LS Swap Vs. Procharged SBC

[71RS/SS396]

Originally Posted by DannyG

Yes. I'm looking for the best combination of both - I want power but I want it to be usable, if that makes sense. I'm not looking to build some monster that makes 750+ horsepower yet is wound so tight that I'm constantly breaking crap - I really want the car to be able to run mid 11's, get thrown around competitively in autocross, and start and run reliably for me on demand.

For this reason, I'm really starting to lean back in the direction of making the big LS investment. It's a big up front cost but, in addition to powerful reliability and wow factor, what a great foundation for future mods. It seems like an inevitable move at some point, so I should probably just do it now.

You're going to need more than 480 fwhp to get in to the mid 11's. It's hard to get these cars to 60 ft with the low profile tires and suspension set-up to turn, you need to make up the et with power. My old engine made 515 rwhp and the best et was 11.6. My wifes LS2 makes 440 rwhp and the best et to date is 12.5.

[badazz81z28]

Originally Posted by 71RS/SS396

You're going to need more than 480 fwhp to get in to the mid 11's. It's hard to get these cars to 60 ft with the low profile tires and suspension set-up to turn, you need to make up the et with power. My old engine made 515 rwhp and the best et was 11.6. My wifes LS2 makes 440 rwhp and the best et to date is 12.5.

I agree, build a dragster or an autocross car as you will disapointed with one of them if you try to do both. I took my car to the track on my low profile street tires and spun half way down the track. I put a pair of 275/15s drag radials and dropped nearly 3 seconds. 460 RWHP and I can run mid 11s with full interior (Keep in mind DA plays a role too).

[DannyG]

Originally Posted by 71RS/SS396

You're going to need more than 480 fwhp to get in to the mid 11's. It's hard to get these cars to 60 ft with the low profile tires and suspension set-up to turn, you need to make up the et with power. My old engine made 515 rwhp and the best et was 11.6. My wifes LS2 makes 440 rwhp and the best et to date is 12.5.

I should've specified - The actual quarter mile time isn't that important to me. Just having the power to weight ratio to be capable of those kinds of times. I'll have 17" DRs which will slightly help the cause too.

[badazz81z28]

Originally Posted by DannyG

I should've specified - The actual quarter mile time isn't that important to me. Just having the power to weight ratio to be capable of those kinds of times. I'll have 17" DRs which will slightly help the cause too.

Danny, a modded LS3 will be totally capable of 11s with good tires and suspension. I vote LS over any old school BBC/SBC only because the technology and performance for dollar is just so superior. The weight advantage of the all aluminum engine helps too.

[Twoblackmarks...]

My opinion. An LS would be the smart choice performance wise and everything else, but if you choose an SBC you will probably have an engine nobody else has soon, Since everybody else has LS in their cars now.

[badazz81z28]

Originally Posted by Twoblackmarks...

My opinion. An LS would be the smart choice performance wise and everything else, but if you choose an SBC you will probably have an engine nobody else has soon, Since everybody else has LS in their cars now.

I really don't think LS engines are that common. Many people don't have the knowledge or money for such a swap. Of all the car shows I went to this summer, very few LSs. Still the majority is sporting the sbc

[Vegas69]

They made small blocks for 50 years?

[Sparks67]

Originally Posted by Vegas69

They made small blocks for 50 years?

The first SBC was in 1955 with a displacement of 265 cu in. Technically, the Gen V is still a SBC. http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/n...mallblock.html
GEN I SBC are more common at the car shows, but my Gen 1 SBC 350 with 2 piece rear main always leaked.

Jeff

[Twoblackmarks...]

Originally Posted by badazz81z28

I really don't think LS engines are that common. Many people don't have the knowledge or money for such a swap. Of all the car shows I went to this summer, very few LSs. Still the majority is sporting the sbc

Ok, I may have exaggerated a bit, but it is an very growing trend, especially in "handling/Pro-Touring" type of cars, wich is the case here, not only American cars but all brands.

And I think it`s cooler to have an Hot Rodded brand-X-engine than an "bolt-in" LS (even though it is often better)

I do like LS motors! Even if it do not seem like that. I like ALL engines.

But for usability and overall performance an stockish LS is probably hard to beat in comparison. I would use what I have, it is already running and fits in the car. $$ adds up fast probably. It is often too much camshaft that ruins usability the most anyway.

Do what makes you the most happy, thats whats important. And not what others think.

[DannyG]

Originally Posted by Twoblackmarks...

Do what makes you the most happy, thats whats important. And not what others think.

Truth.