Ls motors vs Early gen SBC
08-18-2018, 07:18 PM
#61
TECH Senior Member
I would bet a single exhaust version of each would sound very similar since all 8 are in the mix..
08-20-2018, 11:32 AM
#62
Launching!
There really shouldnt be much to debate here. EFI LS engines are superior to old carbed smallblocks, period. If you decide to go LS, dont be intimidated by EFI, thats what really makes LS swaps worth it. You will spend more money to do a carb setup and get less driveability and less gas mileage. Why pay more for less? If you are adamant on using a carb, then keep the 400.
Theres more great things about LS engines that havent really been touched on yet on this post. It seems like the engineers that designed the LS engines knew what made SBC's a pain in the *** to work on.
For instance: Removing the intake is ridiculously simple with LS engines. You dont have to worry about dumping coolant everywhere because the intake is "dry." You can reuse the intake gaskets when you pop the intake, and the gaskets have a clip that makes them stick to the intake, instead of having to get silicone everywhere.
Cam swaps in LS engines. You dont even have to remove the lifters. The lifters will stick in place when you swap out the cam.
LS engines gaskets are superior, they wont leak like an old SBC.
LS engines run cleaner
You dont need to let LS engines warm up before driving. I jump in my chevelle, fire the engine up and go.
Troubleshooting LS engines is super simple. Plug in a scanner to the OBD2 port and it literally tells you whats wrong with your engine.
Ive had a SBC, a BBC, and now an LS. I drive the Chevelle now more than ever. For a daily driver, there is no question, go with LS. You wont be sorry.
Theres more great things about LS engines that havent really been touched on yet on this post. It seems like the engineers that designed the LS engines knew what made SBC's a pain in the *** to work on.
For instance: Removing the intake is ridiculously simple with LS engines. You dont have to worry about dumping coolant everywhere because the intake is "dry." You can reuse the intake gaskets when you pop the intake, and the gaskets have a clip that makes them stick to the intake, instead of having to get silicone everywhere.
Cam swaps in LS engines. You dont even have to remove the lifters. The lifters will stick in place when you swap out the cam.
LS engines gaskets are superior, they wont leak like an old SBC.
LS engines run cleaner
You dont need to let LS engines warm up before driving. I jump in my chevelle, fire the engine up and go.
Troubleshooting LS engines is super simple. Plug in a scanner to the OBD2 port and it literally tells you whats wrong with your engine.
Ive had a SBC, a BBC, and now an LS. I drive the Chevelle now more than ever. For a daily driver, there is no question, go with LS. You wont be sorry.
08-20-2018, 08:05 PM
#63
By the way, you shouldn't have let the first gens warm up before driving either. They heat up more quickly when driven gently. Gotta get them off the choke, putting a normal load on the motor helps with that.
Speaking of exhaust notes, the new mustangs have a super nice sound. Not sure if that is the base models or if I keep hearing the one with the flat plane crank.
08-03-2020, 07:25 PM
#64
08-03-2020, 07:26 PM
#65
There really shouldnt be much to debate here. EFI LS engines are superior to old carbed smallblocks, period. If you decide to go LS, dont be intimidated by EFI, thats what really makes LS swaps worth it. You will spend more money to do a carb setup and get less driveability and less gas mileage. Why pay more for less? If you are adamant on using a carb, then keep the 400.
Theres more great things about LS engines that havent really been touched on yet on this post. It seems like the engineers that designed the LS engines knew what made SBC's a pain in the *** to work on.
For instance: Removing the intake is ridiculously simple with LS engines. You dont have to worry about dumping coolant everywhere because the intake is "dry." You can reuse the intake gaskets when you pop the intake, and the gaskets have a clip that makes them stick to the intake, instead of having to get silicone everywhere.
Cam swaps in LS engines. You dont even have to remove the lifters. The lifters will stick in place when you swap out the cam.
LS engines gaskets are superior, they wont leak like an old SBC.
