LS2 carb setup - pros and cons
LS2 carb setup - pros and cons I'm trying to decide whether to go with fuel injection or a carb setup for my 05 GTO ls2 in my 69 Z, anyone have advice or an experience with the carb setup. I've never worked on a fuel injected/computer controlled car and I can't get a difinitive answer from any friends except for improved throttle response. I feel the carb would be more suited to a 60's musclecar. Cost wise, after selling the LS2 intake, MAF etc., it would be cheaper to buy the edelbrock MSD setup. I'm in the planning stages right now and I need to make a decision soon in order to get things ready for spring. Thanks.
Every carb setup I see seems to make just as much if not more HP, I will drive the car for pleasure and plan on keeping it forever so MPG really isn't a factor, looks are a matter of opinion and as far adjustments, I know more about jets than laptops . Anyone have any better suggestions, no need to get wise about it.
TECH Regular
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 406
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From: Bay Area, CA
The vast majority of the beauty of the LSX engines are the fuel injection systems... Why get rid of that? If you just want a carbed motor, why not build a small block and get some killer heads for it?
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Typically because of the design of the carbed intake manifolds they will make more power up top. The single plane intakes do give up a bit of torque down low. The advantage to fuel injection is driveability, fuel mileage, cold start ability, longevity of the engine, and precision tuning parameters. However it is commonly accepted that the carb will typically make a few more hp up top.
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looks like this guy has your setup https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-swaps/625225-my-6-0l-s-10-a.html
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 154
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From: Burlington, ON
There are pros and cons to each setup as I see it.
For me, I am going the carb route for the following reasons:
- I already do have an LS1 motor but none of the stuff I would need for fuel injection. At this point it is cheaper to go with a carbed setup.
- Carbed with MSDs new ignition sure is way more of a simple setup with minimal wiring than EFI would be.
- Carbed engines don't usually make any less power than EFI. However, as mentioned and from what I have seen, the single plane carbed intake will always make more power than any of the production LS EFI manifolds out there.
- Fuel economy is not a concern to me and I have a feeling a carbed LS1 wil be way better on fuel than any carbed SBC or SBF would be on the street.
- Carb's do not often need tuning and are relatively easy to setup. EFI, you have to enjoy the tuning aspect or you won't have fun.
- I think a carbed setup sitting on an LS1 in an older musclecar looks way more badass than EFI with a stock plastic manifold and throttlebody.
However, one downsize of a carb setup though is hood clearance. LS1s with a carb/intake on top will not clear too many older musclecar hoods so this issue has to be dealt with.
For me, I am going the carb route for the following reasons:
- I already do have an LS1 motor but none of the stuff I would need for fuel injection. At this point it is cheaper to go with a carbed setup.
- Carbed with MSDs new ignition sure is way more of a simple setup with minimal wiring than EFI would be.
- Carbed engines don't usually make any less power than EFI. However, as mentioned and from what I have seen, the single plane carbed intake will always make more power than any of the production LS EFI manifolds out there.
- Fuel economy is not a concern to me and I have a feeling a carbed LS1 wil be way better on fuel than any carbed SBC or SBF would be on the street.
- Carb's do not often need tuning and are relatively easy to setup. EFI, you have to enjoy the tuning aspect or you won't have fun.
- I think a carbed setup sitting on an LS1 in an older musclecar looks way more badass than EFI with a stock plastic manifold and throttlebody.
However, one downsize of a carb setup though is hood clearance. LS1s with a carb/intake on top will not clear too many older musclecar hoods so this issue has to be dealt with.
