ls1 questions
you guys are probably going to say search and what not. i've searched and haven't found to much out for what i wanna know.
ima buy an ls1 block and i heard they have oiling issues. but, i want to rebuild it and put it into my 240sx. so, i have a few q's.
when i rebuild it which route should i go? should i just stay stock or go aftermarket? my main goal is to have a 350hp vehicle built with maxiumum durability and reliability as possible. i plan to track the car sometimes here and there. and obd 2 and carb legal as well.
since, i'm buying a bareblock i can buy forged parts if i need to ahead of time. i wanna just do it right and do it once.
so, in summary
stock power / greatest amounts of edurance/reliability possible. what parts are weak on stock ls1 gm blocks? that i should probably replace anyway.
is it ok to get an aftermarket grinded camshaft or would that toss out reliability and smog legal out the window?
i live in california as well so hehe that's a main issue for me smog smog smog
oh yeah my main goals for this motor is
smog legal, reliable, carb legal, and most of all has tons of response/usable power band. i'm not looking to build a dyno queen or anything. this is going to be my street car for the most as well. so that's why i opted for tons of response and usable power band.
something of a budget build too, i'm sure that's possible with all these v8's running around.
thanks for the help ahead of time
Last edited by s14akouki; Mar 16, 2009 at 06:36 PM.
thanks
This is the failzors... Nothing is weak about an LS1 BLOCK to answer your question. LS1's do not have oiling issues... Smaller cams will not have smog issues... But my opinion on your idea is that your should stick with your SR20DET and GT28RS bullshit. Trending Topics
if i were you, i'd buy a complete ls1 engine. piecing one together is going to cost 2x as much when it is said and done. buy a stock engine, put headers on it and a good tune, it will make power and start/drive perfect every time. i've seen engine dynos showing 410+ fwhp from bolt-on motors. more than you're asking for and does not endanger the life of the engine whatsoever.
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
if i were you, i'd buy a complete ls1 engine. piecing one together is going to cost 2x as much when it is said and done. buy a stock engine, put headers on it and a good tune, it will make power and start/drive perfect every time. i've seen engine dynos showing 410+ fwhp from bolt-on motors. more than you're asking for and does not endanger the life of the engine whatsoever.
Ummm. If your 99 has oil return issues, then you should look further into how to correct the problem, rather than dump extra oil in the bitch. You're a ******* idiot.
but, yeah i think i'll just look for a sweet ls1 already complete then pieceing it together =D
i don't really intend on redlining the car all day at the track when i do go anyhow.
thanks for the help guys
nice folks here =D
well that's why i wanna get my car carb legal... and my car wouldn't be that loud i'd keep all the cats and mufflers and all the quiet stuff. maybe a better free flowing exhaust if anything.
these motors make all the power i'd want already in stock form and 240's are plenty light w/ this much power it'll be sheer bliss and fun.
you guys are probably going to say search and what not. i've searched and haven't found to much out for what i wanna know.
ima buy an ls1 block and i heard they have oiling issues. but, i want to rebuild it and put it into my 240sx. so, i have a few q's.
when i rebuild it which route should i go? should i just stay stock or go aftermarket? my main goal is to have a 350hp vehicle built with maxiumum durability and reliability as possible. i plan to track the car sometimes here and there. and obd 2 and carb legal as well.
since, i'm buying a bareblock i can buy forged parts if i need to ahead of time. i wanna just do it right and do it once.
so, in summary
stock power / greatest amounts of edurance/reliability possible. what parts are weak on stock ls1 gm blocks? that i should probably replace anyway.
is it ok to get an aftermarket grinded camshaft or would that toss out reliability and smog legal out the window?
i live in california as well so hehe that's a main issue for me smog smog smog
oh yeah my main goals for this motor is
smog legal, reliable, carb legal, and most of all has tons of response/usable power band. i'm not looking to build a dyno queen or anything. this is going to be my street car for the most as well. so that's why i opted for tons of response and usable power band.
something of a budget build too, i'm sure that's possible with all these v8's running around.
thanks for the help ahead of time
these motors make all the power i'd want already in stock form and 240's are plenty light w/ this much power it'll be sheer bliss and fun.
back on track...the oil return issues have everything to do with the area in the back of the block machined to return oil from the heads to the pan and has NOTHING to do with pcv. the 97-99 blocks have 2 small holes in the back of the block as opposed to the 2000+ blocks which have an oval area (basically machined out the area between the 2 holes on the previous blocks) which obviously allows much better oil return to the pan.
iwgf, had you ever worked on one of these engines or had any clue wtf you're doing with an ls1, you would already know this. i suggest you learn something about the engines you are trying to give advice about, because i do believe that the fungus on my left ******** knows more about an ls1 than you do, sir.
To answer the OP- Cali will not crush ur car unless they can prove it has stolen parts, AND you have to be a repeat offender. There is nothing wrong with living out here, as opposed to some ho-bunk lil hick town out in cow country, or barren *** desert. This is where all the sunshine and pretty girls are man.

You can make some decent power with a Ls1 if modded right. Some guys have even passed smog with a 228 cam, so don't be afraid to go with a decent sized cam, though a 224 should be enough to put down 400rwhp+. I would suggest claiming the engine to be from a 2001+ car. That way you can avoid having to use the EGR crap, and don't have to mod the intake you are going to use to accommodate the tube. The main thing is to take your time and chose your mods wisely.
I have a couple friends with 240's and they always have trouble with those engines for some reason.
I am not 100% sure on the location of the stock Catalytic convertor, but if it is underbody far enough, it will allow you to use long tube headers and remain legal.
As far as the truck blocks go, the actual weight of the iron block is 70lbs more than the alum. block.
For the heads you can send a set of 5.3/5.7 heads to Patriot for CNC porting for ~$600, just remember to have the intake valves swapped out for LS1 valves as they are smaller on the 5.3 heads. Though the 5.3 heads will give you a good bump in compression to help that cam make power. IMHO for something so close to stock the L92 heads are overkill, and the L76 intake sucks. Stick with the LS6 intake and a P&P TB or a FAST 90/90 set-up. 230's cam will deff. not pass smog no matter how good the tuner.
Last edited by djsanchez2; Mar 30, 2009 at 04:53 PM.






