500 hp and 500 tq is just that regardless of what made it.... I seem to have to explain that over and over to people that don't get it. Especially on the oft asked question - "Why didn't you put a Ford in your Ford?". LS motors are the latest greatest darling... and they're super nice motors... and they're LIGHTER than the same HP/TQ SBC... so they have some pluses.
I spend a LOT of time at my buddies dyno. Funny what you hear about motors and stuff hanging around like that. One of the things Rick and I always shake our heads about - and people don't ever discuss etc -- is the RATE at which a motor increases in RPMs per second. A motor that is really wingin' it has an amazing rate of increase... We've laughed at other motors where the combo just isn't on the money... and while they "made the number" the owner is looking for... they'll get their asses handed to them racing. It's why my 406 old skool motor was built using the Honda rod journal size crank. Yeah it's 406 ci - but the snap this motor has compared to a 406 with more rotational mass will just blow you away. Everyone always just wants to talk heads and cam. It's more than that...
Just sayin' - nothing wrong with the LT motor... built right.