Poll: More LSx Articles or Not?
 

To Everyone:

SBC's and BBC's have been around for roughly 50 and 40 years respectively, and frankly coverage on them is so heavy, every issue is just a variation of the previous months write ups on the SCB and the BBC. I think it's time to focus on the future of the Hot Rodding which is the Gen III and the Gen IV Engine Technology.

The new LS Technology IS the power plant of the future, and they are becoming dirt cheap to buy out of wrecked cars, plus they make a lot of easy power.

I personally would like to see a lot more magazine space talking about, Testing, Upgrading, Hopping up, Different Combinations of Parts that Work etc. etc. of the LS series of engines.

After Voting, please write about why you voted the way you did, so some additional depth can be learn about your decision.

Thanks,

Ty O'Neal

BTW: To the, "Keepers of the Flame", I really appreciate you taking the time to keep this site up and current, and give a us a great place to interact with other Car Geeks.

Even though I am a big block guy I agree. How many times can you do an article on a big block stroker. Three months in a row for one magazine I get. It's got to be tough to come up with new materials for these magazines every month.

I agree that this is going to be the next "thing" but the key word is next. I voted for them to have the same amount of press. Once they are the "thing" then they should have most all of the press.

I did not put a LSAnything in my car because I still feel that they are a current motor and that would make my car look current which is not what i wanted.

Remember that the LS line gets more press then any other current motor, even the hyped Hemi...

I think that most people have computers and internet but we need to remember how good many of us have it, to many of us LS are a good deal, but when you can put together a running SBC for $1K, thats a deal...

Also its the amount of aftermarket parts that are around...

I voted for more LSx coverage. I see some, but not enough to keep me away from some other LSx sites. Not that you guys don't know, it's just that it feels aquard asking a late model question to (mostly) early model engine guys.

I have an LS1 in my 69 Camaro and it still isin't on the road yet, so theres no telling what kinda questions I could ask in the near future.

MY opinion about LSx powered cars......

~1. Lotsa power from a stock motor with the benefit of an all lightweight alluminum design.

~2. Extreme reliability

~3. Extremely fuel efficient.......have you looked at the price of gas lately? Yeah....thats what I thought.:lol:

~4......but not least, how cool would it be to point a keyfob at your car and start it from inside the house? You can't do this with a carbed car.

Joe

While LSx's are popular here, we my friends are not the masses....there are way more people running SBC BBC than there are LSx stuff. The mags have to cater to the masses...

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Hi:

Thanks for chiming. I do realize that sbc's are still really inexpensive to build, however MOST of the sbc builds I see in the magazines brag about being less than $3000 or $3500 or $4000. (Many 383 builds) None that I have seen lately are anywhere near $1000, or less than $2000. Now if the writers did do some articles on sbc's in the $1000 range, I would like to read them, because that would truly be at least something different.

As far as BBC's are concerned they are never if rarely ever under $2000 unless you have you got some super special deal or something, most are $4000 and up.

When you can buy a LS1 out of corvette for $3000- $4000 and have the computer and front drive accessories etc., It's hard to see very many decent sbc's that are much if any cheaper than that.

As far as the LS engines being the, "Next", thing, well they have already been around 10 years in a number of different variations and in all vehicles from trucks to sports cars. (If a V8 engine)

Some hot supercharged or turbocharged V6's in some PT rides would be an interesting excursion. Since you only need 350-500 RWHP to have a Hot Road Race Car, V6's might be an interesting exercise.

If GM every put out a V6 with the LS technology, (Which I can't help but think that will happen someday) you could have a really light engine, make gobs of power and have a good part of a killer road handling ride.

I guess in Hot Rod, Super Chevy, CHP, Car Craft etc. I'm VERY HUNGRY for 10 years old and newer engines. Even right ups about the new hemi's and fords are fine. Just something newer. When I got my license 30 years ago in 1978 the sbc was a 20 years old engine. At that time almost no writers in the more modern magazines (Same ones we read today) were writing about hot rodding the Flat head's of the 50's. They were writing about current technology

Please don't take my wrong, I promise I'm not trying to give you a hard time, or do away with write ups on the sbc, I just REALLY want to see some major print space going for the engines of the last 10 years.

Please respond if I have made any gross errors on my part, I certainly don't want to try and make a point with poor information, or ruin any of the fun you have reading the magazines.

