Ls1 or Ls2 motor to use for syty conversion?

[sy445]

Im starting to collect parts so I can shoehorn an Ls? series motor in my sy. Other than the slightly larger bore size of the ls2 is there any reason to use an Ls2 over an Ls1? Is one easier to use in a sy conversion than the other?
The reason I ask is because ls1 donor engines & parts seem to be cheaper to get.

Either one I choose will be getting a stroker forged rotating assembly.

it seems cheaper to get my hands on an Ls1 engine than the Ls2.
Does anyone who has experience or knowledge of these motors agree or disagree? Have any advise?

 

[Foot Performance]

Re: Ls1 or Ls2 motor to use for syty conversion?

I would go LS1 but I would buy a 6.0L to start but the LS2 stuff has relocated knock sensors and more than likely will have the boses for the lifter selenoids. :2cents:
.

 

[George Blake]

Re: Ls1 or Ls2 motor to use for syty conversion?

My Ty's engine is shaking BAD now. I got a little too hard on it after the 80e. I think I finished it off. Let me know what you end up doing. I may look at this in the future.

 

[sy445]

Re: Ls1 or Ls2 motor to use for syty conversion?

An ls2 6.0 block will work with everything from an ls1 right?

 

[jpalmer]

Re: Ls1 or Ls2 motor to use for syty conversion?

well do you want an aluminum block or cast iron(cost is very different) you can pick up 6.0s for $1000 to 4500 so depends on your cashflow. not too much weight difference but major $$$ so ls1 are cheaper but have less power but you can pick up an LQ9 out of a escalade or ss pickup for as little as 1000 you just have to look alot ls2s are more money let us know what you can afford

 

[sy445]

Re: Ls1 or Ls2 motor to use for syty conversion?

Id like to go with an aluminum block for the weight savings. Im not on a strict budget but id like to keep the cost as low as possible. I'll be building it myself and using stock heads. Its going to be a stroker either way so the bore size of the 6.0 would be nice, though I dont want to shell out another $1000 - $2000 for it over the 5.7 unless there are other really good advantages. I could put the xtra money towards the exhaust plumbing since ill be using a turbo and we all know how much thats gonna cost

 

[MIGHTYMOUSE]

Re: Ls1 or Ls2 motor to use for syty conversion?

the 5.7 ls1 block is aluminum and the 'weakest' offering, also the cheapest (this is what i am doing)
i have made 800 to the tires reliably with this block

the 6.0 lq9 block is iron but shares basically the same geometry as the 5.7 block other than the bore (i used one of these in my car for a couple seasons but traded up to ls2 to save the 80some #)

the 6.0 ls2 block is stronger than the ls1 block and some say as strong as the lq9 iron block (this is what i have in my car now and held around 1000rwhp last season)

for the car right now i am getting the ls2 block modified with a dry sleeve and adding 2 more head bolts per cylinder... not cheap. but far lighter than the new iron LSX blocks.

90% of the problem is head stability where they literally pick up off the block between the bolts, and on the ls1 blocks you can get into breaking the cylinder liner free from the aluminum cast around it.

the 6 bolt mains stock generally do a good job w/ aftermerket caps and the stock cranks are very reliable.

 

[MIGHTYMOUSE]

Re: Ls1 or Ls2 motor to use for syty conversion?

oops i forgot to add that fyi the ls2 has the cam sensor in the front cover as opposed to where the distributor would be on a SBC on an ls1.

and like said if you use them.. the ls1's knock sensors are under the valley cover in the V, the ls2 just has you mount them to the outside of the engine behind the motor mounts.

rear cover and oil pan are the same for all of the above

 

[super-gt]

Re: Ls1 or Ls2 motor to use for syty conversion?

