LS2 or L76

[Lofty]

What is the best option? Either buy a VE SS with a L76 or the VZ HSV.

Will the LS2 always Have better power and torque figures than the L76 with just the usually bolt on mods?

[VooDoo]

The L76 is a LS2 bottom end with a crap cam and better heads from the L92 truck. If it was me id get the L76. 300rwkw cam only shouldnt be hard at all. There is a big thread around here somewhere about the differances

[Dacious]

L76 uses same Gen IV block, nodular iron crank vs LS2 forged steel, lower rev limit, unfinished ports in heads of similar port shape to LS7 - not necessarily better flowing stock than LS2. L76 has larger inlets by 1mm. LS2 has LS6 heads with hand finished ports and higher compression. It is not widely known whether the DoD-design valve gear is compromised for higher rpm/bigger cam lift operation. Then there's the milder cam/not as good valve springs and possibly other differences.

I don't think we've seen any figures of a worked L76 to substantiate that it will be better, mod for mod, than an LS2. It's starting off 50hp short. It will probably be easier to get 50 hp out of as it's in a milder state of tune, but if the LS2 picks up only 20 he's still in front. If you were to use a blower/turbo, maybe the L76 is a more suitable candidate because of lower compression.

[Swordie]

I would wait for the VE to release before making a decision? Be ready to negotiate on a run out VZ as it will take a few weeks for them to clear.

[Drewie]

L76 uses same Gen IV block, nodular iron crank vs LS2 forged steel, lower rev limit, unfinished ports in heads of similar port shape to LS7 - not necessarily better flowing stock than LS2. L76 has larger inlets by 1mm. LS2 has LS6 heads with hand finished ports and higher compression. It is not widely known whether the DoD-design valve gear is compromised for higher rpm/bigger cam lift operation. Then there's the milder cam/not as good valve springs and possibly other differences.

I don't think we've seen any figures of a worked L76 to substantiate that it will be better, mod for mod, than an LS2. It's starting off 50hp short. It will probably be easier to get 50 hp out of as it's in a milder state of tune, but if the LS2 picks up only 20 he's still in front. If you were to use a blower/turbo, maybe the L76 is a more suitable candidate because of lower compression.

Dacious - what material is the LS1 crank made from, nodular iron or forged?

[strife]

I thought they where all cast nodular

[Oztrack Tuning]

Just get an LS1 and some heads ported and increase comp to 10.7:1 with smart choice of cam. Then you wont be very far away at all from either of the above engines when fitted with the same level of cam.

The advantage is you will have money to spend on other things. ....just a thought.

[clubzls2]

What is the best option? Either buy a VE SS with a L76 or the VZ HSV.

Will the LS2 always Have better power and torque figures than the L76 with just the usually bolt on mods?


Depends on price,
If the ve ss is cheaper then the Vz HSV,it would make more sense to purchase one and have current model status.
If the Hsv runout is cheaper then the ve ss,then it would represent a goodbuy as your getting a hsv,ls2 etc at a good price.
Although everyone of late is rapping up the L76,its hard to see it beat a LS2(bolt on ) in power figures with any bolt on stuff.
Probably a cammed L76 will make more then a bolt on LS2 but then thats not a level playing field either.

[Whizza]

go the hsv you will always have better resale value and that bit more class :stick:

[Phonsy]

The LS2 does not have hand finished ports or a forged steel crank.
The L76 Heads will easily outflow the LS2 Heads.

Bolt on only we are pretty sure the LS2 will make more power than the L76. This is not confirmed as we have not finished our L76 testing.

If both motors used the same camshaft we would have our money on the L76.

We will be updating our testing in our sponsor section with new results and 1/4 mile times.:driving:

Cheers Phonsy


L76 uses same Gen IV block, nodular iron crank vs LS2 forged steel, lower rev limit, unfinished ports in heads of similar port shape to LS7 - not necessarily better flowing stock than LS2. L76 has larger inlets by 1mm. LS2 has LS6 heads with hand finished ports and higher compression. It is not widely known whether the DoD-design valve gear is compromised for higher rpm/bigger cam lift operation. Then there's the milder cam/not as good valve springs and possibly other differences.

I don't think we've seen any figures of a worked L76 to substantiate that it will be better, mod for mod, than an LS2. It's starting off 50hp short. It will probably be easier to get 50 hp out of as it's in a milder state of tune, but if the LS2 picks up only 20 he's still in front. If you were to use a blower/turbo, maybe the L76 is a more suitable candidate because of lower compression.

[Dacious]

It appears you are correct about the crank material - I found the tech article that went through LS2 changes from LS1 and it appears the stock one is nodular iron as per LS1. L92 gets a forged unit. However another intereting point is it appears the L76 also doesn't get the cast in crank windows of the LS2 or L92, either.

It also appears the productionised version of LS6 heads used on the LS2 are not hand finished ports. However, they have the unshrouded valve pockets, larger ports/valves/better springs straight from the LS6, and with smaller chambers for increased comp.

L76 heads are the same basic casting as LS7 heads (all the newer heads are). The valves and spacing of the L76 are smaller to match the smaller bore of the 6.0 and 6.2 litre motor, and L76 ports, like LS2 ports, are as-cast, whereas ports on an LS7 definitely are CNC-machined much larger and mirror-polished. The chambers will also be larger than LS2 for lower compression.

I don't doubt you will get good results from tuning the L76, but you have confirmed an L76 will need more than boltons done to overtake the LS2, which was the original question.