I really do understand you wanting to do a period correct engine build, and I would also like to see some of those as well, especially if they did something different, like 350 Pontiac, or a 425 Nailhead or even a Hot Rod Flathead occasionally would be interesting. Heck I have a 425 Nailhead and I don't know enough about it to tell you what the, "Nailhead", even means.

The actually difference between the 455 Olds, Buick and Pontiac and the Pros and Cons of each would be interesting.

How about an article on Diesel Racing Technology for a modern Hot Rod?

How about when you would use a cast crank vs a forged crank vs a billet crank. How they are different and when you would want to use each of them?

The list could go on and on, but a lot more LS information, combinations, new products, new uses for old products, anything, just help us exercise our Brains a little more.

Anyway enough of me. Sorry for rambling.

Ty

Lots of LSx info and tech features in GM hitech performance mag :thumbsup:

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...les/index.html

Articles are good but you need interaction to really
 

get the info you need. Hence why we come to this site. When I was researching a motor for my car and trying to decide on a combination, I spent untold hours on www.ls1tech.com

I try to stay away from the site now, because after 5 minutes there I am ready for my next LS motor build.

I am sure there are more shops out there than the ones that I am going to list, but Wheel to Wheel, LME or Katech seem to have the rep and know what is going on because they have tried it or are in the process.

If you are serious about a build, I would call one of these guys and tell them what you are trying to accomplish.

Im only interested in the LS motor becasue of my truck. I like to read about these motors because there a damn marvel. I would like to see some articles on them. I would like to also see articles on more Race oriented engines too.

More!

steve- i love the LX articles, especially like the install stuff you did on yours, low buck stuff is the masses, maybe something along the lines of the fox body swap you did, only in a gm platform, total wrecking yard stuff..

by the way guys will a 6.0 and T-56 bolt together? Chris

I voted for more, but I think Travis summed it up. There are way more SBC & BBC.

I am the first to admit I don't really know much about these even though I now own three LSX pwered cars: 2500 HD Truck with 6.0 Iron, Chevelle 6.2 LS3 (not moving yet) and we just bought my wife a new Yukon XL Denali with the 6.2 L92. For info on my Chevelle conversion I have searched here and other boards. I would also say that some of the Vendors I have procured parts from are a big help. The two that come to mind are ATS and Speartech. 3 months ago if you would of asked me what a MAF is, I would have not known. I think even the basics would be good for guy's like me of whom have spent their "Hot Rod" years with carbs. I don't mean to make myself look like an idiot, but there are many things to learn and I am late to the party. I grew up with a father that had Hot Rod's etc when I was born, but at 37 years old I am still EFI challenged. So in summary I hope to see more data coming. As for now I will learn by doing it and maybe spending a few extra dollars for the lesson.

More. More. More. More. More. More. More. More. More. More. More. More.

Nothing against Small Block Chevys and Big Block Chevys but when it comes to modifying them....what else is there to say that hasn't already been said? The engines have been around since the late Cretaceous Period. The blueprint and logistics of those engines are almost engrained in the human DNA. Hell the first words out my kid's mouth were 18436572. It's ridiculous.

Gimmie more LSX.

LMAO.........:rofl:

IN PHR

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I was hoping that if a number of the people wanted to read more about the LSx Engines, the Monthly Magazine Publishers and Writers would, "Take Notice", that people who PAY money for the Magazines would like more articles in this area, instead of having to go to the FREE INTERNET sites to get it.

I know the sampling size, (at least so far) is ridiculously small, however so far almost 60% are saying that more LSx information would be welcome.

Now the other 40% certainly doesn't want to be left out and I don't blame them at all, but there are 60 years of sbc Research and Development articles already written, and I'm not sure the sbc has near the, "New Undiscovered", horsepower potential that the LS Engine TEchnology has.

This New Territory (at least for me) is what is worth paying the $$$ for.

No one wants to pay money for a two week old Wall Street Journal.

That may be just me, but that is why I thought this Poll and feedback might be really interesting.

If I'm off track, sock it to me.

Most people on this site seem to be pretty serious about their cars.

