I have a question for everyone and wanted to get some imput on what you all thing.

After reading a bunch of information on 2 of the most powerful engines built factory during our car years 82-92, i see that the winners where the ZR-1 and Firehawk Motors. Each is unique in there own way. One being an OHV and other Over Head Cam. Power numbers are simular and both worth there weight in gold persay.

Im just curious what one you would prefer if you had the chance to get one and install it into your 3rd gen, theoredically ofcourse.

One thing i must say, having a friend who's father had a ZR-1 and going for a ride with him a few years ago i felt that i was in a rocket. The sound was amazing and performance unreal.

Thoughts?

 

LT5 in a heartbeat.
done.

 

Well, seeing as how a honest to god ZR-1 engine is uber expensive and parts are through the roof. I would go with an LS all day long and twice on sundays!!! To hell with overhead cam engines! Pushrods all the way budy. LOL

 

You may have skipped over one, what about the 3.8 turbo Buick engine? It was used in the GN and the mighty TTA. Any third gen (firehawk included) had its hands full trying to keep up with that one! Corvettes of the day, too, with the possible exception of the LT5.

So, if you're dedicated to the V8, I think the LT5 was great. But if you're going for period correctness with bad *** performance, I think the 89 TTA is hard to argue with.

Just my

 

I like my 305 personally.... decent gas mileage and just the right amount of power.......

 

I was just going on by the 2 350's that where around. I know that Grand Nationals and GTA's are crazy fast in there own way and rockets when modified. Friend of mine raced a Grand National in his 5.0 and got it handed to him and his car was making around 400hp.

 

seeing how the lt5 was designed by lotus (which was owned by gm at the time) and the ls series designed by US gm engineers in responce to the lt5. i would go with the ls.

 

LT5 was the craziest design ever made at GM... i'd swap that in for general shock and awe...who cares who designed it or that its expensive.

firehawk is just a cammed L98 with a funky intake manifold.

 

GM spent 10 million dollars and took 10 years in development on the ls series motors, that is the only motor that I would replace my 400 sbc for...when they are all gone

 

you guys are missing the point here.
we are supposed to be comparing engines of the 80's, which is decidedly NOT the LS engine series.
yeah, if you put a LT5 up against an LS9, the LT5 will get destroyed, but the LS9 has over 20 years of engineering on the LT5.
the baddest (v8) engines available during this time period were the LT5 and the Firehawk... these are what we are comparing.

oh, and given the choice between an LS9 and a LT5, id say id take the LT5 if i could only have one. if i could have both, then duh, id have both.

 

my bag. i didn't read the our years part. then it is a no brainer, the lt5!

 

The ZR1's were lighter in weight than the f-bodies and had manual transmissions. I saw several of them run at the dragstrip when they were new and mid 13's at 110+MPH were the norm. The engine is made for higher RPM horsepower instead of low RPM torque like the L98 engine.
Unless you transplant the LT5 into a fairly light vehicle with very similar gear spread in the transmission the performance may not be what you expect.
It's just a thought to consider.

 

So we are talking about a LT5 vs a L98......
in that case I would get the LT5 and sell it and get 2 LS1's..LOL
or get the L98 and call it a day, due to ease and cost of parts and fitting and such.

 

ZR1 all the way.

 

actually the baddest v8's of the time period were the B2K optioned calloway twin turbo vettes. something like 350hp but 520lb ft of torque!! simple boost increase and your seeing well over 400 and outrunning both LT5 and firehawk

 

Not really understanding the original post here. Is it a poll on time period preffered engine transplant options, or something making sense in 2009. If modern, definitely LT-1 or LS series. LT-1's are very tourqey and an easy transplant. LS series are bit more work, but breath way better up high. With cost factored in, probably today's best choices.