What makes the LS1 "special?"
01-17-2010, 10:55 AM
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What makes the LS1 "special?" What are some of the technical reasons the LS1 is labeled as a performance engine? What separates this V8 from any other push rod style V8 engine? I know with the LS7's it's a number of different things. Titanium connecting rods, a dry sump oil system just to name a few.
But what about the LS1?
PS-No im not looking for "because it's touched by the hand of god" answers either, thanks
But what about the LS1?
PS-No im not looking for "because it's touched by the hand of god" answers either, thanks
01-17-2010, 11:07 AM
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All Aluminum? Just kidding.
Its just a very efficient design, which is what GM set out to do when they decided to redesign their V8 smallblock platform.
There arent to many pushrod v8s that get 25+ mpg and can have in upwards of 500 hp
Its just a very efficient design, which is what GM set out to do when they decided to redesign their V8 smallblock platform.
There arent to many pushrod v8s that get 25+ mpg and can have in upwards of 500 hp
01-17-2010, 11:16 AM
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The heads are a big part of the power difference as opposed to traditional "stock style " heads . Aluminum blocks & heads are light weight also. Gives you a much better "power to weight " ratio when compared to a traditional s/b. Im sure theres a lot more than this too .
Quote * In many ways, the LS1 is superior to any small-block that came before it. A deep-skirt, six-bolt-main block, with structural oil pan and other carefully engineered features, helps make the LS1 a strong, smooth running and dependable engine. A highlift camshaft actuating big 2.00/1.55 valves in symmetrical-port cylinder heads helps make it a uncompromised performer. * End Quote
Quote * In many ways, the LS1 is superior to any small-block that came before it. A deep-skirt, six-bolt-main block, with structural oil pan and other carefully engineered features, helps make the LS1 a strong, smooth running and dependable engine. A highlift camshaft actuating big 2.00/1.55 valves in symmetrical-port cylinder heads helps make it a uncompromised performer. * End Quote
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01-17-2010, 11:56 AM
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I really dont know what's special about it to be honest with you? In my eyes it's a dependable, reliable and a very simple traditional V8. That's why I started this thread in hopes of perhaps maybe getting some technical facts that make this motor stand out from the rest.
01-17-2010, 12:50 PM
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I believe the VALUE of the LS1 is one of its main points. You can make cheap reliable power with these motors and that can't be said about a lot of other ones. As someone already stated the aftermarket is HUGE, there are conversion kits for multiple vehicles etc.
The OP compares the LS1 to the LS7, look at price, look at the time difference. The LS7 came out in 06 with the Z06 and the LS1 came out in 97 with the 'vette. If you go 9 years back from the LS1 and look at what was being run, IMO the LS1 is more revolutionary than the LS7 (relatively speaking using time). The LS1 was a complete redesign and was very far from "traditional" as you describe it in one of your posts.
Reliable, efficient, cost effective (relative to amount of power), huge aftermarket, etc. etc. That's what's so special about the LS1.
The OP compares the LS1 to the LS7, look at price, look at the time difference. The LS7 came out in 06 with the Z06 and the LS1 came out in 97 with the 'vette. If you go 9 years back from the LS1 and look at what was being run, IMO the LS1 is more revolutionary than the LS7 (relatively speaking using time). The LS1 was a complete redesign and was very far from "traditional" as you describe it in one of your posts.
Reliable, efficient, cost effective (relative to amount of power), huge aftermarket, etc. etc. That's what's so special about the LS1.
01-17-2010, 12:57 PM
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Head design, camshaft profile, intake flow, displacement, and compression. All the same stuff that's been making engines more powerful for years. There is nothing magical about the LS1, any SBC can make the same power or more. GM just took the basic princeples of building horsepower and went to the next step with a clean-slate small block design, using advanced electronic powertrain control to maximize fuel economy and driveability, while minimizing emissions.
01-17-2010, 01:17 PM
#18
one thing, I'd say, is the pushrod design A lot of it has to do with the fact that it's a pushrod design, and there are not many of those being made any more. Pushrods have a big advantage in size/weight, and torque.
Folks who don't know the differences between a pushrod and a DOHC will compare displacements and presume that one with the bigger displacement (aka, the LSx) is bigger and heavier, but it's usually the opposite, because the the pushrod's design is inherently much more compact (and the LS1 is all aluminum, increasing the weight advantage). My understanding (stop me if I'm wrong, guys) is that for comparison an LS1 is more along the lines weight-wise with a 3.2-or-so v6 DOHC.
Somewhere in Internet Land is a web page I read a few years ago about a guy replacing the 6-cyl. in his Porsche 911 with an LS1- not only did it fit into the 911 fine, the LS1 weighed 50 pounds less. People drop LS1's into Mazda RX7's and RX8's, and Miatas- those are very small cars, but the LS1 is actually small enough and light enough to work.
DOHC's do have advantages in valvetrain efficiency and volumetric efficiency (ricers know that as hp/liter). And all carmakers, including GM, wisely strive to increase VE. However, at the end of the day what matters is how much hp and torque are you getting out of what size and weight package? The LS1 shines when you compare output vs. size/weight.
And torque- most people don't even know what it is. LS1's have it in spades. DOHC's, on the other hand, tend to run much weaker in this category.
Its simpler design means it's less costly to build, and easier to mod or repair.
Gas mileage: I floor a lot of people when they find out I get gas mileage in the mid/low 20's. We get better gas mileage than Honda S2000's, which have half the cylinders.
So, in a nutshell- why are LS1's good? Size and weight, torque, and gas mileage. It first came out in '97- 13 years ago! and still compares pretty well to today's competition.
Folks who don't know the differences between a pushrod and a DOHC will compare displacements and presume that one with the bigger displacement (aka, the LSx) is bigger and heavier, but it's usually the opposite, because the the pushrod's design is inherently much more compact (and the LS1 is all aluminum, increasing the weight advantage). My understanding (stop me if I'm wrong, guys) is that for comparison an LS1 is more along the lines weight-wise with a 3.2-or-so v6 DOHC.
Somewhere in Internet Land is a web page I read a few years ago about a guy replacing the 6-cyl. in his Porsche 911 with an LS1- not only did it fit into the 911 fine, the LS1 weighed 50 pounds less. People drop LS1's into Mazda RX7's and RX8's, and Miatas- those are very small cars, but the LS1 is actually small enough and light enough to work.
DOHC's do have advantages in valvetrain efficiency and volumetric efficiency (ricers know that as hp/liter). And all carmakers, including GM, wisely strive to increase VE. However, at the end of the day what matters is how much hp and torque are you getting out of what size and weight package? The LS1 shines when you compare output vs. size/weight.
And torque- most people don't even know what it is. LS1's have it in spades. DOHC's, on the other hand, tend to run much weaker in this category.
Its simpler design means it's less costly to build, and easier to mod or repair.
Gas mileage: I floor a lot of people when they find out I get gas mileage in the mid/low 20's. We get better gas mileage than Honda S2000's, which have half the cylinders.
So, in a nutshell- why are LS1's good? Size and weight, torque, and gas mileage. It first came out in '97- 13 years ago! and still compares pretty well to today's competition.
01-17-2010, 02:30 PM
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Look at all of the advancements in technology in every category of our lives since 1997, from personal electronics to automotive design. Yet, the LS1 (and its current base-trim decendant, the LS3) still shines above and beyond all other regular production NA V8 competition in terms of power and MPG-to-HP ratio.