At what point do you no longer technically consider the engine an LS1?

I think the furthest I could go and still call it an LS1 is cam swap/ported LS6 heads. (since GM makes the heads) If you put forged internals (stock stroke), swap the cam and ported GM heads. That's pushing it for me, I'd probably say no. Some might say as soon as you swap the cam it's not an LS1 anymore. Of course you can do anything to it and still "call" it an LS1.

What do you think?

 

it will always be an ls1 no matter the bore, stroke, cam, heads, ect. an ls1 is simply a genIII motor.

 

Look at all that's been done with SBC and BBC motors over the years. No matter what you do to a Big-block Chevy motor, it's still a BBC motor.

Put a forged bottom-end in an LS1 and it's an LS1 with a forged bottom-end. It's that simple.

If the LS1 block is still there, it's still an LS1 motor.

 

Well, I just had a new Comp Cam, 2003 LS6 heads, an LS6 intake, LS6 injectors, an LS2 timing chain and Dynatech Supermaxx headers with high-flow cats and X-pipe installed along with an exisiting GHL catback system and Blackwing. It's still an LS1, but not the same LS1 it was!
Ed

 

As everyone else said, It started life as an ls1, and no matter what you do to it, it will continue to be an ls1. Just like your car started as a Z28, and no matter what you do to it, it will always be a Z28.

 

Whenever an LS1 part is replaced with a non-LS1 part. For example, an LS1 engine with an LS6 intake is not an "LS1", etc, etc, etc,

 

so the 2001+ LS1's aren't LS1's because they have the LS6 intake?

As long as it uses an LS1 block it will always be an LS1.

 

OK, I got carried away and perhaps chose a bad example, but the idea still holds. You can't substitute non-LS1 parts and call it an LS1.

 

If its not a LS1, then what is it?

 

mongrel comes to mind.

 

I think you have to go with the block as the identifier. And if you don't want to call it an LS1 anymore, I guess you could just call it an LSX, I dunno.

 

Hell, just call it a 4th gen small block.

 

What if you have a LS6 block with a 6.0 crank and forged rods (mine)? lol

 

I use the block as a guide. Ls1 block= LS1. LS6 block = LS6.

 

I call mine a Gen 3.What else is it guy's

 

Well, what would GM call it?

 

thats like saying you cant call your firebird a firebird because you changed the body panels...

 

Who gives a damn. Use the block by a reference. If you took a C5R block and threw a bunch of aftermarket forged components in, then its a C5R-based motor. Just b/c you put forged components doesn't make it NOT an LS1. I figure if its still using the block, then it'd be difficult not to term it a LS1/LS6/LS2.

3rd gen small block = LSx family. So whats the point in trying to find a new name for it?

 

But some of the 02 models got LS6 blocks instead of LS1 Blocks. My car did from the factory. I have no idea about the rods but it did come with the LS6 intake and LS1 Heads. But the sales man told me it was a SBC 5.7L, I knew better then that. It does use SBC rod bearings so he might have been right. Maybe we nees to consult the GM Gods on this one.

 

Well, in the case of my Firebird, it becomes very difficult to convince most people that it really is a Firebird. I'm referring to street cars here.