Irunelevens

The LSx engines aren't themselves really all that fuel-efficient... it's the low transmission gearing that makes them so. A .5:1 6th gear (double overdrive) makes a world of an impact. Great engines, but it's the whole drivetrain that makes them so fuel efficient, not the engine itself.

KW4life06

iTrader: (12)

I understand that, I used to have a 99 silverado with a 5.3L and 4:10s. Wasn't exactly a green vehicle. Still when I kept the throttle under control it did pretty well.

I'm really wondering what makes the new hemi's better as an engine overall than any current ls based engine. Also wish they had a separate list without a price cap on it, I'd like to see their opinions on the ls9, along with bugattis w16. Those freaks at bugatti are picasso's of engine design.

LS1LT1

iTrader: (16)

Good point and basically true, but even in vehicles (F-bodies, GTOs, earlier trucks) equipped with only four gears (and only one overdrive) the fuel efficiency of the LSx family of engines was/is still pretty damn good.
I got over 26+mpg in my automatic Z28 (and that's with 3.23 gears, not the even more fuel efficient 2.73s) on a long trip to St. Louis and back at times averaging up to 75-80mph.
But yes, the 6 speed manuals and, more recently, the 6 speed automatics play a role in the awesome fuel economy numbers delivered by the LSx.

LS1LT1

iTrader: (16)

I agree with you, if the Hemi makes it onto the list than so should the LS3.
And if you look closely at the design of the current Chrysler Hemis you will see many similarities between it and the LSx series of motors, they borrowed a lot from the original LS1 design.

CrabhartLS1

The LNF should be on that list for like 5 straight years.

Irunelevens

The problem with the LS7 and LS9 (in terms of this list) is that they themselves don't really break any ground... they're just additions to the LS1. The LS7 isn't really anymore efficient than the LS1 in terms of power/size, so why would they put them on the list for just making it bigger? And the GT500 Super Snake has more of a chance to make it than the LS9. But in reality, neither will make it.

KW4life06

iTrader: (12)

That I highly disagree with. LS9 has many new features no ls engine has seen before aside from race cars, such as oil squirters. Super Snake is just a bigger engine with a bigger blower and a raised price tag. The thing about the ls9 is the fact it has a compact new cooling unit, low blower profile, as well of the fact that it is supposed to be very tame and more streetable to drive than an ls7.

Not saying the Super Snakes engine isn't good, but what makes it superior in design to previous modulars?

Irunelevens

Oil squirters are nothing revolutionary... Integra GS-Rs had them back in 1994. And the blower is an Eaton unit, not Chevrolet. The 5.4 in the Super Snake has internals that have been proven to handle well over 1,000rwhp, and doesn't require any head/cam changes to do so, which is quite impressive. But both engines are just adaptations to existing motors, using some basically aftermarket parts. Which is why neither are gonna make the list.

AronZ28

iTrader: (2)

They've really picked some winners from years past


2003 Ford Powerstroke- total pos motor
2004 Mazda wankel rotory- recalled due to them blowing up/using oil
2000 Jag AJ V8-Nikasil cylinder liners caused motors to blow up
1997 Caddy Northstar- blows headgaskets

JD_AMG

Because its a 440lbs engine(dressed) that makes 505 restricted hp and 470 restricted ft.lbs of torque, and is no bigger than the LS1 (and smaller still than even many V6's on the market).
The problem with the "Ward's best engines" is they select their engines based on irrelevant numbers on paper (like hp/l) instead of real world figures that are actually meaningful (like weight and physical size). I don't think its at all a coincidence that we see so many supercars and kit cars that are using LSx based engines opposed to some more exotic engines out there. Why do you think that is?

Jakes Dad

Wards isn't too different from any other magazine. I don't know why anyone gets their shorts in bind over any friggen magazine list. When I sold Nissans I used the fact about their V6. The Mazda Rotary also made Wards list.

Now that I have this information I see it as an excuse to drink another beer tonight, thanks!!

Jakes Dad

Irunelevens

And you make it sound like I didn't just defend the LSx motors. They are great engines, and have already been honored in '98 and '99 I believe. But honestly the LS9 is an LS3... with a blower. Just like the LS7 is, for all intents and purposes, a bored/stroked LS2. Again, very good motors, just don't fit the criteria. Like the sub-$54,000 entry fee. Not many people are gonna see the benefit of a $70k+ car.

