Making the LS Engine Greener and Cleaner
The LS small block engine is one of the best-known and popular motors around. Even if it's not one of the more environmentally friendly designs out there, lots of things can be done to improve its relationship with nature.
1. Using E85 fuel over regular gasoline
The latter incarnations of the LS small block offer a degree of fuel compatibility. This is a godsend for anyone looking to squeeze a bit more efficiency out of the vehicle, provided they have the proper access to the fuel. E85 fuel is a viable alternative to gasoline. It's generally cheaper than gas and incurs a lesser degree of exhaust emissions. This 15% gas, 85% ethanol blend would be a match made in heaven, but because it's only applicable to fuel flex vehicles, it's not found as easily as gas. E85 fuel is nonetheless a great potential alternative for any LS user and will be depended on more greatly in the future as it catches on.
2. The Ecotec Initiative
Short for "Emissions Control Optimization Technology", General Motors have an entire family of related technologies innovated with the specific purpose of improving the LS engine's environmental rating. The title is used as a sort of combo package to denote that certain features have been implemented in the given engine's design to maximize its eco-friendliness. Although this applies to a host of engines that GM has invented, its relevance to the LS line is especially clear with the Ecotec3 title, found on all fifth generation LS engines. Cylinder deactivation and continuously variable valve timing are a couple of the features entailed in this batch, all with the intent of optimizing the standard parts.
3. E-ROD engine swap.
The E-ROD engine swap was a move designed by General Motors to account for the known disagreements between some trucks and emissions regulations. Although newer trucks are designed with the governmental limits in mind, classic and custom trucks can be known to break a rule or two, often pushing the smog just over the line. The E-Road crate engine was designed with compatibility in mind. Engine swaps can be tricky, particularly when it comes to older models. Based on the LS3 engine and offering lower emissions at no cost to the performance, the E-Rod demonstrates how innovation can be forged out from limitations.
4. The L8B and other soft hybrid models.
A mild, or "soft hybrid" version of an engine means that an electric motor is included in order to take over minor things, most notably for a vehicle's general engine startup process and power of the various accessorized features like interior lighting. The L8B from the LS fifth generation is a redone version of the L83 EcoTec3 5.3L, given added slight hybrid adjustments to account for the little things. Altogether, the L8B's fresh configuration can improve a given vehicle's fuel economy by 13%. The L8B comes with a .45-KWH lithium ion battery pack, but the added weight is well made up for by the improvements in efficiency. From 2016 onwards, the L8B engine has been seen in the Chevrolet Silverado.
5. Tweaking the rest of the vehicle around it.
Like most things in life, a fine LS engine is defined at least in part by its context. If you want to know how much juice you'll get out of an engine, you need to take a look at the traits of the vehicle's other components, from its weight to the shape and everything in between. The same applies to an engine's efficiency. If you want to get a better environmental result from your engine, it helps to give it a better situation to work with. Looking to improve your engine's fuel economy? Reduce weight in your vehicle. Replace the tires with new ones. Proper engineering means taking into consideration the way each component affects the next.
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