Lowest HP LS-style engine?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4
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Lowest HP LS-style engine? I need a LS-engine for registration with a MAX of 300 bhp and 385 Nm (284 lbs/feet).
I've been looking at the 4.8l Vortec engine but it seems even that engine has a tad too much torque.
Any ideas!?!
I've been looking at the 4.8l Vortec engine but it seems even that engine has a tad too much torque.
Any ideas!?!
Why only 284 ft-lbs? The '99 4.8 was 285, isn't that close enough? The '00-'04 pickup 4.8 was also 285 ft-lbs, but was up to 270 hp, from 255 in '99.
There's nothing in U.S. registration law that specifies engine torque, and transmission torque ratings aren't that absolute. Plus if you live at higher elevation, you're not getting all that the rating suggests, anyway.
There's nothing in U.S. registration law that specifies engine torque, and transmission torque ratings aren't that absolute. Plus if you live at higher elevation, you're not getting all that the rating suggests, anyway.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 4
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Thanks for the info, it's not for a registration in the US.
They go by the factory rating so a dyno or a custom engine is not an option.
285 ft/lbs might be good enough, what specific make and models have that engine?
Thanks!
They go by the factory rating so a dyno or a custom engine is not an option.
285 ft/lbs might be good enough, what specific make and models have that engine?
Thanks!
The 4.8L was 1st produced in 1999-2007 for the Gen III and can be found in many GM/Chevy Trucks, Van's and SUV's (I would say it wasn't the most popular option to order, 5.3L's are more common). Also as a Gen IV engine from 2005 to present. So.. there should be a lot of them out there in the junk yards or intenet ordered (eBay or Craigslist).
I think I read that the Gen IV is near the end of life and that the Gen V will start being used in the next few years.
BTW - where are you located at ? just wondering about those restrictions and why ?
I think I read that the Gen IV is near the end of life and that the Gen V will start being used in the next few years.
BTW - where are you located at ? just wondering about those restrictions and why ?
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On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 156
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4.8 block + bore to 3.90" + stroker crank + good heads = close enough to legal
Not to hijack the thread but me and a friend was sitting around drinking beer one night talking about the old 302DZ engines in the 69 z/28s....anyone think it could be possible to put a 5.3 crank in a 4.8 or put a 4.8 crank in a 5.3 and make a LS302 or whatever the cubes would be?Throw some L92 heads on it and a healthy cam.It would be a screaming RPM beast!
the 4.8/5.3 share same engine block. different crank and rods. same compression height piston.
a 4.8 bored .06 with stock crank would make 303ci or 5.0
even drunk on crown, to me l92 heads on 3.84 bore would be a very bad idea
Problem. L92 is used for 4" or larger bore engines.. would not work well on a 4.8l or 5.3l engine (3.90") block wtihout problems of the valve being to close to the cylinder/block.
Also. the Gen III/IV engine were built more in mine for long stroke and torque engine.. the old short stroke DZ / 302 engine was a 4" bore/3" stroke and was desgined for high winding applications. If you wanted to do that, I would recommend starting with a 6.0L block and get a de-stroked crank (3").. a 302 is not always a 302...
Also. the Gen III/IV engine were built more in mine for long stroke and torque engine.. the old short stroke DZ / 302 engine was a 4" bore/3" stroke and was desgined for high winding applications. If you wanted to do that, I would recommend starting with a 6.0L block and get a de-stroked crank (3").. a 302 is not always a 302...
Not to hijack the thread but me and a friend was sitting around drinking beer one night talking about the old 302DZ engines in the 69 z/28s....anyone think it could be possible to put a 5.3 crank in a 4.8 or put a 4.8 crank in a 5.3 and make a LS302 or whatever the cubes would be?Throw some L92 heads on it and a healthy cam.It would be a screaming RPM beast!
Saw an original DZ302 with the cross ram dual 4 barrels at a car show in York PA over the weekend. The plaque said less than 40 are known to exist. Pretty rare. Hated to see it in a show car, something like that is made to be flogged.
On The Tree
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 156
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There was a car magazine that did pretty much what you said, built a 302 from an LS motor and stuck it in a 69 camaro. They had a pretty big write up on the motor. I only remember it because they spent a lot on machining and lost a ton of torque and HP in the process
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 122
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From: Richmond, VA
Back to the original topic: what rating system? I can't recall what year exactly, but SAE changed the way they rate engine output sometime around 2004. I think that most of GM's engines actually ended up scoring higher numbers, but it's something to consider.
If you can't find anything locally, and are willing to have one shipped from the U.S.A., try www.lkqcorp.com.
Once you get it installed and running and legal, then you can do cams and stuff to get more power, since they don't go by a dyno.
Staging Lane
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 83
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