Whelp, I certainly don't want to be the bearer of bad news, but my boy has an LS1 in his C-5 Vette. It's beefed up and has a 500 shot multistage nitrous set up on it. He is not too hot out of the hole with the stock vette suspension, but is is still purty darn quick. I hate to say it, but he has run the snot out ouf that motor.
I actually look for this thread to become quite popular once the word gets out. We just need to find a few LS guru's to help it out.
I have seen the LS motors handle a lot of power ie. nitrous, turbos and prochargers making well over 1000 hp. Not to bad for a small block.
As far as working on them, its not too bad once you have been through one of them once or twice. The 6 bolt main caps on the ls motors are a tad bit stronger than conventional 4 bolt main SBC's.
Can't punch these blocks out .060 over. These bolcks are not designed to be bored out at all.
We disassembled the top end of my boys Ls 1 put on a new oil pump, timing chain and gears, LS6 heads, new cam etc. Took about 12 hours from start to finish. but aftermarket parts like the oil pump do not bolt right on. It takes a little milling on the pump and timing cover to make everything fit on some applications.
The head design isn't to bad either. We did quite a bit of test porting and flow checking. Word to the wise, DO NOT REMOVE ANY MATERIAL FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE RUNNER, """YOU WILL LOSE FLOW"""
Removing material and polishing in the upper portion of the runner and down the sides mid way increase your flow considerably.
I am with you on this one tod74.........
I myself must admit, I have had my share of 500+ and 600+ cubic inch motors and I have came to the conclusion that if the motor is not over 500 CID it is not going in my car....................
Small Block Guys are always bragging about how they spin their small blocks to 8 grand, Well I spin my BBC to 8 grand, You don't see me braggin, Well. maybe a little.
All this talk about BBC vs. SBC vs. LS MOTORS, HP capability and engine reving is starting to boil the blood. Its' time to have another fun day tinkering around.