What makes an LS better than a small block?

[pontiacgp]

Lets define an "LS" as Gen 3 and 4 GM car and truck engines for simplicity haha. Pretty much all V8's 1997ish on up.

Honestly I am not trying to get super technical. Pretty much, what makes new designs better than the old? If it aint broken, don't fix it, ya know? So my question is: whats broken about Gen I Chevy 350

I'm not trying to get technical, the way I see it is GM had a good thing going with the LS series car engines and used the LS badge to make people think they were getting something extra in the trucks. As far as new is better sometimes it is and sometimes it's not. The Gen 1 engines are cheap and easy to fix.

 

[L67ss]

I personally won't own an Ls based engine

 

[Blue78]

My car is a sbc and I love it. With a 2004-r and 342's i got almost 14mpg highway with an 850 double pumper and a heavy foot. Both are good motors, but with less technical know how a 350 might be a better option. Also, a 5.3 or 4.8 are not direct bolt ins, so while it may be cheaper to source the engine (depending on where you are from) that doesn't mean it'll be cheaper overall.

 

[Clone TIE Pilot]

LS engines have advantages and disadvantages to gen 1s. People rarely talk about or ignore some of the problems LS engines have but are quick to point out issues in old gen motors. The LS series was originally designed to rev to 5,800. While the heads can support speeds above that, the oiling system can't. The deep skirt blocks while stronger also suffer worse oil control and windage. This worse windage is also while LS pcv systems suck so much oil. The crank driven oil pump is also less than ideal as twice the revs increases cavitation in the oil as well as worse internal leakage. The semi dry sump oil system the LS7 uses is a bandaid for these issues. The gen 5 LT1s solve many of these issues.

Also aluminum LS blocks have thinwall cast in cylinder sleeves that can only be rebored .010. This is why you have to be careful about used aluminum blocks. The only legal LS swap is the Erod kit. Normal production LS engines have enhanced evap systems that do not work with old car gas tanks. Lastly many younger people are clueless working on carbs and distributors and quick to call them junk.

Advantages LS engines have are more advanced heads, reverse flow coolant, higher CR, EFI, and DIS. Though some LS parts like valve spring and roller lifter retainers can be used on Gen 1s. Plus there are EFI and DIS kits for Gen1s.

 

[LukeZ]

I understand the whole "A Gen I chevy is simple and cheap" deal. That can be argued against, though. Anyone checked out Chevrolet Perormamce in awhile?
http://m.chevrolet.com/performance/crate-engines.html#.WJ0Agjw8KEc
Look at some of the engines under the "small block" tab. I wouldn't call that cheap. Granted, an LS isn't exactly free either. They apparently can be cheap too though, i.e. my buddy's $600 running, complete 5.3.

And yes, I get that a newer engine would not be a direct bolt in, and would involve more electroics and such. I was really just hoping to know what an LS does that can't be done with a classic small block that makes them more powerful and fuel efficient.

 

[LukeZ]

LS engines have advantages and disadvantages to gen 1s. People rarely talk about or ignore some of the problems LS engines have but are quick to point out issues in old gen motors. The LS series was originally designed to rev to 5,800. While the heads can support speeds above that, the oiling system can't. The deep skirt blocks while stronger also suffer worse oil control and windage. This worse windage is also while LS pcv systems suck so much oil. The crank driven oil pump is also less than ideal as twice the revs increases cavitation in the oil as well as worse internal leakage. The semi dry sump oil system the LS7 uses is a bandaid for these issues. The gen 5 LT1s solve many of these issues.

Also aluminum LS blocks have thinwall cast in cylinder sleeves that can only be rebored .010. This is why you have to be careful about used aluminum blocks. The only legal LS swap is the Erod kit. Normal production LS engines have enhanced evap systems that do not work with old car gas tanks. Lastly many younger people are clueless working on carbs and distributors and quick to call them junk.

Thank you for an informed answer

 

[pontiacgp]

I understand the whole "A Gen I chevy is simple and cheap" deal. That can be argued against, though. Anyone checked out Chevrolet Perormamce in awhile?
http://m.chevrolet.com/performance/crate-engines.html#.WJ0Agjw8KEc
Look at some of the engines under the "small block" tab. I wouldn't call that cheap. Granted, an LS isn't exactly free either. They apparently can be cheap too though, i.e. my buddy's $600 running, complete 5.3.

And yes, I get that a newer engine would not be a direct bolt in, and would involve more electroics and such. I was really just hoping to know what an LS does that can't be done with a classic small block that makes them more powerful and fuel efficient.

what are you planning to use the car for?

 

[Ve8r]

I don't hardly ever post here, but I'm going to add my two cents to the argument.
Both Engines ( not motors....sorry motors are electric) are great in their own right.
My Oldsmobile has had a few different engines in it, and currently has a SBC in it.
Just take a look at what a set of quality high performance heads run for a SBC. Also consider what it costs to convert it to a hydraulic roller cam (machining/ specialized parts...etc). Add to this most were not 4 bolt main blocks, but came with two bolt mains. Add a true multi port fuel injection kit to a SBC.

What it all boils down to is that the LS series engines come with a lot of go fast goodies from the factory. To bring a SBC to a equal level you are talking some serious money.
Even if you chose to run a carb on a LS, I feel it still offers more bang for the buck these days.

If there is another engine that ever goes in my Oldsmobile it will be a LS.

 

[Streetbu]

First reason are cross bolted main bearing caps. That's one of the reasons you can pull apart a 200k mile used LS motor and the bearings look like new. Second is air flow. Plain Jane truck LS motor cylinder heads flow more air than many aftermarket SBC race heads. Then you can get into the LS7 or aftermarket heads and flow ridiculous numbers. The basic architecture of the engine was well thought with strength and adaptability in mind. Hence, just like the SBC, why they same basic engines are used in everything from pickups to Corvettes.

 

[LukeZ]

what are you planning to use the car for?

Daily driving