Value of a factory 454 LS-6 crate engine?

[427dart]

Long time friend of mine has a crate Chevy 454 LS-6 that he bought at the local dealer back in early 1980's. It was never used and has sat for years and the only thing he did to it was a swap to hydraulic cam. He still has the original factory solid cam it came with. The engine was never fired up or installed. He was going to put it in a 55 Chevy he had at the time. What would the sale price be you think in todays market?

[rp930]

Long time friend of mine has a crate Chevy 454 LS-6 that he bought at the local dealer back in early 1980's. It was never used and has sat for years and the only thing he did to it was a swap to hydraulic cam. He still has the original factory solid cam it came with. The engine was never fired up or installed. He was going to put it in a 55 Chevy he had at the time. What would the sale price be you think in todays market?

6k is my guess probably much more in todays market.

[vortecpro]

Long time friend of mine has a crate Chevy 454 LS-6 that he bought at the local dealer back in early 1980's. It was never used and has sat for years and the only thing he did to it was a swap to hydraulic cam. He still has the original factory solid cam it came with. The engine was never fired up or installed. He was going to put it in a 55 Chevy he had at the time. What would the sale price be you think in todays market?
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Is it the oil cooler block or non oil cooler later 445 casting. I collect those feel free to call me interested 719 650-1609

[swampbuggy]

It will be the same as with just about any other automotive equipment, what ever somebody is willing to pay for it. Intake ? water pump ? Dist. ? Flywheel ? other parts ? Mark H.

[bigcam406]

The LS6 came complete intake to oil pan. Should fetch a good amount. Numerous friends bought them back in the 80's and with a few mods, they were great pump gas performers.

[PackardV8]

The LS6 came complete intake to oil pan. Should fetch a good amount. Numerous friends bought them back in the 80's and with a few mods, they were great pump gas performers.

Agree, hard to beat in 1980.

Problem with paying big bucks for 1980s technology is literally every part, pistons, rings, heads, intake, cam, has improved dramatically in the past forty years.

Would our BBC experts give us a WAG as to how much more power today's parts would make? And at what price would you guarantee to make more power than an LS6?

And then it's still only a 454". Plenty big enough to do the job in a street car, but bragging rights today require more than 500" to ante and more than 600" to go all in.

Bottom line - for someone restoring a '70s-'80s Chevy, having a genuine LS6 would add some value to some folks. Having more power would add value to some others.

[bigcam406]

The way I'm looking at is it already has the reputation for being a proven performer regardless of age. A few simple mods and its a great pump gas engine.

[bobmc]

obviously the cylinder walls rust, do the stock valves rust?

[Chris_Hamilton]

Long time friend of mine has a crate Chevy 454 LS-6 that he bought at the local dealer back in early 1980's. It was never used and has sat for years and the only thing he did to it was a swap to hydraulic cam. He still has the original factory solid cam it came with. The engine was never fired up or installed. He was going to put it in a 55 Chevy he had at the time. What would the sale price be you think in todays market?

If you listed it on Bring A Trailer with all the Documentation and lots of pics, it would bring a premium. More than anywhere else IMO.

[RAS]

The last ones built were the lower compression LS6. 1971 versions. A restoration build, $8000.

[rgalajda]

The LS6 came complete intake to oil pan. Should fetch a good amount. Numerous friends bought them back in the 80's and with a few mods, they were great pump gas performers.

Agree, hard to beat in 1980.

Problem with paying big bucks for 1980s technology is literally every part, pistons, rings, heads, intake, cam, has improved dramatically in the past forty years.

Would our BBC experts give us a WAG as to how much more power today's parts would make? And at what price would you guarantee to make more power than an LS6?

And then it's still only a 454". Plenty big enough to do the job in a street car, but bragging rights today require more than 500" to ante and more than 600" to go all in.

Bottom line - for someone restoring a '70s-'80s Chevy, having a genuine LS6 would add some value to some folks. Having more power would add value to some others.

These motors are a part of our history. I restored a carb for a Model A this week . Maybe should have thrown that out

[BCjohnny]

It will be the same as with just about any other automotive equipment, what ever somebody is willing to pay for it

Price of collectable stuff is just going crazy

Sold a K code 289 intake recently for five times what was paid seven years ago

The object of buying wasn't to flip it, but when returns are at this level, it just had to go .......

[jake197000]

i bought one of those in the 80"s along with a set of gm aluminum heads.still have it.

[gnicholson]

i bought a crate ls6 in 83 for 2100 bucks. borrowed the money from my dad. had to have 4bolt mains steel crank big port headsand 7/16 rod bolts. should have built the 73 truck 454 i had