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Why do ls1 and ls2......?

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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 01:04 AM
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Default Why do ls1 and ls2......?

Heads/cam ls1 and ls2's make the same power. I know lots of ls1 fbodys that make 440-450 with heads and cam. Why do the ls2's make about the same. And then how the hell can ls3's make 500 hp cam only? Do heads/cam ls3's make 550+? Just seems the ls2 vettes should make more pwer than the ls1's but I havent seen it. I know there are faster because the weight differnce but...let me know
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 01:31 AM
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Not sure where your reading your numbers at. Most LS2 HCI with mild cams 224/228 make 460-475. Also the LS1 seem to be more peaky with the LS2 carrying more punch thru out the powerband. In all reality the main difference between the two is only 14 cubes. So figure 1.25hp/cube = 17hp difference.
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 07:02 AM
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He's right. Displacement increase from the LS1 to LS2 isn't going to affect power much but it will affect the torque curve.

LS3's come with very good heads and intake manifolds but you won't see a comparative increase of power from porting the LS3 heads as you see in porting the LS1-2 heads.

Where you can see an increase of 40-60 rwhp from an excellent 243 casting ported by some of the best in the country, you might only see a 25-40 rwhp gain on the LS3's.

Again, this is a testament to the awesome out-of-the-box flow of the LS3 heads.

We see a similar situation with the LS7 heads.

Last edited by thee Dragon; Jun 4, 2009 at 08:46 AM.
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 07:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Slwsvt
Not sure where your reading your numbers at. Most LS2 HCI with mild cams 224/228 make 460-475. Also the LS1 seem to be more peaky with the LS2 carrying more punch thru out the powerband. In all reality the main difference between the two is only 14 cubes. So figure 1.25hp/cube = 17hp difference.
Once things equal out the only advantage is cubes. And I think your being very generous @ 1.25/cube I'm pretty sure it's lower than that...........
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 08:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Slwsvt
Not sure where your reading your numbers at. Most LS2 HCI with mild cams 224/228 make 460-475. Also the LS1 seem to be more peaky with the LS2 carrying more punch thru out the powerband. In all reality the main difference between the two is only 14 cubes. So figure 1.25hp/cube = 17hp difference.
And where are you getting your stats??????

LS1=346 cu.in.
LS2=364 cu.in.

By your incorrect math that's an 18 cube difference equating to a 22.5 hp discrepancy.

Way off.

Last edited by thee Dragon; Jun 4, 2009 at 08:36 AM.
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 08:33 AM
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My LS2 has 438 rwhp through 4.10 gears with cam only. Add 10-12 rwhp for 3.42 gears and you have 450 rwhp without changing the heads.
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 08:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Wass
My LS2 has 438 rwhp through 4.10 gears with cam only. Add 10-12 rwhp for 3.42 gears and you have 450 rwhp without changing the heads.
Decent numbers. What cam? Any 1/4 trap speeds? Full exhaust?

Figure with crappier LS1 heads you'd have about ~420 rwhp instead of 438; which is achievable and common on full bolt-on cam-only LS1's.

The better heads on the LS2's over the LS1's really help a lot

Last edited by thee Dragon; Jun 4, 2009 at 08:44 AM.
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 08:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Wass
My LS2 has 438 rwhp through 4.10 gears with cam only. Add 10-12 rwhp for 3.42 gears and you have 450 rwhp without changing the heads.
I make 444/404 with cam and the other mods below. Next is heads and injectors.
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 08:57 AM
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Originally Posted by wildbill ws6/ss
Heads/cam ls1 and ls2's make the same power. I know lots of ls1 fbodys that make 440-450 with heads and cam. Why do the ls2's make about the same. And then how the hell can ls3's make 500 hp cam only? Do heads/cam ls3's make 550+? Just seems the ls2 vettes should make more pwer than the ls1's but I havent seen it. I know there are faster because the weight differnce but...let me know
A 440rwhp head/cam setup on an LS2 would be a VERY mild setup.

LS3s come with amazing heads that flow ridiculous numbers and dont pick up much from porting. If you put LS3 heads on an LS2 you would be very close to their cam only numbers.
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by FloydSummerOf68
A 440rwhp head/cam setup on an LS2 would be a VERY mild setup.

LS3s come with amazing heads that flow ridiculous numbers and dont pick up much from porting. If you put LS3 heads on an LS2 you would be very close to their cam only numbers.
But if your going to spend the money putting ls3 heads on a ls2 you might as well go aftermarket huh? Or would you go with the proven ls3 head? Has anyone put ls3 heads on a ls2 car yet?

Last edited by wildbill ws6/ss; Jun 4, 2009 at 11:09 AM.
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by thee Dragon
Decent numbers. What cam? Any 1/4 trap speeds? Full exhaust?

Figure with crappier LS1 heads you'd have about ~420 rwhp instead of 438; which is achievable and common on full bolt-on cam-only LS1's.

The better heads on the LS2's over the LS1's really help a lot
ECS custom cam, (duration 220s / lift 580s) with full exhaust. No trap speeds, but I am very happy with the overall performance.
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 11:04 AM
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Originally Posted by thee Dragon
Decent numbers. What cam? Any 1/4 trap speeds? Full exhaust?

Figure with crappier LS1 heads you'd have about ~420 rwhp instead of 438; which is achievable and common on full bolt-on cam-only LS1's.

The better heads on the LS2's over the LS1's really help a lot
actually my cam only full bolton ls1 only made 403 rwhp.
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 05:13 PM
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I made 466rwhp and 411rwfts with bolt ons and Cam only.
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 05:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Tony B4
I made 466rwhp and 411rwfts with bolt ons and Cam only.
Your car is my new wallpaper haha
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 06:44 PM
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Originally Posted by Tony B4
I made 466rwhp and 411rwfts with bolt ons and Cam only.
Wicked picture!!

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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 06:59 PM
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Originally Posted by thee Dragon
And where are you getting your stats??????

LS1=346 cu.in.
LS2=364 cu.in.

By your incorrect math that's an 18 cube difference equating to a 22.5 hp discrepancy.

Way off.
Oh damn, my bad. That's what happens when you post sleepy. I left out 4 cubes. Way way off!
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Old Jun 4, 2009 | 10:00 PM
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possible to put ls3 heads on a ls1 car? And if so what would the gains be
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Old Jun 5, 2009 | 07:55 AM
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^^^ Nope, they will not work on an LS1 bottom end. Plus, the entire top end would have to be changed to LS3 too. It's a completely different head (i.e. ports, combustion chamber etc.) and the bore size on the LS1 is 3.89" vs 4.065" on the LS3.
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Old Jun 5, 2009 | 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Jimmyz28
^^^ Nope, they will not work on an LS1 bottom end. Plus, the entire top end would have to be changed to LS3 too. It's a completely different head (i.e. ports, combustion chamber etc.) and the bore size on the LS1 is 3.89" vs 4.065" on the LS3.
got ya. But you can put ls3 heads on a ls2?
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Old Jun 5, 2009 | 01:17 PM
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Yes you can
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