Ty

I want more lsx stuff too. But I have noticed that when the mags do lsx stuff, they are 6months behind the info on sites like ls1tech.com. another point that I dont think has been brough up is that most lsx guys are computer savvy and find there info on the net. where more of the old school guys that dont even want to think about efi, you know that "black magic" are waiting for the next mag to come out so they can read about the lates carb or dist. but by all means more more more lsx stuff in mags.

I'd like to see more on electronics. EFI retrofits, stuff like that.

I've owned 2 LSx vehicles, a vette and my current SS truck. Those things sho do run good!

But they ugly. With a capitol UG. They can be a lil pretty if you hide the coils and cover em with polished turbo plumbing, but a stock ignition N/A motor, you could mirror polish the whole thing and it would still be ugly.

There will never be an LSx in my early muscle.

If the LT1 in my vette ever quits tho...

To All:

Another thing I was thinking about today as to why I would really like to have more LSx Articles in the Magazines.

I spend a lot of time waiting. Waiting in the Doctors office, waiting to pick people up from the airport, waiting on people for one reason or another and NOTHING helps kill the time easier and with more fun than getting a nice new Car Magazine with a good juicy article or five in it.

Basically having something portable to read and learn from while I have a spare minute or two during the day is a really nice way to spend the time.

The internet is great but when you don't have it, the next best thing is something on paper.

It sounds like a lot of the people who are sbc and BB oriented are so because of the perceived expense or complication of the LS family.

I think it would be interesting and beneficial to have low buck builds of each, in comparison against each other. Which gives the biggest bang for the buck at a given price point. In addition, for those comfortable with the carburetor could feel comfort knowing that it's not necessary for them to jump to EFI if they chose not to.

Points to be considered between the two would include Torque and Hp, but since there is a low buck emphasis, Fuel efficiency could be brought into the equation as well as Maintenance cost etc.

It also seems many of us have a certain Hp/Torque goal in mind. I would like to see certain methods/recipes for making Hp and Torque at different levels. (350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, and over) Therefore while we are planning our build we would have an idea what it would take to get us where we would like to be power wise, what it would cost, specific issues that would need to be addressed at certain levels, and what one could expect out of a car at a certain power level. (1/4 mile Speed, Street friendliness etc)

I remember the first time I put my foot hard into the 650 Hp Engine I knew I just had to have. Well after cleaning out my drawers I realized I didn't have a good idea what I was getting into at that level. Big Power is very cool, but it can very quickly make you a possible candidate for the Darwin Award if your not reasonably careful and ready for it.

also,

Instead of having the magazine engines builds that's only goal is to show you how much power you can make for $3500, it would be nice to show you the reverse. What kind of money will it take me to get to x level of performance/power.

Further, for those of us building a drag car, Auto X, Pro Touring, Road Race, cruiser and so on, why not target builds for specific purposes based on what the people who have been there and done that would recommend. (And the reasons why they would recommend it being built a certain way) Then the neophytes like me can get a better understanding about what a specific build will require and maybe get a bit of information regarding whether or not that direction is where in the long run I would be satisfied with my car, or if I can even afford to build that type of car. It would save me of biting off more than my wallet can chew and wind up with a partially finished project I never finish?

Regarding, "Purpose built", for this type of project or that type, other aspects of building the car could be addressed. For instance, for a drag car these aspects are items that one needs to consider when building this type of car and why.

Then suspension types, weight distribution, weight transferral, tire choices, specific transmission choices, engine power requirements, and where the engine makes it's power etc.

Broadly said, it would give the reader a bigger picture of their project so smart decisions could be made earlier, so the builder wouldn't go off and spend a lot of money on things going in the wrong direction with their overall goals. Thus, of course requiring them to buy certain things over gain.

All because the picture that they needed to see at the beginning was not as clear as it should of been when they started. This would give the hobbyist a better chance of success.

In the end I think it would have a big difference in the happiness of their efforts, there would be more completed projects, and with one success it might have a big influence on whether or not they decided to try another project in the future. This would help insure that the hobby would continue to grow in popularity over the long run.

More than likely, many would chose to include a mix of a couple or several of the different types of builds. At the very least they would have an idea of what would be necessary for their cars to have the traits they want.

I know in the past, variations of this have been done from time to time, but the presentation of the material and putting the information into context for the reader would help them benefit further from reading the same article.

Now back to where I started, by teaching how the LSx can help on achieve their car building goals, I do believe the benefits of the LSx Technology would sooner or later become self evident to most readers.

