Large-eddy simulation (LES) of a liquid-fueled lean-direct injection (LDI) combustor is carried out by resolving the entire inlet flow path through the swirl vanes and the combustor. A localized dynamic subgrid closure is combined with a subgrid mixing and combustion model so that no adjustable parameters are required. The inflow spray is specified by a Kelvin-Helmholtz (or aerodynamic) breakup model and compared with LES without breakup, where the incoming spray is approximated using measured data just downstream of the injector. Overall, both time-averaged gas and droplet velocity predictions compare well with the measured data. The major impact of breakup is on fuel evaporation in the vicinity of the injector. Further downstream, a broad spectrum of drop sizes are recovered by the breakup simulation and produces spray quality, as in the no-breakup case. It is shown that the vortex breakdown bubble (VBB) is smaller with more intense reverse flow when there is heat release. The swirling shear layer plays a major role in spray dispersion and the VBB provides an efficient flame-holding mechanism to stabilize the flame. Unsteady features such as the efficient dispersion of the spray by the precessing vortex core (PVC) are well captured. Flame structure analysis using the Takeno flame index shows the presence of a diffusion flame in the central portion, whereas premixed burning mode is observed farther away. Instantaneous thermochemical states of fuel-air mixing and oxidation indicate significant departure from the gaseous diffusion limits, consistent with earlier observations. Additionally, particle-particle and particle-gas correlations are analyzed and discussed. (c) 2007 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.