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Is the LS any good?
Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 10:37 am
by Fast_Ed
Why yes, it is...
http://thegarage.jalopnik.com/why-the-l ... 1735165762
Lots of arguments in the comments. Also, lots of pictures of LS's next to other engines, including a mazdaspeed inline 4 (looks about the same size) and a 4.6L mod motor (looks YUUUGE!)
Re: Is the LS any good?
Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 6:01 am
by kevm14
The comments were interesting. I had seen that /DRIVE video a while back but I don't think I saw the Jalopnik post on it (and therefore the comments).
From memory, there were some tidbits:
- As the Gen V replaces Gen III/IV engines in junkyards, we may slowly depart from the LS swap generation. Someone made a comment about the LT1 not being packaging friendly and frankly I find that hard to believe. I do think I want to LS swap something (with turbo ideally) before it becomes unfavorable to do so. Hopefully that is still at least 10 years off.
- Lots of discussion on the Coyote. And Ford in general. Ironically, just about zero mention of the Hemi. The Coyote is pretty good, and isn't bad for packaging or weight, and makes good power. Though upgrades are still expensive, pretty much relying on forced induction to increase power. The LS gives you way more options. Now the thing about Ford that really struck me was they change their shit so often (sometimes even within an engine series) that the aftermarket cannot standardize around anything. GM does this completely differently.
- Fitting a lot of power (with reliability) into a small package really is a high achievement, as certain engines from history were mentioned. Also engines like the Mercedes M156/M159 are shining examples of N/A power. But the thing is huge, heavy and expensive as hell. So good luck affording one from the junkyard or anywhere else. Kind of doesn't matter how "good" it is in that light.
- Which leads to: the LS isn't perfect. But it does have a perfect blend of characteristics that make it a very good choice for a lot of applications, when you factor in real world compromises (you have to be able to afford it, you have to be able to fit it in, you have to be able to tune and tweak it, it has to last). There really isn't anything that does a better job at those things. None of it has to do with "I just like pushrods" or "I am using this because everyone else is."