Id like to go with an aluminum block for the weight savings. Im not on a strict budget but id like to keep the cost as low as possible. I'll be building it myself and using stock heads. Its going to be a stroker either way so the bore size of the 6.0 would be nice, though I dont want to shell out another $1000 - $2000 for it over the 5.7 unless there are other really good advantages. I could put the xtra money towards the exhaust plumbing since ill be using a turbo and we all know how much thats gonna cost

Since you are going with forced induction, I wouldn't really be thinking in terms of deciding between the 5.7 and the 6.0. I'd be making a decision based on which one is cheaper because lets face it either one will provide you with plenty of hp. Any power goals you are shooting for?

 

[super-gt]

Re: Ls1 or Ls2 motor to use for syty conversion?

oops i forgot to add that fyi the ls2 has the cam sensor in the front cover as opposed to where the distributor would be on a SBC on an ls1.

and like said if you use them.. the ls1's knock sensors are under the valley cover in the V, the ls2 just has you mount them to the outside of the engine behind the motor mounts.

rear cover and oil pan are the same for all of the above

Oh interesting, didn't know you had a TY Mightmouse.

I've seen ya around on LS1tech but just figured you were an F-bod guy. learn somethin new all the time I spose :tup:

 

[sparkwire]

Re: Ls1 or Ls2 motor to use for syty conversion?

I do belive this is catching on,where's TYDRIVER

 

[Aeroking]

Re: Ls1 or Ls2 motor to use for syty conversion?

I've had both, alot bigger aftermarket for the LS1, not saying theres not a big market for the 6.0s. LQx iron blocks, are plentiful, and CHEAP. LS2s on the other hand, will cost alot more. LS1s seem to be a dime a dozen now, but still a solid platform.

I'd go LQ9, stronger block, cheaper, easier to find one (geez they made millions of 6.0L trucks). And you can bold up LS2 addons to it, and bore for a 408. FI 408s, make some serious HP.

Or if you wanna be really cutting edge, grab a 6.2L outta an Escalade, and slap a turbo on it.

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

EDIT: scratch that, LQ9s came in the Silvy SSs, and Escalades (V-Max). The "LQ4" came in the millions of fullsize trucks, my bad. Still, LS2, LQ4 & LQ9 all use same boltons

 

[sy445]

Re: Ls1 or Ls2 motor to use for syty conversion?

the 6.0 ls2 block is stronger than the ls1 block and some say as strong as the lq9 iron block (this is what i have in my car now and held around 1000rwhp last season)

Is the ls1 cylinder head/ block deck surface area stong enough for 750-850 horsepower including 20lbs of boost?

 

[MIGHTYMOUSE]

Re: Ls1 or Ls2 motor to use for syty conversion?

it would only take that much boost if you were running an ls1 intake and a stock cam, but in general yes it will hold. i would not consider it reliable on pump gas by any means.

 

[2kwik4u]

Re: Ls1 or Ls2 motor to use for syty conversion?

I do belive this is catching on,where's TYDRIVER

I Talk to him 2-3 times a week. I'll tell him to head over here and check on this thread next chance I get.

He's currently fighting a possibly terminal lack of motivation on his truck. Not sure where he'll end up!

 

[sy445]

Re: Ls1 or Ls2 motor to use for syty conversion?

it would only take that much boost if you were running an ls1 intake and a stock cam, but in general yes it will hold. i would not consider it reliable on pump gas by any means.

yea, i just threw out 20lbs as a gauge. Id like to keep it around 15-17lbs w pump gas. my goal is to keep it street oriented. no crazy spring tension that requires alot of money, no extra expense of race gas or alky. Just plain old 93 octane and 800 horses on a daily/weekend driver that can net some street race money. I cant see much competition out there for an awd turbo ls1 under 3500lbs.

Anyone know which front accessories work best in our trucks? no ac. from a vette? a camaro? gto?

 

[MIGHTYMOUSE]

Re: Ls1 or Ls2 motor to use for syty conversion?

no a/c vette alt and ps and bracket

i am also using an ls1 water pump to get it further away from the electric fans

you will have to up the cid to make 800on pump gas which would futher weaken the block, at that point i would do an lq9 but then you are getting heavier.