Joseph Potak

After nearly 20 years of production, the GM LS series engine is wildly popular today. Not only have these engines proven to be durable and reliable but they are also a fantastic platform for modification and for swapping in older chassis. With millions of used engines in salvage yards, the available number of cores or assembled engines for a reasonable price has never been higher. While General Motors has updated the platform repeatedly over the last two decades, usually a good thing, the sheer number of changes has created an environment that it is really confusing to the average hobbyist. With these engines being very modern, the concept of what fits with what is beyond the scope for most without some serious help. In LS Engine Parts Interchange: 1997-Present, LS author and expert Joseph Potak talks you through the myriad of options when looking at this complex platform.Text covers engine blocks, crankshafts and rotating assemblies, cylinder heads and valvetrain for both cathedral port and rectangular port heads, camshafts and componentry including VVT technology, oiling systems, induction and injection, electronics and engine controls, superchargers, external engine accessories, and more. Before jumping into a swap, selecting a salvage yard motor, choosing a crate motor, converting Gen III heads to Gen IV, or swapping any components for performance improvements, make sure you have this book handy. It will prove to be a valuable resource for years to come.

In GM LS-Series Engines: The Complete Swap Manual 2nd Edition, expert technician Joseph Potak walks you through all the steps involved in installing an LS engine into any project vehicle, from concept to completion.Variants of General Motor’s groundbreaking family of LS engines are installed in everything from mundane Chevrolet panel vans to the earth-shaking Corvette Z06. Released in 1997, the original LS1, and its numerous successors have proven powerful, reliable, and amazingly flexible.Performance enthusiasts embraced this remarkable V-8, and it quickly became a favorite for engine swaps into project vehicles ranging from classic muscle cars to hot rods to race cars. Why? Because the versatile LS offers fantastic power, a compact design, light weight, and it responds very well to performance modifications. The key to this performance is a sophisticated electronics package demystified here by the author.In GM LS-Series Engines: The Complete Swap Manual 2nd Edition, professional LS-series engine specialist Joseph Potak details all the considerations involved in performing this swap into any vehicle. With clear instructions, color photos, diagrams, and specification tables, Potak guides you through:Installing your LS engineConfiguring the EFI systemDesigning fuel and exhaust systemsSourcing the correct accessories for your applicationTransmissions, torque converters, and clutchesPerformance upgrades and power-addersThis is the ultimate guide to installing an LS in your project car.

When first introduced in the 1997 Corvette, GM's LS1 engine shook the performance world. Its combination of massive power, light weight and impressive fuel economy set new precedents for performance engines--and continues to do so generation after generation. The latest version, the LS9, makes some 638 hp from just 6.2 liters, far eclipsing even the mightiest big-blocks from the muscle car era--while meeting modern standards for emissions and fuel economy. It's no wonder, then, that the LSX engines have become some of the most popular for high-performance applications. For those who want to build or modify their LS engine, this book provides the most detailed and extensive instructions ever offered. Whatever your performance goals might be, How to Build and Modify GM LS-Series Engines shows you what modifications are needed and how to make them. Premier LS engine technician Joseph Potak addresses every question that might come up, covering topics including crankshafts and piston assemblies, cylinder heads, camshafts, valvetrain, block modifications, intake manifolds, fuel system, header selection, and setting up ring and bearing clearances for particular uses. In short, this book is the ultimate resource for building the ultimate LSX engine.