LSx engine swap for track use, thread

[Racecomp Engineering]

The suspension can certainly be tuned to work with the new power, weight balance, and higher COG. The car won't handle as well as it could with the FA, but it will be manageable if done right.

Just a compromise you have to make to have an assload of power at your fingers, er...toes.

- Andy

[neurokinetik]

Originally Posted by mav1178

My point is... what is your end goal? If it's just to be faster, there's much, MUCH better ways of doing it.

-alex

For example, just go out and picking up a C5 Z06. You'll go a lot faster, with a lot less headaches and money spent. You'll already be $10000 ahead with the Vette before you even start modding a Toyobaru.

[DarkSunrise]

I wonder if cooling would be an issue for an LSx track car. It's already a bit of a problem with a FI FA20.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

I wonder if cooling would be an issue for an LSx track car. It's already a bit of a problem with a FI FA20.

Quite likely if he doesn't size the fluid radiators correctly. There are many thousands of people in this country that know the sizes he'll need, so he should be good to go on that front at least.

I wonder if he'll need a dry sump. Vorshlag can get him squared-away as far as that goes.

[bimmer635csi]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

I wonder if cooling would be an issue for an LSx track car. It's already a bit of a problem with a FI FA20.

The LSx engines hold a lot more oil and water than the FA20 does, so that reduces (note: does not eliminate) heat issues especially because it would be pulling around a lot less weight and frontal area.

[Jawnathin]

Really like the FA20 Subaru used in our 86s but LSx engines have the best blend of size, weight, reliability, and performance. FA20 has its benefits of a lower COG/form factor, but LSx engines are pretty compact and light too.

Even if you can get an FA20 to a comparable HP level as an LS engine, I'd still take the LS engine for reliability reasons. A stock LSx is going to make as much/more as a a highly strung FI FA20. In addition to high reliability and performance, with the NA LSx you won't have to deal with heatsoak, turbo lag, inconsistencies or anything else that FI brings along with it.

Would I swap an LSx into an 86? Probably not, its a lot of work and money, would be better off buying a factory LS car to begin with (C5 Z06 has been the best bang for the buck for a very long time). But if it was as easy as checking off an option box and accepting delivery, I'd strongly consider it if I was seeking that level of performance.

[Jawnathin]

Originally Posted by DarkSunrise

I wonder if cooling would be an issue for an LSx track car. It's already a bit of a problem with a FI FA20.

An NA LSx will almost certainly run cooler than an FI FA20.

NA FTW

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Jawnathin

Even if you can get an FA20 to a comparable HP level as an LS engine, I'd still take the LS engine for reliability reasons.

This.

The relative lack of fussiness has a lot going for it. Then there's the sound!

[Deep Six]

Although I am a huge fan of LS motors, I just don't see this being a smart path unless you're sitting on a broken FA or you " just gotta have a V8". Going from 160 whp to 200 whp with the requisite tire, brake and suspension upgrades yields huge reduction in lap times. Going to 300 whp with a conservative E85 FI tune will make it even quicker but won't gain as much as the former. Breaking the bank on a transplanted V8 and tranny package will make the car even faster but the gains on a circuit compared to the FI FA motor would be VERY driver dependent and limited only to specific tracks with straights long enough to take advantage of the additional power.

All that being said, we all know that shit breaks, especially in a track environment so if I ever have a catastrophic failure it will be a tough call between a built FA replacement versus the V8.

[Food]

Crawford has used 285s in the rear under stock fenders, no pull, no roll, 9.5" et38. And also 275 square on other occasions (which many here in ft86club already have shown/done successfully).

Great for LSx swaps or other high hp FI FA setups

[s2d4]

Originally Posted by Food

Crawford has used 285s in the rear under stock fenders, no pull, no roll, 9.5" et38. And also 275 square on other occasions (which many here in ft86club already have shown/done successfully).

Great for LSx swaps or other high hp FI FA setups

Lol, how many times have you been banned and came back again?

You may try Foodbro, Foodfriend, Foodmate, Foodboy etc.

[D K]

Quirt is that you?

[Captain Snooze]

At the local track a few months ago I saw LSx swapped (older) 5 series BMW. (F**k me it was fast. It was a dedicated track car,gutted,totally worked over.) I really liked the comment the owner made about the BMW Club not liking his car because "it wasn't a BMW". This made me laugh. I love it when the purists get upset.

[Captain Snooze]

Originally Posted by Food

....anyone else agree and think the same? (..in that, getting a used Cayman/911/996 instead of doing a $25k LSx swap, is a good/better choice)?

As has been suggested in another thread it is not just about the money, power or practicality. It's about having something that's different that you have done to your car.