How would an LS1/LS6 do with a carb?
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Instructor
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Houston TX
How would an LS1/LS6 do with a carb?
I've read that the HP potential is similar between carbed and fuel injected engines.
However, the LS-1/LS-6 engines seem to put out MASSIVE horspower, especially with the modifications I see you guys making.
My question is: does the LS-1/LS-6's secret lie at all in its fuel injection system, or is it just a well-designed piece of metal (good heads, high ratio RRs for high lift, etc., etc.)? Could you stick a carb on top and make similar horsepower?
Thanks!
However, the LS-1/LS-6 engines seem to put out MASSIVE horspower, especially with the modifications I see you guys making.
My question is: does the LS-1/LS-6's secret lie at all in its fuel injection system, or is it just a well-designed piece of metal (good heads, high ratio RRs for high lift, etc., etc.)? Could you stick a carb on top and make similar horsepower?
Thanks!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Central NJ
Re: How would an LS1/LS6 do with a carb? (GeoffSchultz)
The driveability alone would make adding a carb to the LS series engines a waste of time. The fuel injection provides better fuel atomization, resulting in more usable horsepower, smoother idle, better gas mileage and a much more streetable package.
Team Owner
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From: Various places in Southern California.
Re: How would an LS1/LS6 do with a carb? (GeoffSchultz)
Fuel injection's greater precision in the maintenance of the air/fuel ratio surely contributes to the power output of the LS1. I'd expect that with a carb you'd definitely see a loss of power and driveability as described above.
Still, if you were to put an LS1 in an old street rod with a carb, I think you'd get better horsepower than you would with a 350 SBC. Part of the LS1's advantage would be the better breathing (both intake and ports), better combustion chamber design, etc.
Still, if you were to put an LS1 in an old street rod with a carb, I think you'd get better horsepower than you would with a 350 SBC. Part of the LS1's advantage would be the better breathing (both intake and ports), better combustion chamber design, etc.
Le Mans Master
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Re: How would an LS1/LS6 do with a carb? (GeoffSchultz)
In an all out situation of WOT drag racing, a carb would probably be a great way to go on an lsx engine. Otherwise I would stick with Fuel Injection.
Drifting
Joined: May 2002
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From: San Francisco CA
Re: How would an LS1/LS6 do with a carb? (GeoffSchultz)
There is no doubt that SFI is superior in fuel management to what any carburetor can do and the LSx is superior to any RPO SBC offering. But if you look in the aftermarket as well as the GM parts bins there are parts available for the SBC that will allow it to oupower any LSx of similar configuration. As good as the LSx heads are in stock or modified form, they still pale in comparison to many other heads that are available for the SBC. And the same is true of many of the other components.
Until the time comes that the LSx engine is at least as widely used in competition as the SBC, I suppose that will always be true.
Until the time comes that the LSx engine is at least as widely used in competition as the SBC, I suppose that will always be true.
