The Willomet Charger

[folkenheath]

I wouldn't recommend LS3 heads on an LS7 bore, you don't get the larger valves which is the whole benefit of the LS7 head over the LS3 head, you can't put an LS7 head on a LS3 or L92 bore, or the valve would hit. You could certainly fit it the other way but for an upper RPM engine I would rather have the bigger head.

These things can be checked before the engine is ever ran.

You don't leave it to "might be fine", you check it first.

 

[Babaganoosh]

I wouldn't recommend LS3 heads on an LS7 bore, you don't get the larger valves which is the whole benefit of the LS7 head over the LS3 head, you can't put an LS7 head on a LS3 or L92 bore, or the valve would hit. You could certainly fit it the other way but for an upper RPM engine I would rather have the bigger head.

These things can be checked before the engine is ever ran.

I'm sure between you and David you have everything under control and a plan.

 

[miniwally]

I can tell you LSX 454 crate engines have an issue with breaking valve springs and dropping valves. The idea it's related to higher RPM usage etc. is fine, however the way I know this is from an engine used in racing applications with less than 1,000 total miles since install. Maybe there were years that the heads were issues, but the new engine we installed at KOH was manufactured in 2023 I believe, it came from Summit. My take is that LS7 heads in general are a ticking time bomb.

From what I have learned, valve guides, valve springs, and sometimes the valves themselves all can have an issue. I also have heard several people that should be reliable sources claim the Cam profile isn't that great in the LSX454 and there are gains to be made from a good valvetrain and Cam once over.

There are people that have forgotton more than I know about this subject, I'm just sharing what I know from a tramatic life experience

 

[shady]

The lsx454-ls7 heads are a complete new separate unit from actual ls7 heads. At least now they are.. don't know about back then.
Built different everywhere now. Whole different casting.
They did at some point change the advertised redline of the engine from 7100 to 68-69 hundred. Not sure it that's why..?

I never found a single instance when I did my worrying research about em.

 

[folkenheath]

If someone wants to read about it here is what started it all with the LS7.

https://katechengines.com/pdf/183889

If you ask me, you combine .600 lift or more with a non roller tip rocker, and especially if you have misaligned guides, and it is going to wear faster. It's why I don't recommend high lift with stock rockers.

Now if the guides aren't centered you would see it if you lap the valves in and check clearances and spring installed height, etc.

I can tell you LSX 454 crate engines have an issue with breaking valve springs and dropping valves. The idea it's related to higher RPM usage etc. is fine, however the way I know this is from an engine used in racing applications with less than 1,000 total miles since install. Maybe there were years that the heads were issues, but the new engine we installed at KOH was manufactured in 2023 I believe, it came from Summit. My take is that LS7 heads in general are a ticking time bomb.

From what I have learned, valve guides, valve springs, and sometimes the valves themselves all can have an issue. I also have heard several people that should be reliable sources claim the Cam profile isn't that great in the LSX454 and there are gains to be made from a good valvetrain and Cam once over.

There are people that have forgotton more than I know about this subject, I'm just sharing what I know from a tramatic life experience

Yeah dropping a valve is not something to forget, its pretty bad! In racing, sh!t happens.

Not all LS7 stuff this happens, it's not a magic engine, same technology has been in use for many decades.

All the people running around with good engines aren't saying anything.

Something happens in less than 1000 miles like that, there was definitely a defect that didn't get caught.

Were you able to get that fixed under warranty or the time was up?

The lsx454-ls7 heads are a complete new separate unit from actual ls7 heads. At least now they are.. don't know about back then.
Built different everywhere now. Whole different casting.
They did at some point change the advertised redline of the engine from 7100 to 68-69 hundred. Not sure it that's why..?

I never found a single instance when I did my worrying research about em.

LSX heads are 6 bolt castings, definitely different. They also have different valves than actual LS7 titanium valves.

 

[shady]

Still titanium though

 

[folkenheath]

Actually I forgot about that, I was thinking not titanium but thats the connecting rods, the valves may be the same titanium intake valves.

 

[AgDieseler]

Shop, organized. Brain, clean. Car, ready.



Steering is first up. Knowing it would be a while before I could get back to work on the car, I left the new steering rack mount ready to test fit. Knowing exactly where to pick up is handy for getting my brain back into the build.

Also, I appreciated all the LS7 discussion. Heath and I approached this engine as the best value OE short block. Top end refinement would come at the same time as the cam, lifters, pushrods, rockers, springs, and so on.

David

 

[AgDieseler]

Working on the steering. The rack needs to point up toward the firewall.





Cramming a lot into a little.



Rack is more in line with the arms and flatter, so more steering angle and more room to adjust out bump steer.



David

 

[AgDieseler]

Finished Rev1. It’s enough to get the steering shaft roughed in. Rev2 will move the rack 3/8 to the passenger and 3/8 up.

The new Dynasty 300 is a peach.









I’ve got a Summit run in my future for more steering shaftage.

David

 

[AgDieseler]

36 spline shaftage, roughed in.







David

 

[76zimmer]

Nice fabbing David…you guys that have that gift are blessed!
How solid is your column mount?
Would another support bearing be needed close to the firewall?
Great work David!

 

[AgDieseler]

Would another support bearing be needed close to the firewall?

Absolutely. I’m not sure if the heim goes in the upper mid-shaft or the lower, but it definitely needs that support.

David

 

[Wes Harden]

Was thinking pillar bearing near the middle joint, column side

 

[Cucv_M1008]

Chris Birdsong needs to see this.

 

[AgDieseler]

Chris Birdsong needs to see this.

He’s aware. I visited his shop while I was in Vegas for SEMA some years ago. He texts me “you need to work on the charger” somewhat regularly, but more so after finishing the suburban.

Designed the next rack mount with captive nut spacer. 3D test print, then CNC, then Rev2.

View attachment Recording 2026-05-12 121224.mov

David

 

[AgDieseler]

PLA test print before CNC.



David

 

[AgDieseler]

Drew end links and collector locators. End links are in print.





David

 

[AgDieseler]

Column location roughed in with a PLA cheeseboard.





Got this tubing miter for the swag table.



2” CLR test fit.



It’s going to be tight.



Getting ready to dive in headlong on headers.

David

 

[Babaganoosh]

Can’t wait to see the headers, been saying it for awhile!