It is hard to find good info as to why the LS are so good. I have found a bunch of fan boys that say it just is. This is a great explanation from someone who built and tested a lot Gen1s and LS motors. I have put together a few circle track motors back in the day and I do not remember anyone honing a cylinder head gasket or bolting on a plate to simulate the torque of the head bolts. I don't even remember anyone mentioning it as a "thing" high end engines get. That is really the next level. I also like how he mentioned matching up parts, that is time less, even in the 80's I can remember buying the part with the "most" hp gains and then being pissed when their car felt slower.

 

it may be there lasting longer puting out more hp each year ,but theres no doubt some lt1 engines went the distence too,an good ones money there alot less to buy used ones ,in some case the price one asks for an ls1 ,one might as well buy the whole car ,$4000.00 i have seen on some used with 120.000 miles ,i think its just alot of fans ,mabey some better seals ,among other things ,i would like to try one out,yes just confirmed one 106k $4000.00 .now for $5000.00 the ss i had seen with 86.000 that was a deal,it was gone fast too,so i guess i would not have to replace the engine in one of those as the cost could be above a desent used one for a few more bucks too,i thinks thats the downfall of an ls1 ,but at the same time if one shops i am sure one can find a deal ,i have seen a few zs8s ss with ls1 engines for sale with no engine with low miles an perfect shape couse they found either a donor for another car ,or sold the engine an trans seperate for more money,some people will pay outrageous amounts for an ls1 engine ,guess we all spend to much on something in out lifetime ,like my set up ,will take about 4 years to pay for ,but i am not done either oh well i think when you find that one worth keeping its all that matters ,it paid for itself one time why not 2 times 3 times ,that how cars get to be 60 years old in great shape ,couse they were cared for too