TonyG

Ok...

Well... I finally did it. I killed my LS1 engine.

Did the LS1 conversion in 1996. Bought a junk yard SS Camaro engine, slapped in a cam and valve spring/retainer package, tuned it, and raced the hell out of it for over 4 years. 390RWHP on 91 pump gas.

At a race last weekend at California Speedway... doing great and the engine lost power on the final race on Sunday.

Hey... what can I say. It only took me 4 years to kill it.

Anyway.. the engine started smoking, lost power, looked down and the oil pressure was at 1 bar, and there was no power. So I pulled off the track.


So the engine is dead.


Looking around it seems that you can find LS1 long blocks for $1500 all day long.


I'm torn between putting in another LS1 (390RWHP with the cam package I have) at $1500 plus labor, or stepping it up and going to a LS3 for even more power.

Then I'm thinking that maybe this is a good time to get out and move up a notch in terms of race car performance (we're talking cup car...).


I'm thinking this car would be a GREAT deal for $15k as-is. With the conversion done, the installation of another LSx engine is a simple deal.

God knows the car is fully sorted on the track (just ran an official 1:49.6 at California Speedway Roval on R compound tires!.... that's a very fast lap time on R compound tires).

Thoughts?


TonyG

mikey_audiogeek

Very tempting. Sorry to hear about your "tuner melt".

400hp944

1:49 is a smok'n time. I saw you on the track this weekend but didn't know you had a meltdown. I'm running a red turbo S in the time trial group on street tires and stock suspension. 2:04 was my best Lots of work to do...

Scott H

Put a crate LS3 in it and then don't worry about the drivetrain for another 10+ years.

Fishey

Tear it down and see what broke?

slap929

That sucks... Sounds from previous post that you much prefer the LSx to the 951 or 968 engines. Get the LS3 and go back to the track.

docwyte

Bummer Tony! Your car has been an inspiration for me and your advice has been invaluable as you're one of the few guys tracking a hybrid 951.

Your course of action is dependent on a few things...

Do you really like the car? Are you still having fun with it or are you bored and ready for a change?

If you still enjoy the car, fixing it with an LS1 will be the cheapest way to go. If you want more power and can do it without getting bumped into a class where you won't be competitive, dropping in an LS3 (go LS6!) will be fun and not that expensive.

gpr8er

Let me know what you want for the toasted motor, I'm local and a friend may is contemplating doing a V8 in his 968

toddk911

LS1 with rear mount twin turbo.

LS1Porch

It's just a question of whether you'd like more power or not. An LS3 with a mild cam will probably put you at the 450hp mark. Of course, an LS1 is also capable of those kinds of power levels with some decent heads (so you could have your LS1 rebuilt, slap some good heads on it, and go racing again).

Good luck whatever you decide!

86 951 Driver

Go with a LS2 with a cam. Bam.

Fishey

LS3 is a much much much improved engine over the LS1. That being said LS1 is a ton cheaper.

minho78

Tony you should drop a LS9 and there would be no need for changing the heads.

LS1Porch

Have not really seen/heard good things about the LS2's. Lots of them with piston slap, and too many people i've known that have just had a rod fall out of the block for no good reason. I think GM's quality control went in the crapper for a few years, lol.

Anyways, that's why i went LS1 instead of LS2 (the LS2's aren't really a whole lot more). LS3,7,9 would be awesome though

86 951 Driver

LS1's were known for piston slap. Look at any of them made in 98-99 a good amount of them had this problem along with a few others. LS3 would be nice since you can buy a crate motor and have like 400 HP on tap.