Quote:
Originally Posted by LostHighway
Personally and I mean, very personally.. I think LS engines are a sad representation of how this country has gone downhill. LS engines to me are nothing but the end result of years of cut throat corporatism and global economics that has ruined choice for the American consumer. Thinking back on past generations and how they had a plethora of options and engine choices to choose from on any given platform- to how it is now, certainly makes me feel like we have lost. Sure you can now buy an IMPORT to make up the difference, and you might have to because you sure don't have a new Pontiac or Oldsmobile etc. to consider. If you think that's a stretch and I'm overlooking the technological aspect of the LS engine, then please enlighten me on how we are better off without these companies and how I should be happy with just an LS. The technology would in my opinion be there regardless, if the company were still alive making vehicles and engines. This company was scrapped for numerous reasons, but the ultimate reason was to appease sales in China using the Buick platforms because they sale very well over there. So next time you see a Buick, just remember that there is no more Trans-Am because the Chinese needed a Buick. The cold hard truth is the LS engine is a generic engine, multifaceted from a lot of different engine designs, combined to suit many different platforms. I do not find any individuality or character in these engines. When I see an LS swap in a classic, I instantly stop looking at the rest of the car. Its like looking at a stuffed mount Bear or Lion at Bass Pro or Cabellas. Sure it looks amazing but the soul is gone. IF the owner is near I do express my feelings in a polite and constructive manner if they ask. I'd rather open a door than have a door slammed in my face. Im not rude about it. Anyway...
So how do you make your Pontiac run like an LS? You don't! You make it run like a Pontiac and leave them feeling small, just like I feel when I know if I want a hot new GM car, Im stuck with an no low end TQ LS.
But if there is someone out there considering spending the money to make a Pontiac engine modern... Please consider the controlling side of the engine you are building as well as the mechanical side. Being a current tech for General Motors, I can give you a couple ideas. Most of the "trick" in these engines is in the EFI and timing control system that operates it. Variable valve timing done by a solenoid in the nose of the cam which uses oil flow to advance or retard cam timing as much as 60 degrees on demand. A coil on plug system to further dial in individual cylinder firing, giving more dwell and a hotter spark which aids in a more complete combustion event. A crank reluctor wheel will need to be added to sense crank speed differences in cylinder to cylinder timing. This will be needed to dial in perfect timing operation. Next you have to figure out a way to make the Pontiac block reverse flow cooling friendly. You will also have to add in a couple extra coolant temp sensors to monitor everything. You want to have an ECU thats extremely capable and tuner friendly. Mechanically you need a light block thats very strong. That alone is a tough one to crack but if you got the money, Im pretty sure there are some aluminum Pontiac blocks to be had. As far as heads are concerned, a fast burn chamber to squish and direct the fuel and air mix to the spark plug area allowing for more complete burn and better flame propagation is a must.... and I suggest using KRE or Edelbrock over the open chamber Pontiac stuff.
I could go on and on, but the more time I spend on this the more I am glad Im not doing it. lol Merry Christmas my Pontiac brothers and sisters.
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There you have it in a nutshell. Yes it can be done, to a certain degree on the Stratostreak engines. It isn't going to be cheap? Nope it won't be cheap, or easy. You had better know your way around machine shop, be a pretty fair fabricator, and know how to adapt the electronic management system that GM uses, or find an aftermarket system that would be suitable.
The variable valvetrain adaption, or fabrication from scratch is going to be a major hurdle though, as well as a load sensing system to run it. All good points about the reluctor system to have accurate timing for the single coil per cylinder system, and accurate timing. Pretty easy too see why no one I'm aware of has taken the rather complicated EC GM system and retrofitted it to the original Stratostreak engine.
Chevy/GMP kind of did it to the last SBC engines, however they still used a distributor, instead of the single coil per cylinder system (Duraspark). They have a helluva lot more technology at their disposal than the average Pontiac enthusiast does too......……...
They never did any VVT on the SBC that I'm aware of, it didn't come to most GM engines until roughly 2007. I can tell you that the last 1997 350 CI SBC (owned a 1997 T/A) didn't even compare closely to the 1998 LS1.
Maybe no one here realizes that there are chevy holdouts too, that are mad GM quit using the SBC as the V8 in chevy cars. Some chevy guys do know that GMP designed the LS engines, and not chevy. You don't often hear that coming from the chevy camp, but there are a few out there.
The poster makes a good analogy in his reply, the stuffed mounted game head, without the soul of the animal, is a good demonstrative tool. Remember one of Pontiacs last advertising campaigns was, "Fuel For The Soul".