chevy crate engine vs. LS1

[briann510]

I can get a 350/350 aluminum headed crate engine from my dealer out the door for $3200. all i have to do is add the carb and headers.

 

LS1's are more expensive than this i have seen with all the computer boxes etc.

 

what would be the pro's and cons on either engine in my 240z? the LS1 in my mind would be alot harder to hook all the stuff up and get it running right, when the crate engine is pretty much a drop in and start it up.

 

Thanks

[Mikelly]

Well I've got a 383 stroker sitting on the stand right now, ready to go into the Z, and it is FI with the aid of the Holley System commander port injection setup. I've also been building an LS1 for my Corvette. As far as building them from scratch, I'll have about the same amount in the LS1 motor as I have in the SBC 383. The estimate on the 383s power has been about 530 BHP, and the LS1 will make about 510 BHP according to a couple of different computer package guestimizers. The added benefit of the LS1 is a tremendous amount of weight loss... The block weighs over 80 pounds less than the traditional steel block.

 

My personal opinion is that the support from the aftermarket for the LS1 is growing DAILY and will only continue to increase. In my opinion, the LS1 platform is the current generation of the most popularly swapped SBC around... If makes excellent HP with minor changes. It responds very well to cam, heads, and headers, as long as you can tune the computer. In the Zcar, this motor will be a tremendous advantage over the traditional SBC. The lighter weight will help out, and the motors size is smaller as well, making it able to get it lower in the engine bay. THe lack of distributor in the setup helps with moving the motor back further, which will aid in a better weight balance, and will carry that weight lower in the chassis to help with PMI.

 

From a cost standpoint, I look at it the same as I would turboing vs supercharging... The initial expense of the turbo will be higher, but more flexible, more stable on the drivetrain, and produce better power across the board in the long run than the Supercharger.

 

And My current LS1 will be available reasonably cheap (compared to those on the market!) very soon!

Mike

[Kevin Shasteen]

Another point in favor of FI over Carb is the fact that the FI system maintains as close as possible a 14.7:1 Air/Fuel Ratio: remapping the ECM not withstanding.

 

The fact the FI system can do this whereas a Carb'd engine cant will ensure the cylinders are not fuel washed. Keeping the cylinders free of a richer fuel mixture, which carbs cant do, allows for cleaner oil over a longer period of time...and this leads to less wear-n-tear on all oil splashed/washed components as well as longer lasting spark plugs and this equates to a happier engine all around.

 

Carb's are simple and equally as fun, just not as efficient if fuel mileage and longevity is an issue. Also, if you plan on taking a trip to higher elevations then a Carb'd engine will have a harder time adjusting to changes in elevation whereas the FI system will adapt.

 

Kevin,

(Yea,Still an Inliner)

[DaleMX]

Actually the LS1 runs in open loop at full throttle allowing it to run around 13:1 or so for more power. Then during low rpm cruise it will lean it out to above 15:1 for fuel economy. You can program the computer on the LS1 to do just about anything you want. That's a big advantage over a carb. It uses MAP and MAF for spark advance and A/F. Older FI setups used one or the other, but with the advent of the LS1 they were combined. 2001 and newer LS1's have no EGR. It just keeps getting better.

 

Dale