is an ls1 a good starting platform?

**2-bowties&abird** · 03-13-2008, 12:13 PM

i would like to take a poll on how many of you think $$ per HP, an LS1 powered car is or is not the best starting platform.

this was a debate on another thread that i would like to prove that it is.

**ss~zoso~ss** · 03-13-2008, 12:24 PM

oohhh I would say that it is, 6 bolt main, light weight engine, compatible with MANY other GM engines and parts, the list goes on and on

**2-bowties&abird** · 03-13-2008, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by ss~zoso~ss

oohhh I would say that it is, 6 bolt main, light weight engine, compatible with MANY other GM engines and parts, the list goes on and on

one for me keep going guys

**Spaz** · 03-13-2008, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by 2-bowties&abird

i would like to take a poll on how many of you think $$ per HP, an LS1 powered car is or is not the best starting platform.

this was a debate on another thread that i would like to prove that it is.

$$ per hp i'd say yes... i can't think of another motor that is out there right now that has more or better capability than a LS1 or any LSx block for that matter... the LS1 responds to mods extremly well... it gets great gas mileage...

**Firebirdjones** · 03-13-2008, 12:51 PM

Well I'm old school, but I like the LS series of motors. Here is why I think they have a disadvantage as compared to the original GEN 1 small block.

The biggest disadvantage these motors have right now is that they are still in their infancy. They are being improved upon every year. Part interchangability is changing, not everything is a simple swap over or bolt on.

Thats where the LS series engines suffer. They just haven't been around long enough to become as user friendly yet. I say YET. Eventually they will, and the aftermarket is strong.

One of the other big problems with LS motors is PRICE$$$$$
Again, the LS motors have not been around long enough to make them economical or affordable. Aftermarket parts are still plenty expensive. They still are not the first choice for engine swaps on street rods and such.

You have to figure the GEN 1 small block has the advantage here simply because it's been around for more than 50 years.
For 50 years the design went virtually unchanged. Swappability is practically endless,,,,boneyards are flooded with the original small block chevys making prices next to nothing, shucks you can find people giving away gen 1 small blocks all the time. They are everywhere,,,,cheap and easy to find.
It has been the #1 choice for hotrodders world wide for decades.
It makes sense, they are plentiful, cheap, and proven to be durable.

As far as HP per dollar, well that is another discussion all together that would take a book.

But as far as I'm concerned, when it comes to pricing, availability, interchangability,,,,,,,the LS motor needs to be around another 30 years,,,,then it would be a contender for a good starting platform.

There ya go,,,a different point of view for you guys to chew on.

**Spaz** · 03-13-2008, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

Well I'm old school, but I like the LS series of motors. Here is why I think they have a disadvantage as compared to the original GEN 1 small block.

The biggest disadvantage these motors have right now is that they are still in their infancy. They are being improved upon every year. Part interchangability is changing, not everything is a simple swap over or bolt on.

Thats where the LS series engines suffer. They just haven't been around long enough to become as user friendly yet. I say YET. Eventually they will, and the aftermarket is strong.

One of the other big problems with LS motors is PRICE$$$$$
Again, the LS motors have not been around long enough to make them economical or affordable. Aftermarket parts are still plenty expensive. They still are not the first choice for engine swaps on street rods and such.

You have to figure the GEN 1 small block has the advantage here simply because it's been around for more than 50 years.
For 50 years the design went virtually unchanged. Swappability is practically endless,,,,boneyards are flooded with the original small block chevys making prices next to nothing, shucks you can find people giving away gen 1 small blocks all the time. They are everywhere,,,,cheap and easy to find.
It has been the #1 choice for hotrodders world wide for decades.
It makes sense, they are plentiful, cheap, and proven to be durable.

As far as HP per dollar, well that is another discussion all together that would take a book.

But as far as I'm concerned, when it comes to pricing, availability, interchangability,,,,,,,the LS motor needs to be around another 30 years,,,,then it would be a contender for a good starting platform.

i dissagree... i got a LS6 crate motor for $4,500... see my sig for my dyno numbers... sorry no time slips yet...) now with the numberts i'm putting down to the rear wheels it will take a fair amount of work on a gen 1 block to come close or equal that...

**Firebirdjones** · 03-13-2008, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by Spaz

i dissagree... i got a LS6 crate motor for $4,500... see my sig for my dyno numbers... sorry no time slips yet...) now with the numberts i'm putting down to the rear wheels it will take a fair amount of work on a gen 1 block to come close or equal that...

You missed the entire point of my post.

But if you want to discuss HP,,,,,The HP of the LS6 crate motor is easy to duplicate for the money you spent. They are not that big of a power house in stock form,,,but they are decent.

**hutch1999** · 03-13-2008, 03:18 PM

I would consider them one of the better looking better performing cars for the money with a huge affordable aftermarket. But if all you care about is performance there are cheaper faster alternatives. You can drop a high HP crate engine into any old shitbox.

**CamaroFan71** · 03-13-2008, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by ss~zoso~ss

oohhh I would say that it is, 6 bolt main, light weight engine, compatible with MANY other GM engines and parts, the list goes on and on

I agree. And unlike Fords, they dont need to be charged to make decent power.

**0rion** · 03-13-2008, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by Firebirdjones

Well I'm old school, but I like the LS series of motors. Here is why I think they have a disadvantage as compared to the original GEN 1 small block.

The biggest disadvantage these motors have right now is that they are still in their infancy. They are being improved upon every year. Part interchangability is changing, not everything is a simple swap over or bolt on.

Thats where the LS series engines suffer. They just haven't been around long enough to become as user friendly yet. I say YET. Eventually they will, and the aftermarket is strong.

One of the other big problems with LS motors is PRICE$$$$$
Again, the LS motors have not been around long enough to make them economical or affordable. Aftermarket parts are still plenty expensive. They still are not the first choice for engine swaps on street rods and such.

You have to figure the GEN 1 small block has the advantage here simply because it's been around for more than 50 years.
For 50 years the design went virtually unchanged. Swappability is practically endless,,,,boneyards are flooded with the original small block chevys making prices next to nothing, shucks you can find people giving away gen 1 small blocks all the time. They are everywhere,,,,cheap and easy to find.
It has been the #1 choice for hotrodders world wide for decades.
It makes sense, they are plentiful, cheap, and proven to be durable.

As far as HP per dollar, well that is another discussion all together that would take a book.

But as far as I'm concerned, when it comes to pricing, availability, interchangability,,,,,,,the LS motor needs to be around another 30 years,,,,then it would be a contender for a good starting platform.

There ya go,,,a different point of view for you guys to chew on.

you old farts and your carburetors.

I think if you get past the electronics side of the engine it would be tough to beat the LS1 pound for pound. The gen 1's have been around 50 years so that's a pretty big head start. Look at what the LSx engines have done in 10. Think what they'll be doing 10 more from now. The lsx block is light, 6 bolt mains, and a pretty rock solid bottom end. The LS1 heads are light years ahead of the gen 1's right out of the box stock for stock. I'm by far not a engine historian and I sure don't have the experience with gen 1 engines like some of you guys do so this is 100% opinion. I just think the lsx is probably the best small block ever invented once you get past the electrical side of it. I see in the future that the plug and play transplants will come a long way and you'll see a bunch of lsx engines being dropped into stuff.
The gen 1's have their history and it's a good one. I just think they've had 50 years to iron out all of the stuff the lsx is going through now but once you get them in place I think the lsx has the advantage. How many gen 1's are out there making big HP and then driving the car home with the a/c on?

Not that there aren't but it's easier to do on a fuel injected car. Just my 2 cents.