Aluminum V8's - Options

TurboRagtop · Post by **TurboRagtop** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 7:08 pm

The thread on Rover/Buick V8's got me going... Has anyone seriously looked at the GM LS series (LS1, LS2,... LS7) V8's?
If one really wants an Alum. V8 the GM is a much better engine than the Rover. (I know, GM invented the Rover/Buick V8 back in the day, I'm aware of the pedigree)
With the LS, you get 6 bolt mains, all alum. construction, modern ignition, displacement on demand, (4,6,8 cyl modes of operation), transmission choices galore, yadda yadda. My brother put 300,000 miles on one of these engines, and only changed oil and spark plugs; he reports terrific durability, traded it in and went and bought another one.
Getting one to fit may be a challenge, but not much more difficult than the GM V6 we all know of.
Anyone know of this being done? Anyone take a serious look at the LS?
I wonder how much it weighs compared to the Rover/Buick?

Post by **spl310** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 8:54 pm

I saw a Roadster that someone was squeezing an LT1 into a Roadster. If I recall correctly, they had to remove virtually all of the firewall and the transmission tunnel to get it to fit and then rebuild it all around the engine. The footboxes were tiny when they were done. I bet it was quick though!

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:09 am

Anything's possible with enough cutting and welding. Some of the 240SX guys are starting to pull out their blown up SR20s/KA24s and drop in LT1s. Same with the 3rd gen RX7 guys. The engine is a tight fit into the 240sx which has a MUCH larger engine bay than the roadster.

Post by **dbrick** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 12:00 am

I believe the Rover is 280 pounds complete ready to run. Biggest reason for the Rover choice is cheap, available and I think lighter than the 4 cyl coming out. Money being no object, the GM LS would be nice. If I really could have what I wanted in there, it would be a Daimler Hemi with a
4-71 or Hilborn injection, but they are a bit rare, or a nice straight 6. The SR20 and Zetec are very cool, I just like the Rover it's aV8, it's lighter than stock engine I can put a 5 or 6 speed behind it and I can do carbs or injection with cheap factory parts. Oh, and it looks really cool too.