LS6 or small block?

[ikom]

Hi,

New member - new topic

I am in the process of deciding whether I should use a LS6 engine (used) or just build a small block chev for a project car. My parameters are as follows:

Max RPM 6000 (6200 preferred)
Horsepower at flywheel 450
my gear ratios are:
1st 3.82
2nd 2.048
3rd 1.407
4th 1.118
5th 0.928
6th 0.775
final drive 3,444

The specific question:

Is the LS6 capable of some easy (read cheap) mods to gain an extra 50 or so horsepower. (i.e. intake, cam or slight porting)?

Thanks.

BTW, I have not worked on chev small blocks for the past 15 or so years - so I will be on a very steep re-learning curve.

 

[Edmond]

The LS6 is a small block. What makes the LS6 so potent isn't just the motor, but also the design of the Z06 itself.

I think that you would save some considerable money going with the regular old 1st generation small block. It's so tried and true and so many parts are available for it. Not that there aren't a lot of parts for the LS motors...

Good luck.

 

[JBsC5]

The LS6 is a small block. What makes the LS6 so potent isn't just the motor, but also the design of the Z06 itself.

I think that you would save some considerable money going with the regular old 1st generation small block. It's so tried and true and so many parts are available for it. Not that there aren't a lot of parts for the LS motors...

Good luck.

I agree ..pass on the LS6 motor..

 

[ikom]

The LS6 is a small block. What makes the LS6 so potent isn't just the motor, but also the design of the Z06 itself.

I think that you would save some considerable money going with the regular old 1st generation small block. It's so tried and true and so many parts are available for it. Not that there aren't a lot of parts for the LS motors...

Good luck.

Hi,

Thanks for the heads up. You are very correct on the price per horsepower qoutient as well as the "tried and true, tested, durability and longevity" of the first generation small blocks.

It is always alluring to look at the newest technologies though, but 450HP from a first gen CSB is very easy to get.

 

[Edmond]

I'm going to guess and say that when the C6 Corvette is introduced next year, the prices of C5's and their respective parts and accessories will go down. Maybe not by a lot, but they'll go down.

Maybe then, I will put money into the current LS1/6 technology. But as of now, I couldn't imagine spending that kind of money.

 

[redvett]

You didnt say what your going to put the engine in but if the car has a old small block go with the small block like an L98. The LS1 &6 small block will not fit in the previous place where the old small block fit. Much cutting & welding will be needed to rework the motor mounts since they sit different in the cars.

 

[ikom]

You didnt say what your going to put the engine in but if the car has a old small block go with the small block like an L98. The LS1 &6 small block will not fit in the previous place where the old small block fit. Much cutting & welding will be needed to rework the motor mounts since they sit different in the cars.

I will be using it in an ULTIMA GTR which is designed to use either the first gen small block or the LS1/LS6 for emmissions compliance where required. I am fortunate in not having these restrictions in my Province hence the flexibility in engine choice.

ULTIMA GTR

 

[leaftye]

Since you're building an Ultima GTR, a car that I really REALLY like, I would recommend an LS6. You can tune the LS6 so that it still passes a smog test without catalytic converters. You really only have the choice of cats or mufflers or turbo's, but I haven't heard of anyone using mufflers and cats. Also, the Ultima GTR is a flyweight car, and the LS6 is a flyweight V8. Use a standalone engine management system like FAST or ACCEL. With that tuning software, and good headers (like you have a big selection...), you should be able to get 450 crank hp. If you do almost any single bolt-on, you'll be there easily. The right engine should be obvious.

I've seen used LS6's for well under 4 grand. I think I've seen 2 grand before...I know I've seen it for the LS1.

 

[ikom]

Since you're building an Ultima GTR, a car that I really REALLY like, I would recommend an LS6. You can tune the LS6 so that it still passes a smog test without catalytic converters. You really only have the choice of cats or mufflers or turbo's, but I haven't heard of anyone using mufflers and cats. Also, the Ultima GTR is a flyweight car, and the LS6 is a flyweight V8. Use a standalone engine management system like FAST or ACCEL. With that tuning software, and good headers (like you have a big selection...), you should be able to get 450 crank hp. If you do almost any single bolt-on, you'll be there easily. The right engine should be obvious.

I've seen used LS6's for well under 4 grand. I think I've seen 2 grand before...I know I've seen it for the LS1.

Thanks - I am leaning towards the LS6 - but I also have a seasoned four bolt main that I bored and honed myself about ten years ago (30 over) and I also have full 383 stroker rotating parts (all good stuff) - like forged crank,pistons,rods, AFR heads etc. This would easily give me 500+HP. The ULTIMA is good for 3.2sec zero to sixty with about 465HP with a 900Kilogram weight - the one luxury I have is time, because the build will only be completed around August 2004 so I can mull this decision over between now and fall 2004.

Any and all opinions are therefore very welcome.

 

[leaftye]

With upgraded valve springs, you should be able to push that LS6 to a 7000 redline, maybe more. That flyweight car is like the sportbike of sportcars, and having a high redline makes the similarity even better. If you plan race, the high redline is better. With the tuning you can do on the LS6, you'll get a good idle, tractible low end power, and a screaming high end...you get it all. I haven't heard the same for any older engine, especially the LT1's.

 

[leaftye]

This is being discussed elsewhere as well.The "other" forum!

 

[ikom]

This is being discussed elsewhere as well.The "other" forum!

Thanks for the link - I too thought long and hard about other cars before I plunged into ULTIMA ownership (in boxes in my garage at this point) and came to the conclusion that this would be the "best bang for the buck" car.

I have been a Porsche owner from the mid eighties (no flames please) and was into small block chevs before that.

Where else can you buy a car capable of staying with the Enzo, Zonda, Carrera GT or the McLaren F1 for well under $80K US?

Coming back to the topic at hand - the LS6 is indeed a very good choice - especially when mated to the Porsche G50/20 tranny.