The 98 Formula I owned, which had the LS1 engine, needed no additives in the oil or the fuel in order to get it to run right. I had no consumption issues or piston slap with that engine. It ran very strongly in the quarter mile (12.68 at 110.6mph with just basic mods, nothing done to the engine internally either) so there was no evidence of any carbon buildup in it either.
I hope I have similar luck when I purchase a 97 Corvette in a few years.
So don't go thinking all of these engines are bad. [/QB][/QUOTE]
Patman, I have the same experiences as you. I bought my 2000 Firebird new in 2000. I now have 40K "HARD" miles on it. It has well over 100 {likely near 200} 1/4 mile passes, somewhere around 50 or so AutoX passes and way too much play in the N.Ga. mountains. Heck, everytime I drive the car, I take it to redline.
To date the worst oil consumption hase been a bit over a qrt. or so in around 7000 miles or so if I remember right. On that interval, there were plenty of AutoXs, 1/4 mile runs and play on the street {included around 10 laps at Bristol Motor Speedway, like being in a fishbowl
The average consumption is well under a qrt in 7500 miles. I have only added oil once during a oil change interval. Believe it or not, I've ran M1 0W30 since it's third oil change at around 4K miles. My last change, I went with 0W40 with what appears to be the same results-no oil consumption.
The best pure stock time was a 13.46@104mph at Bristol in 90 degree weather. I believe that if the track was at sea level and the temps were in the 60-70 degree range,,,the times would have been around a 13 flat and the mph would have been up near 109 or so.
Later I did a 12.96@109mph with only a aftermarket airlid and some free mod stuff. Now my best has been a 12.59@111mph with the lid, 4.10 gears in the axle, underdrive pulley and ET Streets. BTW, I get around 28-29mpg on the highway and somewhere around 18-20 normal driving.
Not too bad for a car that cost me 26K$ and change out the door. That included a 4K$ Firehawk option. Plenty Z28s and Formulas sold for 22K$ or less.
I just think that if {on a whole} other manufacturers engines were treated like that, they endeed may show many of the same traits as the LS1. You never get something for nothing. When you buy a LS1, you are getting a car that can do low 13s, run 160mph, handle decently and has to get remarkable fuel mileage for it's displacement.
I will admit though, if I paid 50K$ for a Vette,,,,it had better not have piston slap or excessive oil consumption in "normal" driving. I could deal with it in a 20K$ Z28.
