LS Engine Debate - Lateral-g Forums

**214Chevy** · #1 08-11-2010, 08:32 AM

Guys, I was having a discussion with a coworker today who is a car guy, but not really a car guy, if you know what I mean. Anyway, he argues the fact that if he still had his "69 Camaro he wouldn't be putting an LS motor in it. He states the fact that he wouldn't because everyone else is doing it and how everybody is putting LS's into their cars. So, I asked him, well what's the difference when LS's were not available and everyone was putting big block's into their cars? He then states that was all that was available was either a small block or a big block. Then I counter with newer technology and now an LS is pretty much all available now as far as Chevy is concerned. Unless you go retro with a 1st gen motor. What's you guys take on this. I just think some people fear the unknown and he is an old school guy who refuses to change. He just want to go against the grain and doesn't want it to seem as if he's jumping on the bandwagon.

ccracin · #2 08-11-2010, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 509Chevelle

Guys, I was having a discussion with a coworker today who is a car guy, but not really a car guy, if you know what I mean. Anyway, he argues the fact that if he still had his "69 Camaro he wouldn't be putting an LS motor in it. He states the fact that he wouldn't because everyone else is doing it and how everybody is putting LS's into their cars. So, I asked him, well what's the difference when LS's were not available and everyone was putting big block's into their cars? He then states that was all that was available was either a small block or a big block. Then I counter with newer technology and now an LS is pretty much all available now as far as Chevy is concerned. Unless you go retro with a 1st gen motor. What's you guys take on this. I just think some people fear the unknown and he is an old school guy who refuses to change. He just want to go against the grain and doesn't want it to seem as if he's jumping on the bandwagon.

I've been in those conversations as well. Just like Ford vs. Chevy vs. Mopar, you will never have a consensus. In my opinion, if everyone through the years felt as he does, we would all be walking or riding horses or having flat heads etc. Ask him if he has a black and white TV or maybe just an AM radio?

I also don't believe that "Everyone" is going LS. I was at a local show over the weekend. 700 cars and not 1 LS conversion that I came across. Of the thousands of cars at Columbus this year, LS conversions were still very much the minority. Will there be more absolutely, but remember there are still folks that live and breathe hot rodded flat heads! It's personal choice with no right or wrong answer.

We went from a Big Block to an LS. For us it was bang for the buck. We had to buy everything motor mounts, accessories, exhaust, headers etc. Therefore we got the most power for the least weight and the latest technology for not much more than the big block. If you already have a gen 1 engine in the car running than an LS can get expensive. Anyway, the difference of opinion is what keeps this hobby interesting and moving forward.

JMO

Later,

**214Chevy** · #3 08-11-2010, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccracin

...... Anyway, the difference of opinion is what keeps this hobby interesting and moving forward.

JMO

Later,

Very well stated Chad. I too, went from a big block to an LS 6.0. Hence my screen name 509Chevelle. I had a beefy 509 ci big block. And when I told all my buddies I was giving it up for a small block LS engine, they all thought I was losing my minds.

**XcYZ** · #4 08-11-2010, 12:38 PM

As Chad noted, I don't think there's really that many LS conversions out there. At Car Craft last month, with 5,000+ cars, there were very, very few EFI conversions of any make.

Josh69 · #5 08-11-2010, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XcYZ

As Chad noted, I don't think there's really that many LS conversions out there. At Car Craft last month, with 5,000+ cars, there were very, very few EFI conversions of any make.

Agreed, I could count them on my fingers.

Hindsight 20/20, I'd do an LSx. For what I've spent on a whopping 475hp in this old Poncho, I should have.

**Stuart Adams** · #6 08-11-2010, 03:00 PM

Alot of it is the fear of the unknown. Men are brand shoppers and don't stray too far away from what there used too. We go to the store get it and get out. Until you have tried other options its really hard to have a legitimate opinion, IMO. Conversion to LS isn't cheap either.

I don't hear people putting in LS motors and bitching they should have ran a big block!

CreepinDeth · #7 08-17-2010, 12:33 AM

I put an LS1 / 4L60e in my 78z in 2006. Best decision I ever made. I'm strongly considering selling the Rocket 350 / TH350 in my 1970 442 wannabe for an LY6 with the L92 heads. they flow 300-320cfm stock iirc, better then BBC heads. I prefer drivability over weekend warrior. But that's me, to each their own.

BTW I got that 12 Bolt I bought off you in finally and working. I took forever to get motivated to get it in. LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by XcYZ

As Chad noted, I don't think there's really that many LS conversions out there. At Car Craft last month, with 5,000+ cars, there were very, very few EFI conversions of any make.

Agreed.

I had this discussion on Classic Oldsmobile and some guys are just purists. I was jerking their chains quite a bit because Old's guys are a fickle bunch. They HATE IT when you put a Chevy motor in an Olds, even tho LS are GM engines.

I got the old "Well everyone is doing it so they're as common as bellybuttons".

I then asked how many Oldsmobile's they've seen with LS engines in them and I'll be damned if everyone didn't just get the deer in the headlights look. I probably found all of 3-5 total swaps doing various searches online. I told them they are EXTREMELY rare at this point in time.

monza · #8 08-12-2010, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ccracin

I've been in those conversations as well. Just like Ford vs. Chevy vs. Mopar, you will never have a consensus.
JMO

Later,

Kind of nails it with that statement.
~~

They are just way better, but some people....

Vegas69 · #9 08-12-2010, 09:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monza

Kind of nails it with that statement.
~~

They are just way better, but some people....

Bring it on budro...

I've got 489 cubic inches of pissed off aluminum big bock with your name on it baby!

JustinB · #10 08-12-2010, 09:45 PM

I tossed around the idea of building some sort of stroker LS motor for my 69. It all boiled down to conversion costs for me. I like things done right and all the other crap I would need to switch over including tuning was blowing my budget. So a 496 with AFR heads and a either a hydraulic or solid roller it is. I can reuse just about everything off my last BBC and have more hp/tq than I will know what to do with. If I want to drive a LS I can get in my DD.