LS engines run cleaner
You dont need to let LS engines warm up before driving. I jump in my chevelle, fire the engine up and go.
Troubleshooting LS engines is super simple. Plug in a scanner to the OBD2 port and it literally tells you whats wrong with your engine.
Ive had a SBC, a BBC, and now an LS. I drive the Chevelle now more than ever. For a daily driver, there is no question, go with LS. You wont be sorry.
Theres more great things about LS engines that havent really been touched on yet on this post. It seems like the engineers that designed the LS engines knew what made SBC's a pain in the *** to work on.
For instance: Removing the intake is ridiculously simple with LS engines. You dont have to worry about dumping coolant everywhere because the intake is "dry." You can reuse the intake gaskets when you pop the intake, and the gaskets have a clip that makes them stick to the intake, instead of having to get silicone everywhere.
Cam swaps in LS engines. You dont even have to remove the lifters. The lifters will stick in place when you swap out the cam.
LS engines gaskets are superior, they wont leak like an old SBC.
LS engines run cleaner
You dont need to let LS engines warm up before driving. I jump in my chevelle, fire the engine up and go.
Troubleshooting LS engines is super simple. Plug in a scanner to the OBD2 port and it literally tells you whats wrong with your engine.
Ive had a SBC, a BBC, and now an LS. I drive the Chevelle now more than ever. For a daily driver, there is no question, go with LS. You wont be sorry.
The following users liked this post:
G Atsma (08-03-2020)
08-03-2020, 09:00 PM
#67
TECH Senior Member
08-03-2020, 10:03 PM
#69
08-03-2020, 11:03 PM
#70
TECH Senior Member
You're living in the past, man. I'm 68 and know better than to do that....
08-03-2020, 11:46 PM
#71
08-04-2020, 12:37 AM
#72
TECH Senior Member
If you're mentioning "spider injection" that already dates you. That was strictly a crude early EFI system used only on trucks on the last of the sbc truck engines.
Of course you would tune a carb to a tee, but they don't stay tuned as well as EFI by a long shot.
You're right, carbs don't break. They varnish and gum up because gasoline is exposed to air as soon as it's in the float bowl.
EFI does not gum up to nearly the same extent because fuel never sees air after leaving the tank until it's injected. Injectors rarely gum up.
Timing issues? NEVER happens with EFI/coil-on-plug ignition once tuned. Set and forget. Plugs last a lot longer too, because of a much better spark from 8 separate coils instead of all cylinders sharing one. Only one reason LS's run more economically and cleaner, which is only one reason GM went to it. Another reason is LS heads flow MUCH more than sbc heads due to better design like reduced valve angle and smoother and more efficient port design.
So you've been building engines for 35 years, 10 years in "late models" where only sbc's are raced because of how the rules are written. Give the LS as much race development time as the sbc and it will mop the floor with it. It's just a better engine.
Name the main reason you think the sbc is the better engine, besides you liking it better.
Of course you would tune a carb to a tee, but they don't stay tuned as well as EFI by a long shot.
You're right, carbs don't break. They varnish and gum up because gasoline is exposed to air as soon as it's in the float bowl.
EFI does not gum up to nearly the same extent because fuel never sees air after leaving the tank until it's injected. Injectors rarely gum up.
Timing issues? NEVER happens with EFI/coil-on-plug ignition once tuned. Set and forget. Plugs last a lot longer too, because of a much better spark from 8 separate coils instead of all cylinders sharing one. Only one reason LS's run more economically and cleaner, which is only one reason GM went to it. Another reason is LS heads flow MUCH more than sbc heads due to better design like reduced valve angle and smoother and more efficient port design.
So you've been building engines for 35 years, 10 years in "late models" where only sbc's are raced because of how the rules are written. Give the LS as much race development time as the sbc and it will mop the floor with it. It's just a better engine.
Name the main reason you think the sbc is the better engine, besides you liking it better.
08-04-2020, 01:29 AM
#73
If you're mentioning "spider injection" that already dates you. That was strictly a crude early EFI system used only on trucks on the last of the sbc truck engines.