Back to Darwin, through time the SBC and the BBC would go the way of the Flathead. Good in it's day but through Natural Selection has gone the way of the Do Do Bird.

Please keep in mind: Vintage racing, and original restorations not withstanding.

Anyway again, enough of my ramblings.

Take Care and thanks for reading.

Ty

Well I threw my vote in for more (like everybody else) and I agree with you Ty that it would be nice to see more (or at least equal) coverage of higher budget/higher performance projects along with budget builds. There is a lot of information, technique, and 'hardware' that can be learned or borrowed from both. Our community is fortunate that we have Tyler and ATS at our disposal with some of the best LSx products available today. I look at some of the other forums out there and read the issues that some people have with swaps and have really come to appreciate the knowledge base that we have here. And you are absolutely right, the more print that these projects and products get, the easier it will be for everyone to determine what is going to be right for them.

We are in them middle of an LS7 build with Katech right now for the '67 and we have some pretty lofty performance goals that are in sight. We are fotunate that we were able to start with a solid foundation in the form of a take-out from an '07 Z06 so costs are a bit better than starting with a crate engine, especially since the engine is getting a complete rebuild from top to bottom.

As more and more LS series car a built and continue to age, the cost for takeouts will continue to decrease and more and more hobbiests will look to adapt them to their cars. And as the performance capabilities are demonstrated electronically and in print, even the most diehard old schoolers will start to gain interest. Realistically, if someone told you 10 years ago that you could have a naturally aspired 700 hp 427" small block that runs on pump gas and gets 30 mpg you would have called for the men in the white coats. Today that is not only possible, it is being done.

Anyways, that's just my 2 bits.

I personally love the way the LSX engines look. They are more of a "function over form" design. Very mechanical looking. A nice contrast from the traditional look of a V8 engine. I like that. I think they're killer looking and even better without the goudy coil pack covers. Just my $.02.

And I'll never do another classic car without one again.

for any true gearhead ...undoubtedly the LS motors are bad ass... it doesnt matter whose colors you wear. But keep in mind on how you phrased this. " The future of hotrodding...". The LS motor is just another power plant and for everyone of us that would want to read an article on the LS motors there are others who want to read about hot rodding a nailheads, flatheads, stovebolts, W blocks, & Y blocks all the way up to big inch lincoln and caddy motors.......:cool:

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Tony:

With regards to Hot Rodding, "nailheads, flatheads, stovebolts, W blocks, & Y blocks all the way up to big inch lincoln and caddy motors", there are literally about a dozen of the, "Old Time", Rodding Magazines that regularly have write ups on these types of builds as these have been their Bread and Butter for 75 Years.

Ironically, you want to start talking real $$$$$ try buying Hot Rod parts for those. Holy Moly!!! Since many of them are not well known anymore, finding Vintage "Go Fast", parts for them is often the only source for someone.

I've been trying to buy a Factory 2X4 set up for a 65 Nail head. How about $1200-$1500 just for the intake and a couple carbs that need to be completely gone through, and this is for a 1965 Intake!

There are several you mentioned that some parts are available, but given the LSx Technology is current and lots of new parts are coming out for them, they still seem pretty under represented relatively speaking.

Sometime go to a Borders book store Magazine Rack, you'll be blown away by how many car magazines there are in print covering the older vintage stuff.

Ty

I’d like to see as many LSx articles as other the other engines. There are part advances for all the engines that should be covered.

One type of LS article that I haven’t seen is a “cheap” LS build up. Start with a Craigslist 6.0 truck short block. A back-yard hone and re-ring. Spend some money on some high-value heads and cam. Then dyno it with both the factory FI and then a carb setup.

Dyno results for FI vs. Carb are somewhat predictable but how about a real world in-car comparison between the two? I’d be curious to see fuel mileage difference between FI and a Holley.

I really like the technology and the aesthetics of the LS motors (with the coils hidden). Until recently they have seemed to be a lot more money than a Small Block build – mostly since you start with an expensive motor before you even start changing anything. Now that they are out there in vehicles I’ve seen some that are looking attractive as raw material for a cheap build-up.

My vote as well. Budget Craigslist/e-bay/swap-meet purchase build-ups & FI vs. carb comparisons.