the 350 and the LS1

[kenwood guy]

I dont know much about the two engines can somone inform me on them ?? Thanx

[Deadcarny]

which 350? the Chevrolet 350 has been made since 1967 (I believe, but could have been 1968), so there are quite a handful of different 350's out there. Dont think they ever made an Aluminum block one production-wise. 2 or 4 bolt main design, over head valve, single cam, 4" bore, 3.480" stroke, 5.7" rods ( i think all production 350's had 5.7"). firing order 1-8-4-2-6-5-7-3.

the LS1 is actually a 346 cubic inch engine. The LS1 really shares nothing in common with the GEN I and GEN II 350's (except overhead valve). It is an All aluminum design with 6 bolt mains, 3.90" bore, 3.620" stroke, coil on plug ignition, firing order 1-8-7-2-6-5-4-3.

Lots of info out there on the LS1, just to a google search!

[89IROC&RS]

open ended question of the century

Small block chevy - started back in 1955, 283cid, it was an iron block V8, 3.875in bore, 3in stroke, OHV configuration, pretty simple, this same engine became the basis for pretty much all GM V8's up to 2000, except the SB2, LT1, and LS1. Those engines include the 302, 305, 307, 327, 350, 400, yadda yadda, there are more, just dont feel like listing them. These blocks were built with either two bolt or four bolt mains, the four bolt main blocks were used in high performance and severe duty (aka trucks), heads were of the two valves per cylender veriety, with standard valve sizes of 1.94intake and 1.5 exhaust, with some performance engines getting larger 2.02 intake and 1.6 exhaust valves. but the main point is that the engine has pretty much remained the same ever sence the mid 50's, as far as the main design anyway. of course it has improoved, such was the case in 1987 with the addition of roller cams and lifters built in from the factory, and the switch from a leak prone two peice rear main seal on the crank, to a single peice unit that sealed far better. the main changes were induction and emissions equipment through the years.

Then the LT1 came out (you didnt ask but im on a roll with the history lesson ) pretty much your standard SBC, but with more tech designed in, key points here would be the sequential multiport fuel injection, optispark distributor mounted on the front of the engine, rather than a standard distributor mounted on the back of the intake manifold, and reverse flow cooling where the cooland flows into the heads before the block, rather than the other way around.

The LS1 was a clean slate, and shares absolutely nothing with the old engines, save for the fact that its a OHV V8 with two valves per cylender. the block is all aluminum, with six bolt mains, four come in from the bottom, and one comes in from the side horazontally, the oil pan is cast rather than stamped and is also a two peice unit, rather than a single peice, it has a 3.9in bore and a 3.62??? in stroke. roller cam, lifters, and rockers, aluminum heads, new design intake ports, composite intake manifold rather than cast iron or aluminum as in the small blocks and LT1. a factory designed "shaft rocker" like system to tie the rocker studs together and maintain rocker geometry, sequential multiport fuel injection, and a switch to a coil on plug, computer controlled ignition system.

um, i think thats pretty much the quick and dirty of it. im more than happy to help further if i can.

[89IROC&RS]

love the avitar by the way

[kenwood guy]

hmm I had no idea about the 350 and its rich history!!! which engine would be tuner frendly When I say that I mean which engine would have more after market support and have more gains??.. and thanx for the second comment

[gtkriss]

Hmm.. well it depends.... Most 350 that you can find are Tpi, or carb. Ls1 is automatically fuel injected.. Ls1 is lighter, but more expensive... 350 is older, so more parts/aftermarket stuff will be available. I would find an LT1.. it seems it would the middle of the 2 extremes. Put some rollerrockers, blower, and port the heads/bore it.. you'll have something that will blow minds.. heheheh

[kenwood guy]

I dont know much on the Lt1

[mike123]

if you have the money get a LS1 for sure , but if your on a tight budget id go for a regual SBC 350 ive heard too many bad things with optispark

[89IROC&RS]

well, if your new to all this, i strongly suggest an old school SBC. It is bar none the most aftermarket supported engine of all time, and is bone simple once you get the basic parts down. it is also as a result of the first two reasons the most adaptable engine around with carbs, fuel injection, and has been installed in everything from motorcycles to jeep wranglers, boats and airplanes. there is a reason for all that. The LS1 is a high technology engine, and is a bit more complex, which might be a bit much for a beginner, although they do sell carb adaption kits, so you can do away with the electronics and wiring associated with the newer engine, but if your going to do that, why get the LS1?

not to be insulting, but you do come off as a bit of a novice, and as such, i strongly suggest you wean yourself in on the more simple of the two, the SBC.

[drvngstorm05]

like he said, if u are new to this, go w/ a 350 small block. if you don't know what your doing and try to tackle an ls1, u WILL be up a creek w/ no paddle

[gtkriss]

I hear that.. Personally, I would do the LT1, but the guys are right, SBC is the way to go if you don't know a whole lot, and if your on a budget.

[Rbraczyk]

I have a chevy truck, and the new longblock crate motor with cam timing chain, etc is 1700 bucks from chevy. its four bolt main and i think its probably the best. oh Btw 210 hp at the rear wheels

[89IROC&RS]

well also, i suppose i forgot to ask, what is this going into????? because if your deciding on a vehicle baised on the engine you kinda face a catch 22, the older engines are easier to work on and learn about, but the cars tend to have more problems and require alot of money and attention, but newer cars, although plaged by fewer problems, are nearly impossible for a newbie to dive into in respect to the drivetrain.

[kenwood guy]

hmm well the Ls1 seems to appeal to me more because its fuel injection and is computer friendly the older engines are cool but im not to sure I just want a fast car that can run.... well whats a good camaro run 13, 14, maybe less (it sux not knowing about all these engines)

[89IROC&RS]

my 89 IROC has a TPI 350, which is fuel injection, runs 245hp, and the quarter in mid 14's stock, im probly in the high 13's now low 14's with just headers and exhaust and a transkit. an engine is just a block of metal, aint one engine more computer friendly than another, its all about what you put on them.