Thoughts on dropping in an L92?

[sixonthefloor]

After doing tons of research on this site and others, I'm leaning towards the L92 engine for my '61 Impala. Seems like nobody is doing this, any thoughts as to why? It makes more torque down low than the LS2, and doesn't seem to give up any top end power.

Down the road I'll probably swap the cam, but low-end torque is what my boat needs. Behind it I'll have a TKO600 and 3.70 gears.

Thanks,
Josh

[in2protour]

other than the LQ9 motor is Iron Block and LS2 is Aluminum Block, everything bolts on the same. I think the reluctor ring is different on LQ9 than on the LS2.

[WS6]

The L92 is very new and not very common compared to the LS2.

Mast Motorsports --------> has some drop in L92s that look nice. I see no reason not to consider the engine if you can get one.

[sixonthefloor]

Thanks for the feedback. The L92 has an aluminum block and displaces 6.2L. The L92 is the current Escalade/Yukon Denali engine.

In comparison to the LS2, the L92 appears to have about 50 lb/ft more torque at 1,000 RPM (looking at the GM parts catalog, really small dyno graph) - this is what got my attention. Oh, and the L92 heads and L76 intake!

I'll call around for their availability tomorrow.

Josh

[Trevor @ Texas Speed]

The L92 has become very popular. We sell a LOT of 418 cid L92 strokers, and you can make some incredible power. We have made 645 flywheel HP with our 418 L92 and our PRC ported L92 cylinder heads. This was with 11:1 CR, too! If you are considering a factory GM L92 engine, you won't be able to go too crazy on the camshaft since the large 2.165" intake valve limits p-to-v clearance quite a bit. However, if you end up with a stroker, you'll have big valve reliefs to alleviate that problem.

We have basic 418 cid L92 long-blocks starting at $7,899 + shipping. We have an endless choice of camshafts, so we can help you spec one out that will suit your needs. The prices we have listed on our website do not include an oil pan, windage tray, valve covers, etc., but we can put an itemized estimate together for you with any of these parts included.

Let me know if I can help!

Trevor
Texas Speed & Performance

[Chad-1stGen]

Is the L92 the one that has VVT or something in it?

[sixonthefloor]

Thanks for the info Trevor. For now, due to limited budget, I'm going to stick with a stock crate engine, but I'll keep you in mind for the future.

Yes, I believe this is a VVT motor.

Josh

[Mr.VENGEANCE]

ive been wondering about this motor also..

the weight diffrence was the only thing concerning me.. but i figure its around the same.

so its basically more tourquey than the LS2 motor.. but relatively the same?

[sixonthefloor]

I would think they weigh close to the same - L92 and LS2/3 all have aluminum block and heads.

If you go to the GM performance parts catalog (can download at http://www.gmperformanceparts.com/Parts/catalog.jsp) p.77 has the LS2 and p.85 has the L92 (Adobe page #'s, not catalog page #'s). Best I can tell, at 1,000 RPM, the L92 makes 300 lb/ft vs 250 lb/ft for the LS2. Redline is the same, and peak power is actually slightly higher for the L92.

Josh

[sixonthefloor]

I finally had a chance to test fit the L92. I need to switch to the F-body oil pan, as the truck pan is too deep, and there is a little kick out on the passenger side that interferes with the crossmember.

I went with the stock Escalade accessories. The a/c bracket will definitely hit the crossmember, however I can notch that bracket enough (I think) to clear the crossmember. Once I put on the new oil pan and notch the bracket, I'll try another test fit. Hopefully the compressor clears - it looks close, but possible. I considered going with an aftermarket accessory setup - it would cost about $1,000 more, but would have no clearance issues and would certainly look nicer. However, for that kind of money, looks from the driver's seat are far more important to me!

In case you're wondering, the plastic on the fenders is from my under-hood sanding & painting project underway ... not for dent protection

Josh

[oestek]

How's your hood clearance?

[cspengler]

Hi,

What headers are you using in the 61' Impala?

Thanks,

Chris

[sixonthefloor]

Don't know the hood clearance yet, but when I talked to Street & Performance, who has done similar conversions, they didn't mention any issues. This Sunday I'll put on the F-body oil pan, and then I'll know how clearance is, I'll post after that.

For headers, I ordered two different brands of block huggers (no headers out there specifically for this app as far as I can find) - Hookers ($390) and Street & Performance ($600). The S&P quality appears far better than the Hookers, plus the primary tubes are a couple of inches longer. Also S&P has oxygen sensor bungs already welded in, which isn't that big of a deal, but does save a step and a few bucks.

The pic below isn't great (I'll find a better one & post), but you can kinda see the shine difference (S&P on top). The coating quality on the Hookers was uneven, and you can see grind marks on the flange that the coating doesn't smooth out. Also, on the inside where the 4 tubes combine on the Hookers looks like a beginner welding job. I'm a sucker for details.

I have the Flowmaster exhaust setup (2.5"), so I'll have to weld my own pipes up to connect to the headers.

[cspengler]

Hi,

What size tubing did S&P use? They are nice headers, in the write up from S&P they did on a 60' Biscayne w/LS1 & T56 install they call out a set of headers that fit 58'-64' X frames.

Thanks,

Chris

[subtlez28]

Any progress? I'm doing an L92 aswell.

I wanted an L92 from the 1st time I read about them. I figured I would have to wait a couple years for them to get obtainable, but fell into an outstanding deal on some never installed L92s from a derailed GM freight car.

What harness are you going to run?

What trans?

[sixonthefloor]

The S&P headers are 1 5/8" OD.

Progress is going real slow, but I'm taking a few days off next week to work on the car. I'll be running a TKO600 trans (would've used a T56, but I wanted to retain the stock bench seat), with the taller 5th gear, along with 3.70 gears. For wiring I'm using a Speartech harness.

In the pic below, the S&P headers are on top, Hookers are on the bottom. You can see that the S&P collector will make for slightly better flow overall, as the headers are the same height up to the collector.

[SLAMDIMPALA]

any updates? Did you get the motor installed and running? Please post pics.

[sixonthefloor]

Unfortunately I've had very little time to work on the car, but here is what I've done so far. I got the motor to fit, but it took a bit of trial and error. The Advanced Adapters engine mounts I bought didn't move the engine back enough so I bought Street & Performance brackets. I then had to get stock GM motor mounts to make the engine fit, as aftermarket mounts just wouldn't line up right - with the aftermarket parts I couldn't even get the engine between the mounts on the frame.

At this point I can line up the two engine mount bolts, but the F-body oil pan just barely touches the frame crossmember in two spots, so pretty soon I'll be cutting that up and welding in some patches. I'll post pics when I do, the points that interfere are small bumps in the oil pan so the surgery doesn't look to be major. I spoke to Mark @ Street & Performance and he said he has about 1/8" clearance when he does this combo. I guess each '61 GM is a little different.

Josh

[matdean]

Any updates on this? Its good to have some first hand knowledge that the truck intake will fit under a stock hood.