Of course you would tune a carb to a tee, but they don't stay tuned as well as EFI by a long shot.
You're right, carbs don't break. They varnish and gum up because gasoline is exposed to air as soon as it's in the float bowl.
EFI does not gum up to nearly the same extent because fuel never sees air after leaving the tank until it's injected. Injectors rarely gum up.
Timing issues? NEVER happens with EFI/coil-on-plug ignition once tuned. Set and forget. Plugs last a lot longer too, because of a much better spark from 8 separate coils instead of all cylinders sharing one. Only one reason LS's run more economically and cleaner, which is only one reason GM went to it. Another reason is LS heads flow MUCH more than sbc heads due to better design like reduced valve angle and smoother and more efficient port design.
So you've been building engines for 35 years, 10 years in "late models" where only sbc's are raced because of how the rules are written. Give the LS as much race development time as the sbc and it will mop the floor with it. It's just a better engine.
Name the main reason you think the sbc is the better engine, besides you liking it better.
Of course you would tune a carb to a tee, but they don't stay tuned as well as EFI by a long shot.
You're right, carbs don't break. They varnish and gum up because gasoline is exposed to air as soon as it's in the float bowl.
EFI does not gum up to nearly the same extent because fuel never sees air after leaving the tank until it's injected. Injectors rarely gum up.
Timing issues? NEVER happens with EFI/coil-on-plug ignition once tuned. Set and forget. Plugs last a lot longer too, because of a much better spark from 8 separate coils instead of all cylinders sharing one. Only one reason LS's run more economically and cleaner, which is only one reason GM went to it. Another reason is LS heads flow MUCH more than sbc heads due to better design like reduced valve angle and smoother and more efficient port design.
So you've been building engines for 35 years, 10 years in "late models" where only sbc's are raced because of how the rules are written. Give the LS as much race development time as the sbc and it will mop the floor with it. It's just a better engine.
Name the main reason you think the sbc is the better engine, besides you liking it better.
08-04-2020, 10:30 AM
#74
TECH Senior Member
You keep mentioning the track. That is the one place carbs have any dominance for the reasons you state.
But on the street, EFI rules. Millions go 2-300k miles without touching anything in the fuel system but maybe changing out the fuel filter if/when needed.
The difference in sound might just be the firing order change, which if used in a small block, would actually let it last longer. Easier on the crank.
Admittedly the 5.3 is not a low end torque champ. But give it a length and it will keep it. They excel in horsepower more than low end torque. Plus they are more economical. My 04 Tahoe is older Gen III tech but still gets 21mpg on the highway, maybe not important to you but is to many of us. The sbc can't touch that.
Superior ignition. Superior fuel system. Superior cooling system. Better oil system.
I see your points from a limited (circle/dirt track) racing standpoint. But on the street, LS rules.
But on the street, EFI rules. Millions go 2-300k miles without touching anything in the fuel system but maybe changing out the fuel filter if/when needed.
The difference in sound might just be the firing order change, which if used in a small block, would actually let it last longer. Easier on the crank.
Admittedly the 5.3 is not a low end torque champ. But give it a length and it will keep it. They excel in horsepower more than low end torque. Plus they are more economical. My 04 Tahoe is older Gen III tech but still gets 21mpg on the highway, maybe not important to you but is to many of us. The sbc can't touch that.
Superior ignition. Superior fuel system. Superior cooling system. Better oil system.
I see your points from a limited (circle/dirt track) racing standpoint. But on the street, LS rules.
08-04-2020, 10:38 AM
#75
You keep mentioning the track. That is the one place carbs have any dominance for the reasons you state.
But on the street, EFI rules. Millions go 2-300k miles without touching anything in the fuel system but maybe changing out the fuel filter if/when needed.
The difference in sound might just be the firing order change, which if used in a small block, would actually let it last longer. Easier on the crank.