KW4life06

iTrader: (12)

I will end here. In regard to the fact you seem to respect the lsx platform, as I the modular, and both with opinions that don't change the topic at hand.

texas94z

LOL at the LT1 bashing..... Some people cant take a joke.....

On paper the Northstar is a great engine, just like 09 gtr. It sounds good but doesn't perform and the quality is poor, ex oil and cooling systems. Yes the sc Northstar is more powerful than the 03/04 mod motors, but the Northstar isnt competing with that motor. However, the dohc Northstar is blown away by the competition as i stated before. Cadillac is slowing becoming the standard of the world again. The Northstar was the standard back in 93. Its a 16 year old engine design, even the ls series engines are not that dated. The Northstar engine has no future replacement for a reason.

Here are some quick facts on premium dohc v8s:

2007– Cadillac 4.6 Northstar dohc v8 320 hp @ 6400 RPM

2007- Lexus 4.6 1UR-FSE dohc V8 380 hp @ 6,400 RPM

2007- Mercedes-Benz 5.5 dohc v8 382 @ 6,000 RPM

GMmexican

iTrader: (7)

They are not all the same, you have to be dumb to say that LS7-7.0L displacement (427 cubic inches) makes it the largest LS engine offered in a production car. Unlike LS1/LS6, LS2 and LS3 engines, the LS7 uses a Siamese-bore cylinder block design - required for its big, 4.125-inch bores. Competition-proven heads and lightweight components, such as titanium rods and intake valves. The L99 version is equipped with GM's fuel-saving Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation system . LS9 is the boost version that uses the strengthened similar 6.2L LS3 block but with a stronger rotating assembly, roto-cast cylinder heads and a sixth-generation 2.3L Roots-type supercharger and lower compression.

It's alot more complex than just slapping on a super charger on an LS3 and calling it a day.

KW4life06

iTrader: (12)

Haha trust me I'm not getting emotional over the northstar of all engines... Can't get over the quality issues of the northstar thats the truth.

I personally liked the lt1 comment

Irunelevens

Titanium rods are NOTHING new... used first on the NSX I believe back in 1991. So again, nothing revolutionary. They are both fantastic motors, but don't meet the criteria for the competition. You have no reason to defend the motors to me.

LS1LT1

iTrader: (16)

Yes, that's now maybe....but now go back and look at that list WAY BACK when the Northstar first came out in 1992.
None of those other brands were even close to 300hp.

In an ironic turn of events, Cadillac and that Northstar are actually what helped push Toyota, Mercedes and BMW to improve their numbers.

Irunelevens

Yep, hence why worldwide competition helps the industry as a whole. If there was no competition, there would be no reason to improve anything.

GMmexican

iTrader: (7)

The motors listed offer no revolutinary break throughts, and the NSX is legendary for being the most under powered car ever,pound for pound the best motor value on earth is the Lsx IMO, I dont care about OHC super intelligent variable valve set-ups.......

pushrod motors =
are proven 56 year history
easy to maintain
lighter
versitle(marine,towing,flex fuel,hybrid,racing,daily driver, over 25mpg)reliable and they work

I would easily take an Lsx over these motors any day when you compare the massive aftermarket support its not even close

*Audi AG: 2.0L TFSI turbocharged DOHC I-4 (A4 Avant)
* BMW AG: 3.0L turbocharged DOHC I-6 (135i Coupe)
* BMW AG: 3.0L DOHC I-6 Turbodiesel (335d)
* Chrysler LLC: 5.7L Hemi OHV V-8 (Dodge Ram/Challenger R/T)

But im talking to a ford guy that has not driven or owned any of those motors..and wouldnt know anything about long term performance,reliability or cost of owner ship and maintenence

I have owned and driven on a daily basis- sbc,sbf,Gen I tpi,Gen II LT-1,ford 32 valve v-8 cobra,5.7 liter HEMI,Gen III ls-1,GEN IV LS2/LS3,BMW I4,Chrysler DOHC V-6,DSM gen I