LSA weak points - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Solo2 · 03-18-2016, 08:54 PM

I'm looking at buying a high-mileage ZL1. What are the common failure points on the LSA motor? I'm fairly familiar with GM's engines, just not the LSA. Just trying to figure out what to expect.

Sven59 · 03-18-2016, 08:57 PM

The only thing I can think of is the supercharger rattle, but that probably has been fixed. It has been a solid motor, on the car check the struts, they seem to go out early. The rearend if it is making noise, again if yours us high mileage probably already corrected.

URBAN LEGEND · 03-18-2016, 09:15 PM

I don't know about this. Lots of these cars were modded, beat on and brought back to stock for sale. I would go lower mileage.

Sven59 · 03-18-2016, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by URBAN LEGEND

I don't know about this. Lots of these cars were modded, beat on and brought back to stock for sale. I would go lower mileage.

Could have the Vin checked or if it has a maintenance history it might help.

DeSH · 03-18-2016, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solo2

I'm looking at buying a high-mileage ZL1. What are the common failure points on the LSA motor? I'm fairly familiar with GM's engines, just not the LSA. Just trying to figure out what to expect.

What do you consider high mileage?

flatrockguy · 03-18-2016, 09:53 PM

If you send me the VIN I can run it through the GM warranty system to see what history it has.

Bigtime53 · 03-18-2016, 10:40 PM

If you trade or buy a ZL1 and you have been in that Miata you are going to think you died and went to high performance heaven! These cars are tough as it gets and as said above PM the person your vin number and they will check it out and tell you everything that has been done to that car. Good luck!

SnowyCamaro · 03-18-2016, 10:58 PM

For a supercharged motor, they are amazing strength. Ls3 is very good block for supercharging.

That being said gm makes a hell of a lot of v8s. Imo the only things to worry about are supercharger and related components that arent on other v8s (but they are very good, and as much as people are afraid its not that expensive to rebuild a supercharger if need be down the road) and suspension since it has the dynamic mag ride stuff in it.

But you don't need to worry about that stuff cause you will need to be saving money for more tires. They "may" not last too long. This car has a way of slapping on hilarious, huge smile on your face, so much so that you forget how much those roasting tires cost!

Solo2 · 03-18-2016, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeSH

What do you consider high mileage?

100K. Obviously, lots of highway driving. I don't have a vin, but I'll keep the offer in mind. Thanks!

Sven59 · 03-19-2016, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatrockguy

If you send me the VIN I can run it through the GM warranty system to see what history it has.

I was trying to remember who did this, there was a guy on another thread wondering the history of a car. Thanks for doing that!

lbls1 · 03-19-2016, 02:21 PM

None that I know of. The only weakness will be the high mileage. LS motors are very flexible, and the LSA/LS3 and the LS6 seem to be the best examples of the GM all aluminum LS engines.

Nor Cal ZL1 · 03-19-2016, 03:46 PM

Is this a red bay area car?

Solo2 · 03-20-2016, 01:46 AM

No. Why?

@Bigtime53, "Miata" is a little misleading. It is a fully prepped, not street legal, racecar. Stock motor due to class rules.

Nor Cal ZL1 · 03-20-2016, 01:59 AM

Just asking because there is a high mileage stock one in the bay area. It has been very well cared for. I thought maybe he put it up for sale but I guess not.

03-18-2016, 08:54 PM	#1
Solo2 Drives: Miata Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: SFO Posts: 7	LSA weak points I'm looking at buying a high-mileage ZL1. What are the common failure points on the LSA motor? I'm fairly familiar with GM's engines, just not the LSA. Just trying to figure out what to expect.

03-18-2016, 08:57 PM	#2
Sven59 HAMMER PILOT Drives: 13 ZL1#182, 85 CJ7, 16 Silverado Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 4,387	The only thing I can think of is the supercharger rattle, but that probably has been fixed. It has been a solid motor, on the car check the struts, they seem to go out early. The rearend if it is making noise, again if yours us high mileage probably already corrected. __________________ "DO YOU WANT ME TO PUT THE HAMMER DOWN?"

03-18-2016, 09:15 PM	#3
URBAN LEGEND Drives: 20 X3M CP & 19 ZL1 1LE A10 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Brenham, TX Posts: 3,517	I don't know about this. Lots of these cars were modded, beat on and brought back to stock for sale. I would go lower mileage. __________________ 🔺22 RS E TRON GT 🔺21 Model S Plaid

03-18-2016, 10:58 PM	#8
SnowyCamaro Drives: 2013 Camaro ZL1, 2006 Chevy Equinox Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 833	For a supercharged motor, they are amazing strength. Ls3 is very good block for supercharging. That being said gm makes a hell of a lot of v8s. Imo the only things to worry about are supercharger and related components that arent on other v8s (but they are very good, and as much as people are afraid its not that expensive to rebuild a supercharger if need be down the road) and suspension since it has the dynamic mag ride stuff in it. But you don't need to worry about that stuff cause you will need to be saving money for more tires. They "may" not last too long. This car has a way of slapping on hilarious, huge smile on your face, so much so that you forget how much those roasting tires cost! __________________

03-19-2016, 02:21 PM	#11
lbls1 Drives: 2002 Camaro SS SOM; 2015 Malibu LTZ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 4,071	None that I know of. The only weakness will be the high mileage. LS motors are very flexible, and the LSA/LS3 and the LS6 seem to be the best examples of the GM all aluminum LS engines. __________________ '02 CAMARO SS SOM; 5.7L LS1/FLS6B '08 TBSS AWD Black Granite Metallic '15 Malibu LTZ 2LZ Turbo *'14 CAMARO ZL1 Blue Ray Metallic* '25 Silverado 1500 High Country 6.2L

03-18-2016, 09:53 PM	#6
flatrockguy Drives: 2015 Black ZL1 m6, gone 2012 CTS-V Join Date: May 2014 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 225 View My Garage	If you send me the VIN I can run it through the GM warranty system to see what history it has.

03-18-2016, 10:40 PM	#7
Bigtime53 Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,326	If you trade or buy a ZL1 and you have been in that Miata you are going to think you died and went to high performance heaven! These cars are tough as it gets and as said above PM the person your vin number and they will check it out and tell you everything that has been done to that car. Good luck!

03-19-2016, 03:46 PM	#12
Nor Cal ZL1 Drives: 2013 ZL1 M6 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 1,825	Is this a red bay area car?

03-20-2016, 01:46 AM	#13
Solo2 Drives: Miata Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: SFO Posts: 7	No. Why? @Bigtime53, "Miata" is a little misleading. It is a fully prepped, not street legal, racecar. Stock motor due to class rules.

03-20-2016, 01:59 AM	#14
Nor Cal ZL1 Drives: 2013 ZL1 M6 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 1,825	Just asking because there is a high mileage stock one in the bay area. It has been very well cared for. I thought maybe he put it up for sale but I guess not.