Good Ls engines ?

[HWKmalibu]

Hello,

I have been tossing around the idea about swapping to an LS motor and have some questions. I would be looking to run in the 11's NA with it.

-are there certain LS's to stay away from, what years are best ?

-pros cons in using my TH350 ?

-any benefits to getting one of out a certain vehicle ?


Thanks

 

[388bu]

Best bang for your buck would be a good 'ol LQ4 6.0 or LQ9. I would get a 2000 or newer. The older ones had iron heads and a different crank that could cause issues down the road I believe. Someone else can maybe clarify on that.

The TH350 would be just fine. Just need the right flexplate...forget who makes it though.

Just my $.02

 

[SkidmarkSS]

TH350 works fine you just need the Flex Adapter plate,the 98 LS1 motors had oil passage issues causing bad oil pressure but other than that making 11 sec.Et's is simple on an LS1,The SS in the sig ran 11:90 solid and was my daily driver with a cam,LS6 intake and small bolt-ons.Any 98-FBody LS1 motor can be purchased for 1200-1400 bucks with wiring harnesses and all,I have a 2002 LS1 382in.big bore motor(4.100)with L92 heads that will hit 500hp on the dyno.

 

[blubaldmontess]

I run the LQ9 motor, very stout, good power, and a cam swap and headers can go a long way. I would see if you could get the 4l80e transmission with it, as its pretty much as bulletproof as the 400s and the th350s...kinda heavy but always gives you that extra gear. My car has the 4l80e and the lq9, first gear with 4.11s still hit 58 mph at 5900 rpms...strong motor

 

[genericname]

as stated the 6.0 lq4's are good to start with, can be found relatively cheap and easy and seem to respond well to basic mods, the only complaint i have about them is that every one ive came accross that have blown up have been from broken or bent connecting rods, im not sure if thats the weak link in these motors but it sure seems like alot of them have gone down that way, maybe a defective design or something, but who knows, seems like they either run forever or blow a rod..

also th350's are good transmission's but youll be lacking overdrive in which case you could run a 700r4, or if going with fuel injection its just as easy to get a newer computer controlled 4l80e or 4l60e should even hold up to 11 sec passes with an inexpensive shift kit for safe measure.

 

[83LSWagon]

Stay away from 97s and 98s. The coolant passages caused overheating issues.

 

[79loserbluebu]

Don't be shy when you find a DoD (displacement on demand) engine with the cylinder shutdown feature. They use special lifters to control the affected cylinders. Replace them with LS7 or some other choice and your good.

 

[Doober]

Just spotted this month's Hot Rod tonight. I didn't read too much into it, but there's an article explaining some of the RPO codes, etc. and what would be good. Granted it's a magazine and it's probably to advertise somebody's product, there's still some decent info 8)