Crate ls7

[EZ Nova]

Originally Posted by DWR

I have one with very few miles the that spun a main also.

Seems like that was a common issue with these crate Ls7's. I know of a local guy who bought one years ago for his '71 Firebird Formula. Same thing. First summer, spun a main. 2nd guy bought 2 crate Ls7's. First went in his '73 454 Vette. It had issues as well. Second one when into his racecar Chevette. This time he had it inspected. Sure enough, it was not correct and was fixed before first start up.

So of the 3 that I personally know of, all 3 were screwy right from GM.

[x33rs]

Friend of mine went through 3 GM crate LS6's in the 80's before he got one that lasted. The first 2 ate lobes off the camshaft within 200 miles. They warrantied them. 3rd time was a charm.
He later bought a crate LS7 from another friend of mine that bought it new and just left it in the crate. This was about 10 years after the fact and all the horror stories were already circulating. He decided to tear that one open and found loose rod bolts that weren't torqued to spec. That engine would have lived a very short life if run as it was. He checked over the entire engine and buttoned it up. It ran fine for years after.