What does an LS1 have over a SBC?
Now, don't anybody chime in with "well the LS1 hasn't been around for 35 years", and "the fuel economy is so much better on the LS1", and "the driveability of the ls1, bla, bla". Start a new topic for that one. I just want to hear about the specific things that people think gives the LS1 more potential.
BTW, i am actually pretty neutral on the topic even though it doesn't sound that way. I just want to hear some technical explanations.
Other than that:
-Cooler operating temps due to aluminum block
-Lighter weight
-Better sealing gaskets and seals (no leaks!)
-Stronger 6-bolt mains
Tony
<strong>Our LS1 heads flow more in stock form than most race-ported aftermarket SBC heads. That is the main advantage of the LS1.
Other than that:
-Cooler operating temps due to aluminum block
-Lighter weight
-Better sealing gaskets and seals (no leaks!)
-Stronger 6-bolt mains
Tony</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">About the heads, I'm talking about a fully built motor. Do stage 3 LS6 heads flow better than anything you can get for a SBC? I don't have a clue
Cooler operating temps? Ummm...no. Everything I have ever seen goes against that.
They are definately lighter...+
Is the 6 bolt main aluminum block stronger than a 4 bolt iron block?
The main thing about some high-powered SBCs is that they are solid roller setups, with straight runner tunnel-ram style intakes. There are some racing heads available for SBC that are mega-compression ratio and have very aggressive valve position angles, but these are far from being street motors. Nobody has really built up a mega-cr, all out racing LS1 yet.
Are you comparing all-out potential, or comparible setups between the two motors?
Tony
From my standpoint, an LS1 is too expensive to modify for track requirements, there are much cheaper setups out there.
Additionally, there are engines (the SBC for example) that have been proven over the years. Most of the bugs have been worked out. I don't feel that all the bugs have been worked out of the LS1 yet, and any hoby racer is not going to want to R&D why something broke under race stresses.
For a kick-*** street/strip machine though, I don't think you can beat the LS1
<strong>From my standpoint, an LS1 is too expensive to modify for track requirements, there are much cheaper setups out there.
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Totally agree. To build a 800rwhp LS1, one could easily sink $30K into the motor alone. For a SBC, $8K.
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What we need is more companies making after market parts for the LS1 like they do for the SBCs and BBCs. I wonder how many years will the LS1 have to be around until you can buy a racing cam for $99 like you can for a small block?
<strong>Our LS1 heads flow more in stock form than most race-ported aftermarket SBC heads. That is the main advantage of the LS1.
Tony</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">i disagree with this statement....show me some flow sheets
if i remember correctly (prove me wrong please if i am) you race prepped LS6 heads had a intake port size of close to 235cc and flowed in the 330-340cfm range
with a sbc chevy head with that big of an intake port and a 2.08/2.10 valve, it will flow just as much.
The main difference with the LSX heads are the design of the intake ports and valve angles, i believe they have better velocity than standard SBC heads
Just imagine how freaky it will get when GM puts out the next generation Corvette engines in the next few years. Dual inblock cams, and possibly camless engines using this kind of technology:
http://www.vetteguru.com/misc/elec_valve.jpg
<small>[ August 07, 2002, 03:02 PM: Message edited by: kewlbrz ]</small>
Bottom end differences cannot account for much HP difference, if any.
When it comes to heads - SBC was out for so long there’re all kinds of heads out there.
As an example: LPE built a 427 SBC C4 for Car & Driver. It used SB2 heads, but it made over 600bHP through full exhaust while passing emissions. Car ran ~128MPH in ¼ mile on street tires (full weight of course)
I think the real advantage of LS1 over SBC is to be able to get that power while keeping better streetability, better emissions and better gas mileage (that’s the area where most of the R&D went to IMO). Aluminum block sure is nice too for weight savings that mean a lot in handling/braking department (not a very popular item here <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> )
You can get aluminum SBC bowtie block too however for ~$4.5K….
For a race car I don’t see any reason to go with LS1….
I've personally never seen an 800hp N/A SBC that's even remotely streetable.
All things being equal the LS1/LS6 heads are phenomenal.
i'll have to get my *** in gear to finish my car and see if i can get it on the street. <img border="0" alt="[Burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />
i'll have to get my *** in gear to finish my car and see if i can get it on the street. <img border="0" alt="[Burnout]" title="" src="graemlins/burnout.gif" />
<strong>Has anyone tried the SBC in an late model camaro? Has this been done and if so, how did it work out and is it possible?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I'm almost positive it's been done. In some of the lt1 cars. Might check camaroz28.com or the f-body.org mailing list.





