does anybody know of someone or yourself personally thats run a LSVTEC engine without a turbo for a long time. Are they reliable for a long period of time. I don't want to hear"if its properly built it should..." People keep saying that,but does anybody know of someone thats run one for years.

 

a buddy of mine has been driving on his LS/Vtec for about 2.5years (daily driver) and hasnt had any problems. However a lot of careful planning went into his motor. It was blueprinted down to the smallest detail. He ran a B18A1 block with a B16A2 head (all head internals were swapped out for a Jun stage II head package)...The entire bottom end was swapped out for new internals as well... JE pistons, forged rods,
a new B17A...(this is not a mistake) crank, and it was bored out to 84mm...with a new sleeve
DO NOT go above 12.5:1 with the compression...!!! (this is a common mistake) higher piston domes for more compression dont always work well with the LS/Vtec...we used a flat domed piston in his LS/vtec....hopefully ive helped...the engine is only as strong as it is built..dont half *** on an LS/Vtec or you will lose a good amount of money and time!!



[Modified by EhSiRk92, 8:57 AM 8/27/2002]

 

well it just seems to me that it takes too much time and money to get a reliable LSVTEC engine. I think it would be simpler to just stick with the original head. Not as powerful,I'll admit that, but simpler and easier.

 

You don't have to go ALL out on an LSVT, just make sure the right parts are done.

ARP rod bolts, for instance, are hailed as the #1 thing to chnage as the stock LS rod bolts kick out at high rpm and you may spin a rod bearing (dead crank, rebuild w/ machined or new crank)
Vtec oil/water pumps are another necessity
GSR or Z10 girdle....for high rpm crank stability
Higher comp pistons will create more power...etc...etc... PLUS, get it assembled by a pro !


The post above references a B17 crank... this is a great crank with a rod stroke ratio about 1.74, but... the motor is no longer the essence of an LSVT as it no longer has the stroke of an LSVT, which is derived from the crank design of the LS/RS/GS motor. This motor will not have the dreaded 'bad R/S ratio' of a pure LSVT setup, therefore, may not be the best example.

Many people complain about oil leaks, but most people against LSVT prolly haven't ever seen one..... so don't fall for hearsay.

A professionally assembled LSVT will last almost as long as a regualar modded LS.

How long do LS's with modded heads/ rechipped ECU's last ? That's the same life span of the LSVT, as they both run past the 6800 redline often.


[Modified by AlterEgo, 11:36 AM 8/27/2002]