Identifying an LS1 or LS2?

[Melchett]

Hello,

I have been watching the forum for some time while a find a Monaro, and I have, sort of, so this is my first post. Be gentle.

Can somebody tell me if it is possible to distinguish between the LS1 and LS2 engines (other than the big plastic cover)? I dont suppose the engine number start LS1 or LS2? Any extra sticky out bits that may identify them?

I have just put a deposit on an 05 VXR, apparently its an LS2 but the dealer says the V5 has it down as the 5.7. They also say this was a mistake by GM and forgot to tell the DVLA when moving to the 6.0l engine. I just want to make sure I have got a pukka 6.0l LS2 VXR. Has anyone else heard of this issue with the V5?

Cheers

[racebreed1]

not sure about engine but if its a 05 VXR with bonnet snorts and rear spoiler, skirts etc then it will be a LS2

i have been wrong before though!

check on the build plate see if that says anything

[anonymous-user]

sounds like rubbish to me! Assuming nobody has swapped the engine or stuck VXR badges on the easiest way to tell is to look at the rest of the car, if it has 2 sets of exhausts (one each side) and a tiny boot you have a VZ VXR which comes with the LS2 6.0

[Melchett]

Ah, so the only Mons to have the LS2 engine have the small boot aswell?

[crisisjez]

BUT... if it has headers rather than a cast manifold, a big boot and a single side exhaust and VXR badging, it could be an 04 VXR 5.7. ( Which would in all probability be 05 Reg)

That car`s a keeper as they are getting quite rare.

Edited by crisisjez on Friday 17th October 13:42

[Melchett]

Hmmm, im told its an 05 plate, so I guess its not a rare one.

[anonymous-user]

Melchett said:

Ah, so the only Mons to have the LS2 engine have the small boot aswell?

VZ CV8 has a small boot and is an LS1, what you need to look for is:

Small boot + VXR badging & body kit = LS2

Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 17th October 13:48

[crisisjez]

Melchett said:

Hmmm, im told its an 05 plate, so I guess its not a rare one.

Could still be as the 04 refers to build date in OZ.

Check to see if the words HSV are on any ID plates in the engine bay together with a build number.
If there is its either a 5.7 or 6.0 VXR.


You can also get a small boot LS1 engined CV8 on an 05 reg so the boots not definitive, nor are the nostrils as some have had them fitted.

If you have have the Letters HSV in the engine bay and a big boot its the 5.7 if you have the letters HSV and a small boot its a 6.0.

No HSV its a 5.7 CV8 regardless of boot size.

Edited by crisisjez on Friday 17th October 13:56

[Melchett]

Right, got it. Thanks for spelling it out chaps. Ive never heard of these sorts of problems with the V5.

[Magic919]

My last motorbike had the wrong engine size on the V5. Had to get a letter from the manufacturer to get DVLA to change it.

[tim the pool man]

Melchett said:

Hmmm, im told its an 05 plate, so I guess its not a rare one.

Oh FFS!!

How can you possibly expect to tell what spec it is from the numberplate?

Just because it was first licenced in 05, it could be an early 04 V2 or a late 04 or even 05 VZ.

The only cars to have the LS2 are the VZ HSV (VXR)

[wolfracer]

Come on Tim, is that all you've got!
Would have though this thread would have had you
ETA
My VIN Plate says Model VZ8xxxxxxxx, Engine LS1. Clear enough to me! Don't the HSV models state this?

Edited by wolfracer on Friday 17th October 15:16

[racebreed1]

tim the pool man said:

Melchett said:

Hmmm, im told its an 05 plate, so I guess its not a rare one.

Oh FFS!!

How can you possibly expect to tell what spec it is from the numberplate?

Just because it was first licenced in 05, it could be an early 04 V2 or a late 04 or even 05 VZ.

The only cars to have the LS2 are the VZ HSV (VXR)

as i have said before people in this country generally take the reg plate as when it was manufactured we are not used to buying a car which has sat in a field for ages before it was registered.

[ivanj]

Throttle

LS1=Cable
Ls2=Electronic

[Melchett]

racebreed1 said:

tim the pool man said:

Melchett said:

Hmmm, im told its an 05 plate, so I guess its not a rare one.

Oh FFS!!

How can you possibly expect to tell what spec it is from the numberplate?

Just because it was first licenced in 05, it could be an early 04 V2 or a late 04 or even 05 VZ.

The only cars to have the LS2 are the VZ HSV (VXR)

as i have said before people in this country generally take the reg plate as when it was manufactured we are not used to buying a car which has sat in a field for ages before it was registered.

Exactly...

[anonymous-user]

ivanj said:

Throttle

LS1=Cable
Ls2=Electronic

Afraid not, VZ CV8 has an electronic throttle and that's an LS1.

[tim the pool man]

Melchett said:

racebreed1 said:

tim the pool man said:

Melchett said:

Hmmm, im told its an 05 plate, so I guess its not a rare one.

Oh FFS!!

How can you possibly expect to tell what spec it is from the numberplate?

Just because it was first licenced in 05, it could be an early 04 V2 or a late 04 or even 05 VZ.

The only cars to have the LS2 are the VZ HSV (VXR)

as i have said before people in this country generally take the reg plate as when it was manufactured we are not used to buying a car which has sat in a field for ages before it was registered.

Exactly...

Exactly what?

I know how the stupid system works, and I know that it only exists so you can play the dumb keeping ahead of the neighbours game.

What I said about being unable to tell the spec from the licence plate is 100% correct.

[anonymous-user]

but to our novice new friend it doesn't help one bit. All he's got to go on is the year on the reg plate. What he wants to know is how he can tell the difference.

There are some dealers in this country trying to sell 2007-registered Monaros at a premium as one year-old cars. You may not agree with it but that's the way it works.

[Boosted LS1]

wormus said:

ivanj said:

Throttle

LS1=Cable
Ls2=Electronic

Afraid not, VZ CV8 has an electronic throttle and that's an LS1.

Then OP could look at the cylinder head casting numbers instead? 243 would indiucate an ls2. Also, doesn't the ls2 come with a shiney fuel rail as opposed to the ls1's matt black rail? LS1 engines are usually die cast and were shiney in appearance whereas an ls2 will be sandcast and have a matt grey rough finish. Lastly the cam sensor and knock sensors are relocated on later engines.

[granada203028]

04 CV8 LS1 5.7 333pS MM6 3.46
04 VXR LS1 5.7 387pS MM6 3.70 not an LS6?
05 CV8 LS1 5.7 354pS MM6 3.46 (UK)
05 CV8 LS1 5.7 354pS M12 3.46 (Oz)
05 VXR LS2 6.0 397pS M12 3.46

Edited by granada203028 on Friday 17th October 17:09

Edited by granada203028 on Friday 17th October 17:13