C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Leanest Cylinder ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 12, 2002 | 10:56 PM
  #1  
ScubaJKD's Avatar
ScubaJKD
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Reston VA
Default Leanest Cylinder ?

Hey guys been away awhile getting moved into my new location in VA. Was getting ready to mount up my O2 sensor in my Hooker Headers and wanted to mount it in the leanest cylinder. Some guys say #5 some guys say #7. Anyone with any input on this one ? I dont want to mount it in the collector. Thanks

:seeya
Reply
Old Apr 12, 2002 | 11:28 PM
  #2  
gkull's Avatar
gkull
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Default Re: Leanest Cylinder ? (ScubaJKD)

The outer four cylinders are the leanest. At least that has been my experience on the last three head swaps. These were all single plane applications. one roller motor had 15 thousand miles and it only had dark tan carbon build up on the center four. the outer four had towards light tan with very little build up. all of them you could still read the KB + .030.

15K miles is a bettter indication of what's going on over reading plugs.
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2002 | 12:12 AM
  #3  
74vetteman's Avatar
74vetteman
Pro
 
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 683
Likes: 0
From: Calgary
Default Re: Leanest Cylinder ? (ScubaJKD)

You won't go wrong mounting the o2 sensor in the #7 primary. In most cases, it is the leanest cylinder. If you look at the firing order, 5 fires just before 7 in the order.
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2002 | 12:39 AM
  #4  
Pete79L82's Avatar
Pete79L82
Drifting
25 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,824
Likes: 55
From: Shawano WI
Default Re: Leanest Cylinder ? (74vetteman)

On a small block #5 will alway be the leanest. This is because #6 fires just before it, taking fuel away. Also being a center cylinder the exhaust valve is right next to the exhaust valve of #3 and there is no water jacket between them. This causes a hot spot. On the dyno #5 will alway have the highest temps. If you ever burn a piston it is just about always #5.
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2002 | 03:50 AM
  #5  
gkull's Avatar
gkull
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,444
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Default Re: Leanest Cylinder ? (Pete79L82)

The last motor I had that smoked was piston #1. I thought it was rod knock, but it was smeared piston. The whole skirt was out of round and the rings were frozen because of smeared aluminum. I had dings in the forged crank throws. KB hiper pistons can't withstand high rpm for 45 minutes at 230 degrees water temp.
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2002 | 12:12 PM
  #6  
ScubaJKD's Avatar
ScubaJKD
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 831
Likes: 0
From: Reston VA
Default Re: Leanest Cylinder ? (gkull)

Thanks guys that helps alot.

:seeya
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2002 | 12:19 PM
  #7  
Fevre's Avatar
Fevre
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Default Re: Leanest Cylinder ? (ScubaJKD)

If I am not wrong, the hottest tube is the leanest running. Why not take you vette to a garage that has one of the heat sensing guns (perometer?) and have them tell you which is hottest and mount it on that one. Butthat won't cost butt $10 or maybe even free. Greasers love hi-po engines no matter what there in and yours is a vette to boot! :yesnod:
Reply
Old Apr 13, 2002 | 12:21 PM
  #8  
Fevre's Avatar
Fevre
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Default Re: Leanest Cylinder ? (Fevre)

I'm into butts! First 'butt' = bet, Second = but
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Apr 13, 2002 | 12:24 PM
  #9  
Matt Gruber's Avatar
Matt Gruber
Race Director
Active Streak: 30 Days
Community Influencer
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,996
Likes: 79
From: central FL, near the beach.
Default Re: Leanest Cylinder ? (ScubaJKD)

the very minimum is to weld bungs in 5 and 7 if a dual plane. i checked all 8 in my 61. You can make 8 bungs cheap with a sears tap and a piece of pipe. or, cut off "oil fouler" plug extentions.
my article: http://community.webtv.net/MATTGRU/AFtesting
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Leanest Cylinder ?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:15 PM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE