My LS Conversion Dilemma:

[Todd in vancouver]

Hey I'm really kicking myself for spending so much on my SBC as what I really want now is an LS and I haven't even installed my SBC yet. If you want a nice strong SBC because you can easily have 500hp with a SBC, I will gladly sell you mine as I haven't yet purchased all the stuff I need yet so I'm happy to go LS at this point.

I'm sure there are plenty of good speed shops that can build a strong small block for you but to be honest I'm $10K into building the one I have.

[BANKO]

Dave, thanks for the encouragement. I think my power goals would be:

1yr: 500HP NA
3yrs: 650HP NA
5yrs: 800HP Dry Sump & FI


GW, thanks for chiming in, I'm glad I gave you a chuckle! My statement was an over-generalization, but the reality is that with my engine / trans / rearend combo, I can easily spin the tires. While this was cool in High School, it doesn't make you faster. I agree it is a complex system with all things working together to make a fast car. What I have discovered in the ASCS events is power to weight ratio makes a big difference on the big track & speed stop. <300hp is hard to compete with ~600HP. Who doesn't want !?!

My goal with the car is drive it and have fun (which I am doing), I tend to favor Pro-Touring over Pro-Jackstand. Here is a shot of the wider rubber I am working to fit.

Todd, sorry to hear about your experience. I don't want to be in the same place in 6 months.

[JKnight]

Originally Posted by Todd in vancouver

Hey I'm really kicking myself for spending so much on my SBC as what I really want now is an LS and I haven't even installed my SBC yet.

Herein lies the problem though. We, as a group, tend to turn our attention the next greatest thing before we've even given our current setup a try. I have a feeling you (not you specifically Todd, but anyone in your position, including myself) might be thinking less about an LS if you were currently burning fuel and rubber with your SBC.

[Todd in vancouver]

Originally Posted by JKnight

Herein lies the problem though. We, as a group, tend to turn our attention the next greatest thing before we've even given our current setup a try. I have a feeling you (not you specifically Todd, but anyone in your position, including myself) might be thinking less about an LS if you were currently burning fuel and rubber with your SBC.

You are so right and I think it's the evolution of where we are going and what our expectations are for these/our cars. I've had more powerful cars in the past and this project started out with a different goal. I think you are on the mark with building a car that will meet your needs not just for now but keeping in mind where you may end up.

The 350 I have is built for Nitros and quite frankly I have a lot of learning to do before I can out drive my present set-up. Scope creep is a real bugger and we all need to just appreciate what we have. Having said that I would really like to have 1000hp and I'm not apologizing for my childish side because it keeps me young and always striving for more.

[Roberts68]

I have been watching this discussion and wasn't going to jump in and talk about my situation for fear of hijacking the original thread... Well, either my manners subsided or the discussion has made some points I can't resist commenting on... time will tell which.

Anyway, as far as the cost of a stout SBC that was probably built as frugally as possible I wanted to share some text comments from a discussion I was just having with one of my friends whose built quite a few serious SBC's when I was asking him about possibilities for my engine.

I have 8k to 9k in my 406. 526hp/530tq. All good parts. Could be done cheaper if a guy wants to gamble on lesser parts

My #1 for heads is AFR. I run 210 eliminators. Also need full roller valve train for that hp. Comp cams
Price out a Dart SHP Short block. All good stuff there. No having to search and buy a stock 400 block, then add 1k at machine shop

Now the tentative part where I weigh in on my situation trying not to threadjack
I have an early 90's .030 cast rebuild on my numbers matching 327, with non original 241 camelbacks lightly worked over.
I am questioning whether I should throw any money at this thing to make it more respectable versus going another route, whether a bigger displacement sbc or LS.
Parts on hand were sourced with an open minded future, PRC dual pass LS radiator, Ricks tank currently with a low pressure pump, and my t56mag can be adapted to an LS easily.

What to do? What to do?

Right now I do not see myself needing crazy power, if I had 500hp I would feel like king $hit on turd island... I'm just sayin'.

No matter what path I take I am looking at heads, rotating assembly, new headers are on my list regardless... The light at the end of the tunnel resembles an LS... but I dunno if I like bandwagons all that much and appearance wise they don't hold a candle in my opinion.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Its funny how much easier (as it seems) to make power out of an LS. Its just a difference in efficiency.

I have close to 12K in a 394 stroker that I build for my Camaro several years ago. Includes labor. It puts out just about 550 and it was a bunch to get there. 12K in an LS would make much more power....not leak from the rear main and get twice the gas milage. That is huge when you are driving back and forth to events.

Josh, put your money in suspension and brakes to start. Power will get there. I may have a few engines for you when that time comes.

[Vince@Meanstreets]

Originally Posted by BANKO

Hey guys, I appreciate your concern over my driving skills. I think I'm pretty good and my wife says I drive TOO fast, however I haven't won OUSCI or any ASCS event, so more seat-time can always be good thing

I found this article that Steve Rupp wrote in '09 and addressed my concerns about the flywheel and Quicktime Bellhousing, looks like I can re-use both.

Vince, you make goods points about suspension adjustability and re-gearing. Both are in the works. I couldn't put power to the ground with my 3.08, turbo 400 and skinny rear tires. The T56 is better, but I need more rear rubber and lower gears.

Are you still running 3:08's? That must be a ton on fun in (.50) 6th gear.

[Che70velle]

Here's something else to consider...the LS engine has been out now for over 16 years. Yeah, 16 years. Shoot, it's already been replaced by the upcoming LT series engines. The LS engines will be oldschool stuff very soon.
I love and appreciate the SBC as much as anybody. I've spent stupid money on dry sump SBC engines for my late models, and there are a gazillion parts out there still today, but when it comes to making easy power, with a very efficient, and strong engine, the LS is a really simple choice. I really don't see it as a "bandwagon" thing. It's just so easy to make great power, and achieve actual great fuel mileage figures with the LS engine. They are readily available, have a lot of aftermarket support, and are affordable. What's not to like?

[BANKO]

Vince, what kind of engine are you hiding in your shop for me? I hope it has more than 500 horses....

My brakes are in the process of being updated: Wilwood W6A in the front and I'll move my Z06 6 pistons to the rear. Need to do some fab work to get RideTech Triples w/ double shear mounts to work in the front.

My T56 w/ 3.08's purrs like a kitten at 500rpm in 6th on the highway! I can't do a standing mile yet until I resolve the ground clearance issues with my quicktime bellhousing. Cars following me get scared by the sparks my car produces on the highway....

Back to the LS discussion, I found this article documenting the Mast cam and head swap. My gosh, 507ft-lb of torque with a cam and head swap on a stock 376ci motor is pretty amazing! Makes the case for finding a cheap LS3 pull-out all the more convincing.

[71RS/SS396]

The biggest plus about LS to me is the fact you can build a 600+ hp engine that has excellent street manners.