Why does GM need 3 different S/C 6.2L V8s?
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Why does GM need 3 different S/C 6.2L V8s?
http://www.leftlanenews.com/a-detail...tor-plans.html
LS9 is the high performance hand built version probably getting a lot of LS7 parts, but whats the point of having the LSA and LS8? they sound like the same thing. 475-500HP seems kind of weak for an engine that gets 436HP with out a supercharger.
LST seems to be the same V8 just tuned for HD trucks. why not a gas V8 in the 6.2-7.0 range. Couldn't they just make a mass produced 7.0L V8 with out all the special Z06 internals? Anyone remember the 6.4L V8 that was to be the LS7 and was in the Woodward GTO?
LS9 is the high performance hand built version probably getting a lot of LS7 parts, but whats the point of having the LSA and LS8? they sound like the same thing. 475-500HP seems kind of weak for an engine that gets 436HP with out a supercharger.
LST seems to be the same V8 just tuned for HD trucks. why not a gas V8 in the 6.2-7.0 range. Couldn't they just make a mass produced 7.0L V8 with out all the special Z06 internals? Anyone remember the 6.4L V8 that was to be the LS7 and was in the Woodward GTO?
LSA
The LSA will find its way under the hood of the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V. The LSA is a 6.2-liter, smallblock V8 with a supercharger. It features an intercooler integrated into the intake manifold.
Preliminary specs have it over 500 horsepower with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions. The CTS-V will start production in September of 2008 with this motor. Look for around 6000 to 8000 units annually.
Original plans also had the LSA going into an Escalade V-series truck. However justifying the development cost — not to mention CAFE considerations — might put possibility of such a truck in jeporady. At present, it is unclear whether the Escalade-V a truck is still part of the plan.
LS8
This is another 6.2-liter, smallblock V8 with a supercharger. It also features an intercooler integrated into the intake manifold. This will be the motor going into the top-end Zeta platform cars. The most premium Camaro, probably called Z28, will get this motor.
That said, original plans had this motor going into a Denali SUV or truck, however, those plans now seem to be canceled. Again, this maybe a result of CAFE.
Some of Holden's vehicles may also get this motor eventually. Initial specs have this motor at 475 to 500 horsepower with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions.
When the LS7 dies, the Z06 will get this motor. Possibly, slightly uptuned from the version the Zeta cars would get. This motor will start production in first or second quarter of 2010.
LST
Yet another 6.2-liter, smallblock V8 with a supercharger. It also features an intercooler integrated into the intake manifold. This motor may or may not still be in GM's plans. The original plan was to put it in GM's Heavy Duty trucks.
Delivering in excess of 450 pound-feet of torque, it was set to start in the middle of 2008. However, it now seems this motor may no longer be part of the plan. GM may have decided its diesel offerings were sufficient. It's also possible GM had a hard time justifying the cost of development. Of course, CAFE might have also played a role.
LS9
This is the 6.2-liter, smallblock V8 with a supercharger going into the ZR-1 Corvette. Like all the others, it has an intercooler integrated into the intake manifold. Original specs had this motor at 600 horsepower and 550 to 560 pound-feet of torque. It now seems the horsepower rating may have jumped to as much as 650.
If that's true, it would probably be safe to estimate a similar jump in torque to around 600 ft lbs. Sources have stated the LS9 can make 700hp on a test stand. Obviously though, that is without a car attached to the motor. Don't look for any production hp number starting with "seven."
It now appears an auto/paddle shift may also be an option on the ZR-1. This motor will be handbuilt at GM's Wixom performance center. They will only make 1500 to 2000 units a year. Production of the ZR-1 starts in July of 2008.
The LSA will find its way under the hood of the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V. The LSA is a 6.2-liter, smallblock V8 with a supercharger. It features an intercooler integrated into the intake manifold.
Preliminary specs have it over 500 horsepower with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions. The CTS-V will start production in September of 2008 with this motor. Look for around 6000 to 8000 units annually.
Original plans also had the LSA going into an Escalade V-series truck. However justifying the development cost — not to mention CAFE considerations — might put possibility of such a truck in jeporady. At present, it is unclear whether the Escalade-V a truck is still part of the plan.
LS8
This is another 6.2-liter, smallblock V8 with a supercharger. It also features an intercooler integrated into the intake manifold. This will be the motor going into the top-end Zeta platform cars. The most premium Camaro, probably called Z28, will get this motor.
That said, original plans had this motor going into a Denali SUV or truck, however, those plans now seem to be canceled. Again, this maybe a result of CAFE.
