LS2 vs L98

[HamaTime™]

Daaaaaat thread dig.

Question seems like a no brainer... LS2, being out of a HSV would take the plate every time. L98s have a lot of issues with oil pumps and lifter noise, not sure if LS2s have the same trouble.

You'd be surprised, actually not in this case. LS2's have same problems as the oil pump/lifters/piston slap is just an inherent problem with all LS motors.

L98's/L76's etc got the LS3 heads which have rectangular ports as opposed to the oval ports in the LS2 heads (pretty sure that's the right way around), as well as a different cam and also a better/higher flowing manifold.

The LS2 was the very early variant though and almost every LS block in existence has lifter noise and can suffer from oil pump drama. Its essentially the same engine, the L76 and the L98 are both based off the LS2, the difference is AFM. The L98s originally had the AFM hardware but it was put in the bin.

Correct, both based off the LS2. L76 is essentially same as L98 except it has the AFM hardware.

L98's have better flowing heads

Correct, LS3 heads.

Did the L98 get the LS3 heads?

Yep, described above.

 

[PIR4TE]

Did the L98 get the LS3 heads?

Yes same heads, not the LS3's lighter Intake valves - all GenIV small blocks either of three almost identical castings interchangeable under the L92 banner. The LS7 similar but suits different bore and LS9 has a blend bump in the intake chamber.

 

[nathanVY]

Interesting. Just seems to me that all the VE L98s people are having heaps of trouble with all the above mentioned problems. Haven't heard of as many with the good old LS1s especially the newer ones.

 

[PIR4TE]

Interesting. Just seems to me that all the VE L98s people are having heaps of trouble with all the above mentioned problems. Haven't heard of as many with the good old LS1s especially the newer ones.

LS1 has same lifter ticks and definitely more piston slap noises. Dunno why exactly someone mentioned a known oil pump issue on GenIV?

 

[HamaTime™]

LS1 has same lifter ticks and definitely more piston slap noises. Dunno why exactly someone mentioned a known oil pump issue on GenIV?

All the LS specialist performance workshops down here say L98's and LS's in general are known for oil pump problems, not circulating oil enough. Not enough to ever/regularly cause failure, just enough to cause rattles/knocks from oil starvation.

'Apparently'.

 

[Grennan]

There have been a few reports of oil starvation to the top end.

But, from what Ive seen its not limited to any engine code and it appears to be a common trend across most the LS range.

Nath, I am shocked you haven't heard the same issues from LS1s. LS1 oil pumps are much more notorious for packing up their ****.

 

[mister stato]

The LS2 is a performance engine, which compromises on things like noise, etc for more efficient power. For instance, it has really shirt skirted pistons, which reduces the mass, but increases rattling...I'm not sure of the L98 or L76, but the LS2 also has 6 bolt mains...not many engines come with 4 bolt mains let alone 6! The Ford Boss engine has 2 hehehe...Basically, for power potential, the LS2 has the goods for easy upgrades (ie heads, cam, etc) without a rebuild, and will most likelly handle the extra power more reliably. Start stripping the engines down however, and it's stupid to compare, because you can change what you want in whichever enigne...

Hmm actually the Boss engine has Six-point main bearing location is comprised of two cross-bolts, two vertical bolts and two vertical locating dowels for each main bearing cap. Together, they provide six-point mounting with superior and more precise location compared to a six-bolt mounting. In combination with the rigid deep skirt cast-iron block, they deliver exceptionally stable and highly accurate crankshaft location for superior durability and refinement under high performance loads.

 

[Kain]

That was a good read but not much detail, does anyone on here know their factual GM history and engine performance specs ??

 

[Tonner Matt]

That was a good read but not much detail, does anyone on here know their factual GM history and engine performance specs ??

It's all out there if you are prepared to do the research yourself