what engine to buy?? sbc, lsx,

[deuce_454]

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?

[JamesJ]

The question is what do you want. Do you want big power? If you are not sure then you don’t! At least compared to some. If you just want good power then you need to decide if you want new or old. I want old so I am going with a sbc, but I also want power so I am go with an ATI pro-charer not a turbo.

[jsconiers]

Like Jamesj said the question is what do you want. However I will give you my oppinion. I would go with , and am going with, an ls1 for my 68 camaro. I would suggest you do the same. I looked at the price performance difference of an ls1/6 vs a ls2 and the additional dollars didn't make since. The ls1/6 motors are very flexible and the big difference between them is larger displacement and a slightly newer setup that is built stronger. I wouldn't touch a SBC now a days. the amount of money you would spend to even come close to the same power is rediculous. Not to mention the wieght savings. Check out the 5.3 and 6.0 blocks as they are starting to be pretty cheap but have the same power. for 8k you can do a ls1 with trans a head / cam swap and possibly a cheap turbo setup.

[TT402LS1]

The LSX engines are hard to beat. The design of the motor is far better than that of a SBC. I bought my 6.0L LQ4 w/ 26K for only $1000.00! It has the 317 casting heads. Which are the same as a LS6 head, except it has larger chambers. If I wanted a cheap, but fast SB, this is the way Id go. You could easly put a carb and intake combo on the LSX, put a nice cam in it, some Hooker headers, and have a 500HP motor. These motors are design well, and are very strong!

[deuce_454]

yeah... well gas costs 5.24 USD/Gallon so i think im sticking with fuel injection..

and yes the price is right, 9 danish kroners (DKR) per litre, 1USD = 6.5 DKR you do the math..