Is the GENV engine still going to be LS series, or will we see something new?

 

His comments are all spot on - however the 3 valve cylinder is still a thing that GM happily will hold the patent on and happily still not use. The problem is by adding the additional pushrods and rockers, you increase your mass again, negating some of the advantages you'd gain. GM engineers battled the 3 valve head with a raised camshaft against a super 2 valve head - and in the end they kept the cam low and used two gigantic valves - and called it an LS7.

However, the important fact (as pointed out) is that the new race engine is very similar to production. This is no shock to anyone that's been in the loop though.
In a race situation, the 5.5L will scream compared to the LS7. In a road application, GM need only press the technology and it'll scream there too.

The sound clips from Sebring will be orgasmic. I promise.
I got into a discussion with one of the guys I know about just that. The issue is that the LS series is running out of numbers in a hurry, and there are several versions of the GenV in the works. In terms of technical content, the GenV is vastly superior to the GenIV - and I think something new should be used.

 

Especially since both the Gen III and Gen IV used the LS tag. With all of the new technology, using the same name as the 14 year old LS seems a little weird. I would like to see LRX. Sounds the best.

 

I hope you are right, Geoff.

I'm a firm believer that simpler is better. I don't think the 3 valve head is necessary considering GM have managed to shift the intake pushrod away from the intake path, just like on the R07 head.

Besides, the current 2-valve LSX head revs high enough for (most) street performance applications.

 

I also think it is time to change the since LS* is out of numbers.

What L_1-9 hasn't been used before?

 

LZ series?

 

Have they used 5 or 8 yet?
They could switch to all letters....they have already started with LS-A

I agree its time for a change though

 

Most of them! I think LS, LT, LL, LN and LQ are the only ones. That leaves 21 more letters, plus all ten numerals (well, some of those have been used already, e.g. L99, L67).

Nope.

 

just an observation, but that R07 head could prolly use SIDI if given enough machining.

i hope to make it to one of the ALMS races this year. thats my only non-life-centric goal.

 

A 3v head would probably gain some good mid-lift flow compared to a 2v head, but honestly the LSx heads flow so damn well its pretty much a moot issue.

 

Some folks are making a big deal about how similar that this is using the same block design as a production block. The C5-R blocks that I have seen did greatly resemble a production block. Sure, it was made from a stronger/more expensive alloy and some bolt holes hadn't been drilled yet, but overall there was a notable family resemblance.

I like the raised camshaft location! 500"+ engines will become the norm

 

Nice

 

the current LSx cam height has no problem supporting 500+ cube engines. you can fit a 4.5" stroke in there, what more do you need?

 

I recall reading a public technical document some time ago in which GM claims the 3V head gives a 10% increase in power compared to its 2V head. As a matter of interest, the 4V head provides a 15% improvement over the 2V head.

The 3V head does look a bit too busy for my liking and there's an obvious penalty in valvetrain weight over the current OHV 2V. I'd rather a proper DOHC 4V head like Ford's Coyote over GM's 3V contraption.

 

They could go back to the olden-days and just use L followed by two digits... like L30, L35 or the iconic L78. However it will most likely be three characters beginning with "L".