LS-9 Suburban ? LS-9 Suburban!!

"V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches" (jbv12)
10/12/2014 at 21:38 • Filed to: None

Would it be possible to do a LS-9 suburban ?

DISCUSSION (51)

HammerheadFistpunch > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/12/2014 at 21:50

Possible? yup, cost effective? nope. The big three tricks are:

1. cost - an ls9 crate is going to run you $30,000 all in

2. transmission - you will need a fabricate a manual trans swap (awesome) or an auto trans conversion (tricky)

3. legal - this isn't even remotely legal.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > HammerheadFistpunch
10/12/2014 at 21:51

but LS-9 !

Vicente Esteve > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/12/2014 at 21:53

Why No Tahoe?

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Vicente Esteve
10/12/2014 at 21:55

because bus

Milky > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/12/2014 at 21:58

"up to 540hp" & way easier.

Kinja'd!!!

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Milky
10/12/2014 at 21:59

because bus

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > HammerheadFistpunch
10/12/2014 at 22:00

It's totally legal.

HammerheadFistpunch > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/12/2014 at 22:00

meh, I've driven a 502 crate supercharged k2500 GMT400 that was doing 600+ on hp and ft-lbs back in 2000. My family had a 97 k2500 454 supercharged that was putting out about 390 hp 550 ft-lbs. There are easier and cheaper ways to get that kind of power out of those engines.

HammerheadFistpunch > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
10/12/2014 at 22:01

for vehicles before 1976 or off road only use...

Milky > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/12/2014 at 22:02

But same engine. So you can have bus(suburban) and 540hp with just a supercharger kit.

V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches > Milky
10/12/2014 at 22:03

cool

Vicente Esteve > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/12/2014 at 22:04

Good Answer.

crowmolly > HammerheadFistpunch
10/12/2014 at 22:04

What do you mean with #2?

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > HammerheadFistpunch
10/12/2014 at 22:05

No emissions testing around here.

For Sweden > HammerheadFistpunch
10/12/2014 at 22:05

Why would it not be legal in the US? Emissions?

whoarder is tellurium > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/12/2014 at 22:05

Well, there is this...

HammerheadFistpunch > crowmolly
10/12/2014 at 22:06

The stock trans MAY mate up, but it would likely explode before too long. there is only a few GM LS transmissions that can handle the torque of the ls9

HammerheadFistpunch > For Sweden
10/12/2014 at 22:07

Basically, yes. you CAN get exemptions and its not that hard...but its technically illegal and GM says on the site that its not legal for street use after 1976 (as a crate engine)

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > HammerheadFistpunch
10/12/2014 at 22:10

There are laws governing engine swaps?

For Sweden > HammerheadFistpunch
10/12/2014 at 22:10

Do states care beyond the car passing a smog test?

Aaron James > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/12/2014 at 22:17

Send it to Lingenfelter for an 800 hp twin turbo setup.

http://www.lingenfelter.com/engine-package…

HammerheadFistpunch > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
10/12/2014 at 22:20

its true. they just aren't very heavily enforced. Especially if you pass emissions and you don't pull up in a v12 aztec or something.

crowmolly > HammerheadFistpunch
10/12/2014 at 22:20

Pick a suburban that comes with a 4L80-E and that's that.

HammerheadFistpunch > For Sweden
10/12/2014 at 22:21

technically its the EPA. its the same basic principle behind with rollin coal is illegal, it modifies the cars original emissions systems. Thus pre 1076 are in the clear. Though some states are easier than others. Idaho for example is pretty laissez faire, but California? good luck.

GhostZ > crowmolly
10/12/2014 at 22:23

Stock transmission won't handle the output of the LS9, you'd need either a transfer to the ZR1 transmission (which would be expensive, but also) or a conversion to a more robust automatic transmission, which would be tricky because you'd have to adapt it to the LS9 with custom parts.

GhostZ > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
10/12/2014 at 22:23

Depends on the country.

HammerheadFistpunch > crowmolly
10/12/2014 at 22:24

Yeah a 4L80 would handle the torque, but the ls9 (in corvette form) was never mated to an auto...so im not sure what would need to be modified to work, or if you can find the right torque converter, flex plate etc. Though now I think about it, it was in the CTS-V...though that was another trans an much less power and torque.

GhostZ > V12 Jake- Hittin' Switches
10/12/2014 at 22:24

You'd be better off with just a twin turbo LS2. It would be cheaper, though less reliable.

crowmolly > GhostZ
10/12/2014 at 22:24

If it's a 4L80-E you need to do none of that. New converter, build up the stock trans a bit and go.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > HammerheadFistpunch
10/12/2014 at 22:27

Well SHIT there go my plans for a Lamborghini-powered Aztec. Damn gubmint :(

crowmolly > HammerheadFistpunch
10/12/2014 at 22:29

You can get all of those things. Pro touring guys have done it a few times.

I don't know if I'd trust a stock 4L80-E to take the power though.

HammerheadFistpunch > crowmolly
10/12/2014 at 22:29

Upgraded valve body and replacement trans in the wings?

For Sweden > HammerheadFistpunch
10/12/2014 at 22:30

What about the crate V8 GM makes specifically for California emissions, the E-Rod?

HammerheadFistpunch > Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To
10/12/2014 at 22:30

took the words right out of my mouth. Actually I got close to pulling the trigger on a Toyota V12 for my land cruiser once.

crowmolly > HammerheadFistpunch
10/12/2014 at 22:31

I am pretty sure you'd have to crack it open and replace some of the internals. Probably not killer expensive and not as difficult as a swap or retrofit.

HammerheadFistpunch > For Sweden
10/12/2014 at 22:33

same notes "• Intended for pre-1976 street vehicles or any off-road vehicle"

I think it has something to do with the idea of replacing a non-oem engine with a paired chassis. though I think they are easier to get emissions certificates for. I know people CAN do CARB legal swaps (slee off road in Colorado offers emissions compliant 4.7 Toyota V8 swaps on 80 series cruisers) but they are exemptions you have to apply for. I think GM is just cover their bases legally here.

HammerheadFistpunch > crowmolly
10/12/2014 at 22:37

true, hardened shafts and uprated brakes and clutches with a new valve body would do the trick. The gears themselves can handle it, its the clutches, brakes and shaft that would go first.

crowmolly > HammerheadFistpunch
10/12/2014 at 22:40

Now you have me thinking about the rear end too. I don't know what type of diff that type of burb would have come with, and if the axle can take the pain. If it's still a gov-lock or something like that you are looking at a new rear setup.

HammerheadFistpunch > crowmolly
10/12/2014 at 22:42

The GM 10 bolt is not exactly....strong. but its probably strong enough if you are just doing street stuff and no heavy off roading or track work just make sure you take out the g80 auto locker if equipped, that thing would pop in a heartbeat. You could easily swap in a 12 bolt from the 2500 trucks which are super tough, or upgrade the diff and shafts.

crowmolly > HammerheadFistpunch
10/12/2014 at 22:46

Yup, just what I was thinking. Does add more $$ onto an already $$$$$ swap.

HammerheadFistpunch > crowmolly
10/12/2014 at 22:47

whats another $1000 in a $35,000 job?

For Sweden > HammerheadFistpunch
10/12/2014 at 23:04

All of a sudden Sweden seems positively libertarian