for updating/building budget engines, such as the Chevrolet small block 350/400 are becoming more rare in the used factory engine market. Now, the commonly available engines are the Chevy 5.3/6.0 LS.
To make use of the LS engine for dirt track, there are a few basic requirements. Rule packages require the use of a Distributor for ignition timing and operation. GM Performance and AllStar Performance both make kits to accomplish this. We chose to use the GM Performance timing cover so we could also utilize a traditional mechanical fuel pump. A quick note on the GM kit: common failures occur on the mechanical fuel pump due to insufficient oiling with the kit design. We chose to skip drilling holes in the galley plate, and instead added our own oil squirter design to the front cover to provide sufficient oiling for the fuel pump eccentric and distributor gear.
For our build, we started with a stock GM LQ4 from a 2005 Chevy Express van. From this core, we were able to reuse the block, crankshaft, rods, heads, and valves. We replaced pistons, camshaft, lifters, pushrods, rockers, valve springs, oil pump, factory bar bell, timing cover, oil pan, valve covers, and intake. The crankshaft and rods are rated to around 800hp and 7500 rpm (rods being the weak point). Our built aimed to hit around 600hp with a redline of 6800rpm. The build has an incredibly consistent torque curve from around 2500-5000rpm, with peak HP around 6400rpm.
We plan to take the car and engine to the chassis dyno, for fine tuning and to get logs of actual power production with this build.
