LS1 ,2 .4 7. LSX QUESTIONS

[SURESHOT]

I RECENTLY PICKED UP A 67 NOVA THAT I WANT TO PUT AN LS MOTOR IN I AM TRUELY UNAWARE OR A EXTREME NOVICE TO THE LS SERIES MOTORS I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS THAT I WAS HOPPING SOME OF YOU LS GURU'S CAN STEER ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION I THANK YOU IN ADVANCE !
1. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN ALL THE LS SERIES MOTORS ? (IE LS1,LS2,LS3,LS7,LSX ECT?)
2. WHERE DO I START LOOKING FOR A DONER AND WHAT DONERS SHOULD I BE LOOKING FOR TRUCKS OR A CAR ?
3.4L60 /80 ?
4. WHAT TYPE OF POWER DO THEY PRODUCE AND HOW EASY IS IT TO SWAP CAMS ECT ....?
THANKS IN ADVANCE GUYS

 

[388bu]

Off the top of my head:

LS1,LS6, Truck motors up to 2006? = GEN III and 24 tooth reluctor wheel.

LS2,LS3,LS7, truck motors past 2006 6.2, etc = GEN 4 and 58 tooth wheel.

LS4 = FWD GP, etc motor. Stay way from it. I cant remember what exactly but I think there are significant differences with this motor from all other LSX's.

4l80 eats more HP than a 60, but is of course more bulletproof. Depends on HP level which trans you should choose. Id say T56 personally.

Id look for an LQ4 out of a 2000 and up 3/4 ton pickup, van, etc. Best bang for the buck imo. You'll pay a couple hundred'ish more for the LQ9 and its not worth it imo.

LQ4 = 325 HP
LQ9 = 345 HP

Cam swaps are pretty damn easy really. Basically all the gaskets on these motors are dry and you dont even have to remove the lifters to do a cam swap.

 

[SkidmarkSS]

I have seen stock 320 HP.LS1 MOTORS ON LS1 TECH GOING FOR $1000.00 OR SO WITH WIRING HARNESSES AND EVERYTHING.I own 3 ls1 powered cars myself and cam swaps are done by inserting steel 3/8 dowels to hold the lifters in place without even removing the heads.LS1 stuff is where its at!!

 

[79loserbluebu]

Pretty much what has been said here already. There is no difference in stroke between the 5.3, 5.7, and 6.0. I read in the Hot Rod mag I received today that you can bore a 5.3 up to 5.7 without any problems with wall thickness. Like 388bu said, the LQ4 is a better choice dollar for dollar than an LQ9.

Off the top of my head:
LS1: 98-02 Camaro/Firebird, 97-04 Vette', 04' GTO
LS2: 05+ GTO, Trailblazer SS, earlier C6, earlier CTS-V
LS3: Later C6, 10 Camaro
LS4: Impala SS, Monte Carlo SS, GP (stay away as they are FWD, as well as they like to blow head gaskets for some reason
LS6: C5 Z06, Earliest CTS-V
LS7: C6 Z06
LS9: ZR1
LSA: New CTS-V
LQ4: G-vans, 3/4 C/K's
LQ9: Early Escalades/Denalis, Vortec MAX Silverado/Sierra, Silverado SS

Tons of aftermarket support for these engines. I beleive they changed the reluctor tooth count in 06'. Also some have DoD (Displacement on Demand), but no fear, the only difference between DoD and non is the sets of lifters compatible to the DoD cylinders. They are electronically controlled and sort of collapse, I guess you could say, when the PCM commands them to, to cut off air entering the cylinders.

 

[Doober]

LSx is mostly a general designator for the LS motors, but the LSX block is a GMPP part, purchased bare & you fill it with your parts, capable of up to 4.25" bore and 4.5" stroke (510ci). If I had the beans for it I'd go straight to an LSX and put it together myself to save some $. I believe they do take some special parts compared to a production LS motor, but they handle a lot more power. That shouldn't be much of a problem though because I think I read somewhere the 6.0 is capable of 1000+hp when everything is done/prepped properly.
http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/EngineShowcase/index.jsp?engId=LSX&engine=LSX&sku=19166454&engCat=ls

Stock LQ4 with headers/carbed intake makes 425hp:
http://www.carcraft.com/projectbuild/116_0704_lq4_short_block/index.html

 

[brrymnvette]

http://Www.ls1tech.com


Best resource for you. once you learn the LS motor you'll wonder what took you so long and why anybody would even mess with a gen1 or 2 SBC.

 

[Doober]

once you learn the LS motor you'll wonder what took you so long and why anybody would even mess with a gen1 or 2 SBC.

I've never wondered... I know why (at least for me :lol, it's cost 8) If that wasn't the case though I'd already have one in the 'Bu \/

 

[brrymnvette]

once you learn the LS motor you'll wonder what took you so long and why anybody would even mess with a gen1 or 2 SBC.

I've never wondered... I know why (at least for me :lol, it's cost 8) If that wasn't the case though I'd already have one in the 'Bu \/

I've bought a cam'd (MS3) with 243 heads LS1 shortblock for $250 with a stripped head bolt

I've bought an iron 6.0 block for $150

My current one going in the bu is a 5.3 I bought complete minus wiring harness and PCM for $400. Bought harness and PCM for $135. So, $535 for a COMPLETE motor.

Deals are out there, just have to search craigslist and performancetrucks.net for the truck stuff. Why pay for LS1 prices when the truck stuff is just the same.

 

[Doober]

Lucky dog party_guitar.gif I haven't seen any of those deals yet... checked car-part.com in my area for LS and SBC Vortec motors, they're priced almost the same curse_sign.gif It was just for an idea of pricing though, if it ever comes down to it I'll be checking Craigslist too.

 

[SURESHOT]

THANKS FOR ALL THE HELP GUYS