lsx really all that great?

[71maroesteban]

Almost every person that has a old hot rod at my auto school says the lsx is the greatest engine out their and beats the 350 sbc but does it really? I mean I understand the engineering behind the lsx 6 bolt main efi good heads but after about a 10 year run chevy has all ready said the ls3 was the last of the ls engine of family but the sbc 350 had been in use for about 50 years so to all that say the lsx is more reliable you can really say that because it's a fairly new engine as opposed to its sbc counter part which has proved a number of times to be not only a good powerhouse but a engine good for 400 thousand miles and up and as for mileage it's not just engine a mildly built 350 with good rear gears and a overdrive will deliver good numbers as well so is it just people jumping on the bandwagon because they must have the next thing? And also of course I understand the weight difference but for the price is it really worth it I've seen people spend a ton to just do a cam swap while others build a whole motor for much less and has more power

[dontlifttoshift]

Yes.

[TheJDMan]

First, let me say I'm running a 1st gen SBC and I have no immediate plans to swap in an LS engine. However, all the information I have read indicates the LS platform can build more power with less modification while maintaining good drivability. I suspect a big part of this power potential is due to the use of EFI and more efficient intake and exhaust port design. My biggest objection to an LS swap is the nightmare wiring that I simply am not willing to deal with. On the other hand, due in part to the popularity of the LS swaps, there are some real bargins on SBC engines and parts now.

[andrewb70]

Yes.

+1

Andrew

[Z06vet]

I wont build anything without using an lsx motor. After having them in everything I own, I'd just end up disappointed and not want to drive it. The old small blocks are great motors, and there are plenty making more power than my LS1. Same goes for a carburater, I just cant go back to that. If running an automatic, having the computer control both the motor & trans in tandem provides for a much smoother, better responding package. I admit I'm a little biased...

[71maroesteban]

It's just because I drove a 70 nova with an ls1 4l80 and it just didn't feel like a muscle car felt very slow and weak compared to a sbc car I can't ever see myself swapping one especially for the entry price plus upgrades to the motor upgrades to the fuel system motor mounts etc

[Schwartz Performance]

LS engines were in production for 16 years not 10.
What happened from the gen 1 SBC to gen 2? Minor changes.. How long did that last? 1992-1997 then GM got their sh** together and designed the LS.
Gen 1 SBCs are great, and cheap, but the efficiency isn't as great. So, to fix that we put aftermarket heads, intakes, etc on them. What was the highest factory HP offered by an SBC before the LS? Not much.

I have a 400 SBC in my 82 Trans Am and I love the sound of it. Doesn't sound like any LS. But, it's carbureted, the gasket surfaces aren't as precise, it gets terrible fuel mileage.. Etc. but it was a $3500 500hp build.

Not sure why I'm wasting time with this post.. YES LSX ARE THAT GREAT!


-Dale

[ChevelleNV]

Well when you can go get a junkyard LS and stick twin turbos on it and make 1000+ HP without blowing it up after 60+ pulls on the dyno.... I'm sold, you could never do that with a gen 1 SBC

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/h...g_bang_theory/

[andrewb70]

It's just because I drove a 70 nova with an ls1 4l80 and it just didn't feel like a muscle car felt very slow and weak compared to a sbc car I can't ever see myself swapping one especially for the entry price plus upgrades to the motor upgrades to the fuel system motor mounts etc

A stock LS1 was rated at 305HP max, which is about 270 RWHP. I went from a 500RWHP big block 502 to a 6.2L Lsx engine with 420 RWHP and I would never go back. I get 20 mpg and I can drive my car anywhere.

Andrew

[dontlifttoshift]

It's just because I drove a 70 nova with an ls1 4l80 and it just didn't feel like a muscle car felt very slow and weak compared to a sbc car I can't ever see myself swapping one especially for the entry price plus upgrades to the motor upgrades to the fuel system motor mounts etc

Did it have a 3:08 gear in it?

One of the magazines did a study and found that nearly 80% of SBC powered cars were slow and weak, in contrast only 47% of LSX powered cars were slow and weak.

So there it is, you read it on the internet. I am also a French model.

Au revoir!

[XLexusTech]

I say no and here is my thought.
If your targeting 1000 or less hp... an Alum block ls3 will do just fine..
If your targeting + 1000 a 5.3 and some boost will do just fine for half the money.

[71maroesteban]

All great points guys and I don't mean to offend anyone with this thread just wanted to see what you all think to me a sbc is a great engine one that will be with my car for a while that being said once I finish school I would love to build to own lsx with high hp but still learning up on how to build them that's why I love these forums all these guys that build these things and make them run like nothing!

[GBNL]

350 dollar 5.3 engine here , added better heads and intake with a pt88/47 on 16 pounds = 837hp on a mustang dyno loaded to 4500 pounds. Cant go wrong with a ls engine
http://youtu.be/ijWq2vAtOKQ

[Todd in Vancouver]

+1

Andrew

And a +1 again

Also running a SBC and it's a pretty good one at just under 500hp but I'm already planning V2 for my build. But like they say why settle for 500 when I can so easily have 700, 800 or 900hp, MooHaHaHa!

[shortrack]

Have the LS people solved their starve for oil blow up under hard cornering issues yet? Last I heard your only choice was to go to a GM dry sump system and how much is that?

[Damn True]

So nobody tracks an LS car w/o a dry sump? Fascinating.

[LS1-IROC]

If LS swaps cost twice as much as they currently do, they would still be worth it. Once you come to the dark side you'll never want anything to do with a gen 1 sbc ever again. My car makes 450rwhp and still pulls down 29mpg on the highway with a t56 and 4:10s.

[rickpaw]

Yes it was worth it. I swapped out a built Pontiac 400 to a junkyard 5.3 and never looked back.

My biggest objection to an LS swap is the nightmare wiring that I simply am not willing to deal with. On the other hand, due in part to the popularity of the LS swaps, there are some real bargins on SBC engines and parts now.

If you use one of the stand alone harness, there are only a few connections you need to make (ground/constant power/ignition power). Everything else is plug and play.

[Typhoon1015]

Ive heard that the LSX was touched by god himself.

[shortrack]

So nobody tracks an LS car w/o a dry sump? Fascinating.

I remember Ron S saying they lost 5 LS's at one event alone due to oil starvation including his in his Mustang and he went on to say the Vette GM dry sump was the only real cure. I guess you missed that. Fascinating. I was wondering what the current status of that situation was.