so far we have 135 views and only 16 - 17 votes. come on vote, your vote could help me deside sell my sbc parts and buy an LS motor over magnacharger. i was thinking of doing the 400 sbc. id also like to see pics of your engine bays .thanks anthony

Anthony perhaps if you outlined your goals, HP,TRQ, and Use it would encouraged people to respond.

Cause its pretty much a no brainier if you want a 600 hp car with good drive ability the clear choice is LS.
If you goal is sub 575 lets say and its a limited use car then its a new discussion. I have milled this over so many times on paper and in my head while making this decision myself

The ultimate in my opinion is either an injected big block or a LSX. LSX is really reliable cheap power.

Todd I dont know but often wonder what the weight difference is between the vatious motors. I assume a BB is a could hundred pounds heavier.

If its not. I just saw a Procharged BB here for dirt cheap... lots of potential there

i am making the car a pro touring car with stance and handling take it to the local car show etc drive it on weekends. i estamite the 400 when built would make around 450 hp not too agressive and a supercharger would make around 560-580 hp. i have a new roller comp cam.edlebrock etek 200 heads. but with the cost of the supercharger machine shop cost. could still get a LS motor from frank at gp. that my dilemna. thanks Anthony

Very common delema. keep in mind that at those levels your pushing a stock block. Under boost .. your asking for a headache. I was in the exact same spot.

Here is my plan sold the heads, intake carb MSD hearders and various other SBS stuff, also sold the Bell housing, seling the trans (4 spd) end of day made around 2k.

Phase 1 GTO drop out 6k 400 very reliable HP, Phase 2 magna charger, 550-600 very reliable hp. Not pushing the limits of the hardware.

Now if you were to lower you HP numbers then you can be safe at the 500 hp mark.. For you edescribe use that is a good number and very achievable with you Gen1.

My advise start with the motor with the most potential the LS

In my book, your wasting your time and money with what is avalible today by building a SBC. LSX unless you just need big block torque. I doubt you will ever see an LSX out do and big block. no replacement for displacement. Except in mileage.

Just remember that the LSX has about 50 years of engineering development over the first gen. Improvements on all fronts. Think of where TV's were 50 years ago compared to today. Which would you choose?

This is what I have to say,

Three years ago when I started my motor setup there was very little in the aftermarket parts area, even valve covers were few and far between. I hate the way that a LSX looks stock. so I went with a SBC and a procharger, EFI. I like it, but if I was to build a something today, I would just get a tricked out LS7 with a bunch of sheet metal parts and call it a day.

i agree 100 percent stock ls1 look like sh!t i think i hate the factory intake manifolds and coil setup unless they are moved. BUt dressed up they look bitchin and deliver excellant power.