LS Basics...help! lol

[aronhk_md]

There is lots of info in this section of the forum, but to be honest for a newcomer to the LS world its a bit overwhelming and hard to figure out where to start. The terminology is thrown around and I don't have a clue what the difference is between an L92 and an L76, let alone where to find them.

LY6
LQ4
LQ9
L76
L92
LS376/525
5.3
6.0
6.2
LSX
LS1/2/3/5/7/9
Gen I/II/III/IV

These are some of the terms I see. But is there a primer out there on this stuff somewhere? Something that can tell me what an LQ4 is...or an L76, what the differences are between generations, what kind and year car/trucks they are to be found in, etc? Which of these combos have been found to be better for boosted apps, etc?

We have a sticky with people's combos called "known combos" that would be helpful once you have an idea what you want so you can figure out how to make it work, but that doesn't really help me initially. Can anyone point me in the right direction? Thanks!

[Ron.in.SoCal]

Here's a quick primer Aaron. Not complete, but a good place to start:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Motors_LS_engine

[andrewb70]

The Gen refer to the generation of small block Chevy. Gen I and II are you basic old school small blocks. Not sure where the distinction between Gen I and II are. Maybe two piece and rear piece rear seal? Maybe the later Vortec style cylinder heads. Maybe the 92-96 LT1s were Gen II? I have no idea....

Gen III refers to the early style LSx (and various truck) engines and had a 24 tooth crank reluctor wheel. The years are 1997-2004(sometimes 2005, depending on the vehicle). Gen IV engines have a 58 tooth crank reluctor wheel and all have DBW throttle bodies.

The wiki link is a good place to start.

Andrew

[Schwartz Performance]

There are plenty of magazine articles published online to check out that can help, as well as google of course and Wikipedia.

There's a lot of technical info out there to learn... Don't burn yourself out on all of the designations.. I can't even remember what half of them are.. Lol.

-Dale

[aronhk_md]

Thanks guys! The wiki pub was a good info. While its a lot of stuff to remember Dale, when trying to get an idea what I may want to do with my project there is NO WAY to navigate that process without figuring out those designations to see what years and donor cars might meet my goals. That wiki might be a good sticky at the top of the sub-forum

[garys 68]

Add the GM Vortec link for the iron block truck motors too.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_Vortec_engine

[srh3trinity]

Start off with aluminum or iron block first. Make that decision, then tell us the goals of your build and people can tell you a donor car. Ls1tech is where I dig deeper, but that site is huge. There are plenty of folks over here with LS knowledge that should be able to steer you in the right way. If you are doing a complete engine build with aftermarket parts, the designation won't matter as much. If you want certain heads or features to start with, then you will have to know which engines came with those items.

[Mkelcy]

Try this site too: http://www.nookandtranny.com/Info_LSx.php

[cmac06]

Here is a good interchange chart if you are looking at transplanting OE parts such as heads: http://www.fbparts.com/ls_general_charts.htm.

Other things to consider are computer/reluctor compatibility, throttle bodies (all gen IV is DBW think this was mentioned earlier, gen III is sorta a hybrid). The best option is usually to get a complete pullout motor to start with. Check the local salvage yards, these swaps are becoming so common that most will have a complete pullout for reasonable prices (at least here in Central Alabama). You can then freshen it up as you see fit.

[srh3trinity]

Quick rundown from memory. Feel free, to add, edit and correct if I missed something. I am leaving off the FWD LS4 iterations.

LY6 6.0L iron block, rectangular port heads, Variable valve timing, found in newer work vans, ?some trucks
LQ4 6.0L iron block, cathedral port heads, dished pistons Found in 2500 Chevy trucks and work vans
LQ9 6.0L iron block, cathedral heads, flat pistons, found in Escalades and Denalis
L76 6.0L alum block, rectangular port heads, Displacement on demand, found in G8 GT's
L92 6.2L alum block, rectangular port heads, VVT, found in some trucks, newer Escalades, Denalis
LS376 480 or 525 6.2L alum block, rectangular headsGMPP crate motor, essentially an LS3 with a cam upgrade
5.3 Iron or Alum blocks, various different heads, Truck motor
6.0 LS2, LQ4 or LQ9, LY6, L76
6.2 LS3, L99, L92
LSX GMPP block, iron for large bore/stroke builds
LS1 5.7L alum block, came in 4th gen F-bodies, C5 Corvettes, early GTO
LS2 6.0L alum block, cathedral port heads later GTO's, early C6 Corvettes, Gen 1 CTS-v
LS3 6.2L alum block, rectangular port heads Camaro's, later C6 Corvettes
L99 6.2L alum block, rectangular port heads came in 5th gen Camaro's with automatic trans
LS6 5.7L alum block, cathedral port heads C5 Z06
LS7 7.0L alum block, dry sump oil system C6 Z06 and new Z/28
LSA 6.2L alum block, supercharged Gen 2 CTS-v, ZL1
LS9 6.2L alum block, supercharged C6 ZR1
LT1 6.2L alum block, direct injection C7
LT4 6.2L alum block, supercharged C7 Z06

Gen I old school Chevy SBC
Gen II LT1's from C4 Corvettes and early 4th gen F-bodies
Gen III LS1, LQ4/9, older Vortec 4.8 and 5.3 24 or 58 tooth reluctors, DBC or DBW throttle bodies depending on year/model
Gen IV LS2?, LS3, L99, L76, LY6, L99 58 tooth reluctors, DBW throttle bodies

I don't know much about the computer controllers.

[tommycomfort]

I bought these three books about the time we started planning our swap. The "swap into anything" book was very useful for descriptions.

[cmac06]

I bought these three books about the time we started planning our swap. The "swap into anything" book was very useful for descriptions.

Those are all excellent, and a must have for anyone considering a swap and/or rebuild?