Engine choice selection
 

Hey guys and girls, I have been lurking around a bit in search of some ideas and answers.
I am looking to get into my first build and I'd like to go with a mid-sixties Chevelle or a mid-sixties to early 70's Nova for a pro-touring style build. Mostly street, a little track fun sometimes.
Which brings me to my primary question: which engine to go with?
I am thinking an LS3 or LS7, the catch being I want to build the engine myself over time to get the experience then acquire one of the cars. When I have the money for a proper donor.
Thoughts and suggestions on going this route? my primary motivation is to keep costs low and gain the knowledge and experience, should I be worried about trying get one of these motors in either of these cars? I know it'll take some work, but should I be really worried about it? Thanks in advance everyone!

LS is a great way to go, but going to be more money than a standard small block usually. The LS3 is fairly expensive , at least as compared to the LS1 and LS2, and the LS7 would be the most expensive of all to build. Most guys on a budget lean towards the LQ4/9 iron block 6.0 liter motors. Much less expensive to buy used and will make the same power as a comparable aluminum engine.

Jody thanks for the quick response.

I'd like to go with the aluminum LS for weight, and performance. I found some brand-new LS cores in my budget.

In the next couple of days I'll be putting together a parts list for the motor combinations and see where the prices lay.

I'm hoping that by doing the work myself I can go with the LS7 option, but well see haha.

Any experience with putting one of these motors in the previously mentioned cars?

you can get mounts, headers, accessory drive systems, etc. for the cars on your list. I swapped a small block in my 64 Chevelle for a 402 LS2. Pretty much a bolt in as far as getting the engine bolted in. From there it depends on how mild or wild you want to go.

Between and 60's Chevelle and a 70's Nova....Keep in mind that when it comes time to sell, the Chevelle will bring more money. It's alot harder to get good money for a Nova.

I'm not considering selling the vehicle, when I get it I'm going to keep it. I'll just build a collection :)