shake
I read on a Corvette website that the engineers who built the LS1s went to great lengths to minimalize the "Shaking" that the engines do. The fact that the blocks and heads are aluminum alloy and lighter than cast iron means that there is less weight in the assembly to "smooth out" the shakes. I found the information on the engineering that went into the engines by doing a google search on LS1 engines. I recommend doing a little research in this area, as I gained some respect for the engine that is the heart of my new car. I'll try to add the link here :
http://www.idavette.net/hib/ls1c.html I hope it works.
I haven't read anything about what kind of piston rings are in our LS1s, but I suspect that part of the reason they are running progressively smoother, is that the rings are breaking in and the compression is coming up to the range where it is supposed to be, this would also explain why we are getting progressively better gas milage as we log more miles on the engine.
Another thing I have wondered about is the quality of the stock spark plugs. It is my suspicion that the spark plugs may be contributing to the shakes through random misfires at idle.
Sometimes my engine doesn't seem to shake at all, and at other times it is very pronounced. However, it does seem to like being taken out for a hard drive, as it seems to run smoother afterward.
The quality of the gas you use can also play a huge role in whether you will get misfires. Cheap gas is not worth the savings. You get what you pay for, especially when consumers aren't kept informed as to what additives are being used by what gas companies at which times of year, etc.. Some companies are giving us "Gasahol," without letting us know what we are getting. What is in fuel can change constantly, if you can find a gas station that consistently delivers the fuel that your car seems to like, my advice is to stick to that station.
A great deal of money, talent, and technology went into the design of the LS1, but they are not the "Perfect" engine.
These are my thoughts on the subject. You are welcome to take what makes sense to you. I don't think it would be possible to eliminate the shaking all the time, as there are too many variables to keep up with.
I hope you enjoy your car as much as I do mine. :cheers
Maximental