GM announced some new performance goodies at the SEMA show, including some new Chevy crate motors. One of them is an LS3-based motor designated as DR525.

It's a 6.2 liter complete engine making 525 HP and 489 ft/lb torque. It shows a list price of $9750; I see one version of it for sale at Jeg's for $8434. The engine appears very complete except for the ECU. That adds $1300 to the tally; don't know why the ECU is so expensive.

While this is a lot of money for a workin' man like me, in reality that's a pretty good value in terms of HP per dollar with OEM quality. Chevrolet's Performance Catalog Now Offers LT1 Crate Motor

I figure if you're headed down to your Chevy dealer to pick up that new 7 speed manual anyway, might as well throw one of these on the order, too.

 

Not sure that bad boy would fit in a Miata without a good amount of work but not a bad price for dollar per horsepower.

 

what fitment issue do you see with the DR525? It's a cam difference from the reg LS3 and the 480 version. ...unless I'm missing something...

 

Hey, give Old Chuck a break, LOL. He's a small block Ford V8 Miata kinda' guy, like me. When we look at the very compact, 8.2" deck height Ford motor and then look at those big ol' Chevy lumps, it just looks like they shouldn't/couldn't/wouldn't fit. But you're right, they do, and this new crate motor would be no different.

Back around the year 2000 when I first started reading about V8 Miata conversions, I was a participant on the "forum before the forum before the forum," i.e., the V8 Miata forum started by a guy who went by BrianV8 and which eventually moved to become the Engine Conversions sub-forum over at Miata dot net. Back on that early forum, there were many long and sometimes friendly-heated threads about whether it could even be POSSIBLE to install an LSx motor in these cars. The consensus was "probably not," at least in any practical fashion. I remember the couple of guys who were brave enough to just grab the torch, welder, and start trying. God bless 'em!

Now, there are LSx cars running around all over the place. It is wonderful what the combined talents of a few enthusiasts/skilled fabricators with vision and desire can accomplish.

 

I though maybe he was referring to the new LT1. I'm curious the dimensional changes with that motor compared to the LS line.

 

Thanks Steve,
I am a small block Ford guy and with limited cutting and welding skills, have always thought the task of fitting a GM engine kinda daunting. I, also did get the engine confused with another which happens to an older mind not very familiar with Chevy engines. Given that the person has the skill to fit the engine into the Miata, the power would be intoxicating as the small block Ford can only go so far even with FI. Pushing the Chevy engine to its' full potential especially with FI would be an experience one would not forget.....

 

All of us have our brand loyalties, or at least preferences, but the reality is this: Engines are just air pumps. The air has no idea what logo is on the air cleaner or manifold cover. Most any popular engine built strong enough to rev to the needed level and fitted with compression, induction, and exhaust components that flow similarly will produce about the same power levels.

As V8's go, the Ford Windsor is king for compactness. It has a huge aftermarket with good selection and pricing that allows us to build to any power level a Miata owner could logically need. (I didn't say "want"). In this range of reality, displacement for displacement they can be made quite competitive with the Bow Tie Guys. Downside, the factory offerings, while very reliable, are torque pumps, not big HP makers. They run out of fun right about where the Chevy motor gets interesting.

The Chevy LSx series is a bit more portly, a concern when fitting in tight engine compartments. It's big upside is you can enjoy very healthy power levels without going to the aftermarket at all. Factory parts interchangeability allows you to start with a "less-popular" plebeian model and get big power increases with a few swaps. Old Z.A. Duntov started a tradition that's been well upheld by the new generation.

For a V8 Miata? Pick your poison. Either will put a grin on your face.

 

And it appears that the DI pump adds to the bulk somewhat, although the basic architecture appears to be similar enough that the Gen V motors should fit with just a little more sheetmetal massaging than the GenIII/IV. And it will be a little while before the aftermarket figures out the tuning.

For the moment, I'd be happy with an F-body LS1.

Mike

 

Worse sacrifices have been made than a "lowly" LS1 in a Miata!

 

Maybe you have seen this L3 conversion (in progress)