SBC, LSx ??? - Lateral-g Forums

deuce_454 · #1 11-19-2006, 07:46 AM

Ok here is a question that is almost impossible to answer. but i am really not sure what to do.. my 80malibu... "project G-force" is going to be my daily driver, except the winter months though. the suspension is global west/ATS with del-alum, bilsteins and 13 inch brakes all round..18 inch compomotive MO motorsports wheels. paint and leather interior is true pro touring style, black topside with charcoal sides and orange pinstripe, black and grey leather with orange stitching and recaro seats..

the engine is a plain jane 140 horse 305!! and thats where i stand now... so what do i do?? remember its a daily driver.. but i still would like to drive to trackdays and be able to exploit the cars full potential.. sitting at my desk it is easy to fall inlove with a horsepower number and fall in love with some 600 Hp crate engine SBC, but what is the clever choice?

is my best bet to get an LS2 from a wrecked GTO with transmission and CPU? they run in the 8-9K range on ebay.. is 400Hp "enough" or will the suspension be able to handle more without heing to hairy? is there a cheaper way of getting an LSx? Is an SL1 from any camaro or firechicken really enough´thet run in the 3000 dollar teritory with transmission on ebay, and then perhaps save up some currage and fit a pair of turbos...

what does an LS2 put out with no cats and a good exhaust and a free flowing filter? and is an SBC with comparable horsepower much less drivable?

also how much will the weight difference affect the handling? how easy is the swap.. ? will i need more than motormounts and a different crossmember or will the OEM headers interfere with everything??

please some input?

black2002ls · #2 11-19-2006, 09:57 AM

Not sure if many people have put the LSX into this chassis. What is your budget, that would be an ultimate factor. For 8 or 9k you could put together a really nice LS1 and a rebuilt tranny. Do you want to go injected or carbed? that will play a LARGE part in what all you would need for a conversion. If you go injected you will need a full engine harness, along with the computer, as well as custom engine mounts, and possibly headers. There are a number of issues that could arise, It all depends on how much work you want to put into it. If you don't want to have to worry about clearance issues, and these issues, and those issues, go with a carbed SBC

However, for driveability, and power production, I don't think you can beat an LSx

deuce_454 · #3 11-19-2006, 10:49 AM

that prety much hit the nail on the head... a carbed SBC is a no brainer swap.. it would talke the better part of an afternoon if i had a friend to assist, and a weekend if i was flying solo.. really only a matter of finding the right engine (still an unanswered question)

but the LSx engine just seems more and more like the smart choice: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/05-GT...48955932QQrdZ1

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2002-...49421171QQrdZ1

and if you can fit a BBC in a g-body there must be room for an LSx engine..

im still wondering what amount of horsepower is right for that car. and what engine is right for that Hp, price, drivability and so on.. with regards to budget.. well if i had to shell out 8 or 9K for the right engine then thats not impossible. im just trying to figure out whats reasonable??

black2002ls · #4 11-19-2006, 11:17 AM

I would strongly recommend a freshened LS1 with heads Cam and headers. Should put you around 400 or so at the flywheel. Should be plenty of power to play with. Throw in a big TB an LS6 intake and you should be more than happy. I just noticed however that you aren't state side. Not sure what the parts market is in your part of the world however.

black2002ls · #5 11-19-2006, 11:19 AM

Just clicked that e-bay link. I think that 8500 is TOO much for 400 HP and a T-56. I've seen those combos with an LS1 go for as low as 2500. Spend about 3 grand TOPS on a rebuild, GOOD heads, a good cam, and LS6 intake big TB, and some headers....you will see more than 400HP and save about 2500 which should cover all of the swap goodies

deuce_454 · #6 11-20-2006, 12:37 AM

first of all, thanx for the input price wise.. not being stateside makes it a little difficult getting a good feel for whats reasonable and whats not.. but i will surely start looking around for a take out ls1 in need of a rebuild.. is there somthing to look out for? any years to avoid? or will any camaro engine do?? and isnt there somthing about them all being equipped with ls6 intake from 2002??

anyway, thanx for the input

regards from denmark