Are our LTG engines fragile?

[Regal_84]

So I’ve been doing some looking around and reading about the LTG engine and mods for it. The majority of mods are for rwd LTG Camaros and Cadillacs, but there’s still some stuff for us.

Anyways in my reading I’ve discovered that our engines are basically race engines.
LTG article about its specs.

However while looking at a turbo on zzp’s website, it said “due to the fragility of the LTG engine, we don’t recommend installing this without beefing up your lower end.”

Is the LTG fragile? It’s got a forged crank and rods? I know the pistons are fragile, but is the whole engine?

For the record, I’m not modding this car crazily. Was just browsing. I ordered a trifecta tune and that will probably be it. I’m going to dump my money into a mustang or LS engine project instead. I’ll keep this car peppy and pretty decent for getting to work and back.

 

[afireinside7710]

the '14s and some '15s have the lesser pistons, but that doesnt mean that the '15s and up are bulletproof. I think zzp is covering their ass with the LTGs because of the '14s and '15s.

Part of me thinks a good chunk of LTG piston failures are due to people putting sub 91 octane in their cars and driving them hard. I dont care what anyone says, put premium in your turbo car.

 

[Sam14GS]

I dont care what anyone says, put premium in your turbo car.

100% agree !!!!! 💪

 

[ken4]

I don't care what anyone says, put premium in your turbo car.

With gas prices high I thought about putting mid grade in the car but I did not do it. I bought the car new and it has had Top Tier Premium used in it always.

 

[Regal_84]

Thanks guys. I only run top tier premium myself. I can’t say what the previous two owners ran, but they kept meticulous care of the car and records, so I’d bet they used premium as well. I hope…

 

[ken4]

I also heard somewhere that the engine should be warmed up for at least 5 minutes before using full power and that is something that I have also done. I also avoid beating on the car and going over 5,000 rpm.

 

[afireinside7710]

I also heard somewhere that the engine should be warmed up for at least 5 minutes before using full power and that is something that I have also done. I also avoid beating on the car and going over 5,000 rpm.

one would think any non-economy turbo car would need to get warmed up before really getting into boost

 

[Sam14GS]

I also heard somewhere that the engine should be warmed up for at least 5 minutes before using full power and that is something that I have also done. I also avoid beating on the car and going over 5,000 rpm.

Correct ! I also read somewhere that the oil temp should be at normal operating temp before any high rpm.

 

[Malo83]

The LTG is a great engine, but just like every other engine you'll get a few bad ones, I don't baby my GS but I don't abuse it either, 5K oil changes and top tier premium and she's good to go, my GS is a garage queen and only driven on long highway trips of an hour or more, not interested in a Tune as she runs fine the way she is. 😉

 

[r3volution]

The LTG is "pretty much" a race engine.It comes stock with the parts and features I dreamed of for my engines over the years!
Mine has 107k miles on it. still solid - 28-32 mpg, no oil burn, no noises.
Think about this :
The LTG engine is in thousands of cars and suvs, driven by the general public.
Many run 87 octane, dont understand or allow warmup, push the limits of the fluids and they are fine. Im not reading about big failures -or seeing smoking LTG powered rides on the side of the highway.....
Most people on a forum such as this are MUCH more attentive to care.. (And into cars)
And speaking for me - maybe too much so!! lol
Just use common sense and drive. You good.

 

[r3volution]

I will add that I have tried a few tanks of 87 octane, 89 , 91/93
The main difference I notice is cost of the fuel. (maybe a few hp more but no MPG advantage or dis advantage.
Notice I said "tried" these lesser fuels. As in experiment.
That said....
Im mentally OK paying $.40-.60 cents a gallon more for 93 here.
It costs me approx $8 a tank more... for peace of mind??
Thats cheap!

 

[MKz2017PremII]

Gas prices are coming down, thank goodness!

 

[Tcapper]

We bought our '17 AWD about 8 months ago with higher mileage, we run 89 octane but on any long trips we use 91 octane, with the price of gas here, I really don't want to mortgage my house to run my vehicles. LOL. The car has run flawlessly and we don't abuse it. I don't think the occasional 100 MPH is gonna hurt it with 89. I religiously change the oil at 5000 KM (3100 miles) with 5W30 Dexos full synthetic. When we went on a 3000 KM trip we used 91 and the only thing I noticed with the car was better gas mileage. Computers nowadays are pretty good at setting injection points and timing. I can't speak on a tune kit, but little bit of maintenance goes a long way in helping to keep the car running. Just my $.02.