LS1 Block Material
I do still appreciate the info, everyone is here to share info. I don't think there is really any need for insults.
FWIW, I go to Texas A&M. Say what you want, but its a great school with a great reputation in the engineering fields.
I need to ask Bob Lutz for a job when I'm done with my degree.
On the other hand when I go to any search engine and put in ls1 block alloy I get articles ont he release of the ls1 engine which cover the material properties. So, in that case I would say using a search engine (if not done so before hand) would have been in order.
But, I do not see the need to chastise someone for the pursuit of knowledge. After all that is why many of us are here. So, my advice would be to tone down the harsh rebuke for what I would consider a reasonable question.
BTW, I wholehearted agree that A&M has a fine engineering program...
I think UMR is the devil now. I love how they passed tech (05') and the following night put tall (1") carbon gurney flaps on the wings that violated the 1/8" trailing radius rule. Still doesn't help the fact that our A driver dropped the ball on autocross and a sensor broke on my engine leaking oil on the undertray (NOT ON THE GROUND) in endurance.
Drew - UTA FSAE Engine lead
06/04' - 06/06'
harlan - engine controller guy, traction control guy, frame welder, enduro and auto-x driver 98 and 99.
I've got red hair in the 98 panoramic picture and i'm sitting in the car for 99 (bald then)

and yeah, the 250cc engine was painful, absolutely horrible sound.
now back on topic
I have been around the FSAE Team all 4 years here. All my buddies are doing it. But officially, it's a senior design project for the last 2 semesters. I didn't have time to work on it because of my job. Those guys are a dedicated group of people and they spend many many hours outside of school on that car. Its definitely something I wish I could have done.

So your Prof. suggested you go online and accept anything that sounded reasonable for material with no documentation? I think not if you are attending a "real" school. If you were in my class and said you sourced the data from a "post on LS1Tech with no supporting documentaton", you'd not get passing grade. But I'm a hard ***.
FWIW, various sources list the block material for some LS engines as 319-T5 and also 319-T7. Hmmm. Which is it and what does the T5 or T7 mean? Why do you think GM uses 356-T6 for the C5R, etc. race blocks and not 319-T5 or -T7? Ask your Prof. if you can't find/figure it out.
Here is an interesting presentation. It pretty much spoon feeds some very interesting information.
http://www.sfsa.org/tutorials/eng_block/default.htm
BTW, You two guys probably shouldn't ask Bob Lutz for a job after you graduate.
Jon
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
I have been around the FSAE Team all 4 years here. All my buddies are doing it. But officially, it's a senior design project for the last 2 semesters. I didn't have time to work on it because of my job. Those guys are a dedicated group of people and they spend many many hours outside of school on that car. Its definitely something I wish I could have done.
Anyway, this post reminded me that I question some of the young Engineers in a similar fashion at times. Never stop asking questions unless you’re getting assailed by Secret Service Agents.
Last edited by TT632; Feb 27, 2008 at 03:15 PM.
- courteous without being condescending
- seeking knowledge without asking to be spoon-fed
- willing to share knowledge with others
Steve
Jon, you are a great help to this site and others, but if you do not like someone's question or if it is to easy I would just not answer if I were you. There is no need to criticize. It is better to walk away, than walk into it...
I find this sub-forum of ls1tech the most informative on this site, as well as it should be, so it would be fitting to ask questions in here that you want to get as factual as possible.
Thanks...
Edit: I started posting this before Steve posted. Sorry...
As for the alloy talk...I did a lot of work with GM's castings in school for metallurgy research, but I'm not allowed to talk about them. I can say that they put a LOT of research into the production alloys to save money and have a good product (for their intended use).
Matweb is a pretty good resource to look up properties on the alloys mentioned in this thread.
I am harsh at times when I am passionate about something. Usually I try to be subtle, but painting with a narrow brush doesn't always get the message noticed.
My skin is fairly thick, and I have been called worst names than in this thread, even by those close to me. I guess (no, I know) there may be ulterior motives behind vitrolic posts. So be it.
At least I elicited responses from a couple (make that two) SR's who have never previously responded to my posts...at least not in the current identity. As they say in Hollywood, any publicity is good publicity.
Remember folks, you are always auditioning for a job, for potential customers, or as a customer. You never know who hears or reads you. It is interesting to read a collection of someone's posts from their profile. It helps determine if you would like them as a supplier, a customer, an employee or a source of information.
Steve's advice was good. I'll take it.
Jon
I am harsh at times when I am passionate about something. Usually I try to be subtle, but painting with a narrow brush doesn't always get the message noticed.
My skin is fairly thick, and I have been called worst names than in this thread, even by those close to me. I guess (no, I know) there may be ulterior motives behind vitrolic posts. So be it.
At least I elicited responses from a couple (make that two) SR's who have never previously responded to my posts...at least not in the current identity. As they say in Hollywood, any publicity is good publicity.
Remember folks, you are always auditioning for a job, for potential customers, or as a customer. You never know who hears or reads you. It is interesting to read a collection of someone's posts from their profile. It helps determine if you would like them as a supplier, a customer, an employee or a source of information.
Steve's advice was good. I'll take it.
Jon











