Strongest aluminum LS
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From: Pittsburgh
Strongest aluminum LS I saw a video where someone claimed the LS1 and LS2 blocks were stronger than a LS3 block? Is there much of a difference or is someone blowing smoke?
From a power handling standpoint, the LS1 is out. The LS2 and LS3 blocks have the bay windows in the bulkhead webbing…it’s great for breathing but there’s a YUGE piece of aluminum removed to make that bay window possible. If you want the strongest aluminum GM block from a power handling standpoint, turn to the aluminum LC9 or similiar gen4 truck blocks. No bay windows (might cost you 20 hp at 8k rpm) and the same siamesed cylinders begging for Darton sleeves.
LS3 blocks can suffer from core shift during manufacture which can make one side of the machined sleeve thinner than the other.... they are also the thinner than a 4.0 LS2. LS1 architecture is quite old and the LS2 was a better design (LY6 is same). 5.3 as mentioned has thickest sleeves and technically can hold the most power. Many crazy drag racers using the LC9 block with better internals and basic TFS 220cc as cast heads making big power 1400-1500hp flywheel+.
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The LS1 and LS2 blocks are indeed known for their strength, but the LS3 block has its own advantages. The LS3 block features improved casting and design enhancements, which contribute to better durability and performance. While the LS1 and LS2 blocks are robust, the LS3 benefits from advancements in engineering that make it more capable of handling higher power levels.
The LS1 and LS2 blocks are indeed known for their strength, but the LS3 block has its own advantages. The LS3 block features improved casting and design enhancements, which contribute to better durability and performance. While the LS1 and LS2 blocks are robust, the LS3 benefits from advancements in engineering that make it more capable of handling higher power levels.
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I heard way back when that an LS1 block was a strong candidate for strokers and at one time it probably was but nobody does them anymore. Strongest aluminum LS block would have to be the Concept Performance LSR block but man are they expensive.
Only $1500 or so more than a resleeved oem block. I saw a guy with one of those and an F1x procharger on one of the GTO pages he's been winning a lot of no prep events which is saying a lot with a heavy GTO and IRS suspension. I bet it's 150 pounds less than a dart iron or lsx block. That's a lot of weight off the front end.
The video is of an interview with the owner of LME. He says in the video that of all the FACTORY aluminum options, the LS3 is not the first option for bigger power builds due to the horrible core shift and uneven sleeves due to this. He says that he prefers an LS2, LSA, or LS9 over the LS3.
Ok thanks that is the same video I referenced in a different thread about block resleeving. I think he mentions resleeving a block actually weakens them due to the removal of aluminum.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Pittsburgh
He did say the ls3 block is the worst choice of all the LS blocks for high horsepower and said resleeving blocks gives you the ability for more cubic inches but makes the block weaker.
He mentioned the LT blocks are good to 1500 rwhp before they break. So what does it take to put an LT block converted to port injection into an LS vehicle lol.
He mentioned the LT blocks are good to 1500 rwhp before they break. So what does it take to put an LT block converted to port injection into an LS vehicle lol.
More to block strength than sleeve thickness. ANY of the LS blocks that have the cast in bay to bay breathing windows can, and have, blown the bottom ends of the block out. Anyone's guess as to at what power level the block becomes compromised. According to Steve at R.E.D., when he was using Darton wet sleeves in LS1 blocks (I had one), he preferred the '99-'00 LS1 blocks that had no main webbing windows over the later LS1 and LS6 blocks, which did. I've seen a couple of blocks myself where the main webbing failed at the windows. Yes, probably have to be well into 4 digit power, but it becomes a factor at some point.......
Last edited by grinder11; Sep 4, 2024 at 04:09 PM.