Some of Holden's vehicles may also get this motor eventually. Initial specs have this motor at 475 to 500 horsepower with a choice of manual or automatic transmissions.
When the LS7 dies, the Z06 will get this motor. Possibly, slightly uptuned from the version the Zeta cars would get. This motor will start production in first or second quarter of 2010.
LST
Yet another 6.2-liter, smallblock V8 with a supercharger. It also features an intercooler integrated into the intake manifold. This motor may or may not still be in GM's plans. The original plan was to put it in GM's Heavy Duty trucks.
Delivering in excess of 450 pound-feet of torque, it was set to start in the middle of 2008. However, it now seems this motor may no longer be part of the plan. GM may have decided its diesel offerings were sufficient. It's also possible GM had a hard time justifying the cost of development. Of course, CAFE might have also played a role.
LS9
This is the 6.2-liter, smallblock V8 with a supercharger going into the ZR-1 Corvette. Like all the others, it has an intercooler integrated into the intake manifold. Original specs had this motor at 600 horsepower and 550 to 560 pound-feet of torque. It now seems the horsepower rating may have jumped to as much as 650.
If that's true, it would probably be safe to estimate a similar jump in torque to around 600 ft lbs. Sources have stated the LS9 can make 700hp on a test stand. Obviously though, that is without a car attached to the motor. Don't look for any production hp number starting with "seven."
It now appears an auto/paddle shift may also be an option on the ZR-1. This motor will be handbuilt at GM's Wixom performance center. They will only make 1500 to 2000 units a year. Production of the ZR-1 starts in July of 2008.
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I stopped reading after this:
Made me
This is another 6.2-liter, smallblock V8 with a supercharger. It also features an intercooler integrated into the intake manifold. This will be the motor going into the top-end Zeta platform cars. The most premium Camaro, probably called Z28, will get this motor.
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Seems odd that both the Z06 and ZR1 would both get SC 6.2L motors. Wonder what the real difference in content will be. Also 475HP out of a boosted LS3 would seem ridiculous, so I don't buy into that low range number.
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I don't think Chevy will make a future Z06 with a lower hp rating than what it is right now as long as they have a choice. Why would they trade the 505 hp for a new engine with 475-500 hp...sure it could only be a 5 hp difference but it is something you wouldn't usually see.
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There's been other cars from GM in the past that bettered top Corvettes in horsepower, but didn't outrun them because they were bigger and/or heavier cars. If I'm not mistaken, early LS1 Camaros put out marginally more torque (though not rated) lower down the & over a slightly wider band than the Corvette's.
Keep in mind, we're talking about a top version of a Cadillac and a defacto mid version of a Corvette.
Personally, I suspect both will have the same horsepower.
FWIW: save for the block material, we're talking about the same power adder as a GT500 needing strength to handle roughly the same horsepower if not more. My guess is that the weight saved by GM using aluminum for the block is at least made up (and maybe more) by an IRS system engineered to handle that much torque. Anyone want to take a stab at the weight of the next supercharged, 500+ horsepower Camaro Z28 in relations to the Shelby GT500?
Last edited by guionM; Oct 30, 2007 at 06:08 PM.
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What would the physical differences be b/w each motor? I hope there's no marketing reason behind the different LS configurations.
I'd imagine the PCM calibration would be different between each motor given the different outputs?
Gee, it's confusing to say the least.
I'd imagine the PCM calibration would be different between each motor given the different outputs?
Gee, it's confusing to say the least.
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Here's the thing that I don't get....
So, I'm under the impression that all of these SC 6.2s are Gen IV smallblocks.
So, let's say the Z/28 gets a 475-500 hp Gen IV SC 6.2 in '11.
Then....by '11/'12 the Gen V smallblock comes out, with a, (since no blower, intercooler, etc.), cheaper, lighter, more compact, less complex, more fuel efficient, lower emissions, NA 6.2 - with the same 475-500 hp.
You guys see where I'm going with this?
So, I'm under the impression that all of these SC 6.2s are Gen IV smallblocks.
So, let's say the Z/28 gets a 475-500 hp Gen IV SC 6.2 in '11.
Then....by '11/'12 the Gen V smallblock comes out, with a, (since no blower, intercooler, etc.), cheaper, lighter, more compact, less complex, more fuel efficient, lower emissions, NA 6.2 - with the same 475-500 hp.
You guys see where I'm going with this?
Last edited by Z284ever; Oct 31, 2007 at 12:32 AM.