Admittedly the 5.3 is not a low end torque champ. But give it a length and it will keep it. They excel in horsepower more than low end torque. Plus they are more economical. My 04 Tahoe is older Gen III tech but still gets 21mpg on the highway, maybe not important to you but is to many of us. The sbc can't touch that.
Superior ignition. Superior fuel system. Superior cooling system. Better oil system.
I see your points from a limited (circle/dirt track) racing standpoint. But on the street, LS rules.
But on the street, EFI rules. Millions go 2-300k miles without touching anything in the fuel system but maybe changing out the fuel filter if/when needed.
The difference in sound might just be the firing order change, which if used in a small block, would actually let it last longer. Easier on the crank.
Admittedly the 5.3 is not a low end torque champ. But give it a length and it will keep it. They excel in horsepower more than low end torque. Plus they are more economical. My 04 Tahoe is older Gen III tech but still gets 21mpg on the highway, maybe not important to you but is to many of us. The sbc can't touch that.
Superior ignition. Superior fuel system. Superior cooling system. Better oil system.
I see your points from a limited (circle/dirt track) racing standpoint. But on the street, LS rules.
08-04-2020, 10:43 AM
#76
You keep mentioning the track. That is the one place carbs have any dominance for the reasons you state.
But on the street, EFI rules. Millions go 2-300k miles without touching anything in the fuel system but maybe changing out the fuel filter if/when needed.
The difference in sound might just be the firing order change, which if used in a small block, would actually let it last longer. Easier on the crank.
Admittedly the 5.3 is not a low end torque champ. But give it a length and it will keep it. They excel in horsepower more than low end torque. Plus they are more economical. My 04 Tahoe is older Gen III tech but still gets 21mpg on the highway, maybe not important to you but is to many of us. The sbc can't touch that.
Superior ignition. Superior fuel system. Superior cooling system. Better oil system.
I see your points from a limited (circle/dirt track) racing standpoint. But on the street, LS rules.
But on the street, EFI rules. Millions go 2-300k miles without touching anything in the fuel system but maybe changing out the fuel filter if/when needed.
The difference in sound might just be the firing order change, which if used in a small block, would actually let it last longer. Easier on the crank.
Admittedly the 5.3 is not a low end torque champ. But give it a length and it will keep it. They excel in horsepower more than low end torque. Plus they are more economical. My 04 Tahoe is older Gen III tech but still gets 21mpg on the highway, maybe not important to you but is to many of us. The sbc can't touch that.
Superior ignition. Superior fuel system. Superior cooling system. Better oil system.
I see your points from a limited (circle/dirt track) racing standpoint. But on the street, LS rules.
08-04-2020, 11:07 AM
#77
TECH Senior Member
I don't go shooting my mouth off about what a great racer I THINK I am. You obviously feel the need to do so.
And if you can't keep from badmouthing ( I haven't said one negative thing SO FAR) you might learn when to keep your stupid mouth shut.
You're in an LS forum. Your opinions are outnumbered here, besides being yesterday's news. Keep losing, dinosaur.
08-04-2020, 01:41 PM
#78
Fine, keep being a dinosaur. You obviously have no idea of what I have or haven't done, just pure guessing. You know nothing about me.
I don't go shooting my mouth off about what a great racer I THINK I am. You obviously feel the need to do so.
And if you can't keep from badmouthing ( I haven't said one negative thing SO FAR) you might learn when to keep your stupid mouth shut.
You're in an LS forum. Your opinions are outnumbered here, besides being yesterday's news. Keep losing, dinosaur.
I don't go shooting my mouth off about what a great racer I THINK I am. You obviously feel the need to do so.
And if you can't keep from badmouthing ( I haven't said one negative thing SO FAR) you might learn when to keep your stupid mouth shut.
You're in an LS forum. Your opinions are outnumbered here, besides being yesterday's news. Keep losing, dinosaur.
The following 2 users liked this post by Project GatTagO:
G Atsma (08-04-2020), gofastwclass (08-04-2020)
08-04-2020, 05:00 PM
#80
TECH Senior Member