What sort of "low buck" LSx build would you like???

[Steve1968LS2]

Spinning off from that other thread.. thoughts?

A 5.3 truck engine build?

SUPER low buck or just lower buck? stroker?

Junkyard LS1 rebuild, maybe a stroker?

What price for what horsepower would be interesting? (and possible)

I was thinking that a LS1 from say a 01 or 02 f-body would be cool.. already has the LS6 intake. Work over the heads, good cam and maybe a stroker kit if one can be found that worked in the budget.

[Vegas69]

How about you let a few builders compete to see who can build the most horsepower per $ using any of the LSX motors.

or

Have a LSX/Big Block shootout using the same car and cubic inches. Which one has the best quarter mile time. Build them as wild as they like

You can paypal me at

[JayR]

I'm really surprised how many guys don't know about the L92 heads and L76 intake that you can get so cheap right over the counter. Not sure if you can put those on a truck motor but people should know about that stuff. Heads and intake for under a grand!!

If you could make a junkyard 5.3, 6.0 or 6.2 liter truck motor scream for low money, you would open a lot of eyes. The hardcore LS1Tech guys know all about L92/L76 upgrade but many people putting them in hot rods have no idea about it.

I'm also more interested in efi than carbs FWIW

[almcbri]

I think a budget 5.3 carb engine would be interesting. The engines are defintely cheap and I think it would make a great article to see what kind of numbers they could throw down with a few upgrades.

[youthpastor]

Originally Posted by almcbri

I think a budget 5.3 carb engine would be interesting. The engines are defintely cheap and I think it would make a great article to see what kind of numbers they could throw down with a few upgrades.

yep, 5.3 take out, cam and some mild work, carb or EFI into something like a clean 72 Nova...they are still cheap if you are patient, if not any year G-body. -Chris..

could be a 12 seconds for 5k type of heading.

I am doing a 6.0 on the cheap in a 68 Camaro if you are interested in a build article, I have all the reciepts, been internet shopping- Chris

[Reckley]

I like the Junkyard LS1 idea.

Mike

[trapin]

A true budget build would involve the 5.3 liter or 6.0 liter truck engines.

LS1's are still pretty pricey.

[rocketman]

There's acouple bad ass 5.3 trucks running around here.

[Bulldog68]

I definitely like the idea of a LS pullout (or crate, if it can be purchased cheap enough), which should be getting cheaper with the release of the more recent LS2 and LS3s. Set a goal of making power near that of the LS364/440 for less than what that crate costs (about $5k).

My preference for the story would be to see a simple carb'd setup on a common (cheaper) LS engine to display the ease of installation. Throw it in an old Nova, Camaro, or Chevelle and show the conversion pieces that would be needed to get it working. Only cover the minimum required parts for simplicity and low cost. Don't complicate the story with head mods and cams until the basic install is done, the car runs, and a baseline is established. A follow-up story could cover upgrades to the existing package, including bolt-ons such as heads, a new intake, new coil packs, or whatever has been found to be most effective on a basic LS engine.

The main point here is to keep the initial cost of the basic conversion low, establishing interest for the hesitant enthusiasts who don't know how easy it is to replace that old SBC with a more modern, reliable, better-performing LS engine. After that's established, efforts towards more power (on a budget) could be addressed in the second part of the buildup.

[Garage Dog 65]

I agree on the lower buck build with the L92 heads, cam, better intake, larger throttle body and headers (maybe stroker info) and a tune. That's what I'm looking for on my Porsche project. I'd like 400 - 450 RWHP with just the above stuff. Say 3,000 dollars ?? (total WAG) I got my engine as a junkyard pull from a 10K mile vette for $700 - wasn't sure that was a good price. Maybe a ref table of price samples from a few of the web sites that specifically sell junk yard motors (ebay, craigs list, others)

I had also wondered why someone had not done an engine masters series on the Lsx stuff. There are alot of people working them up. Most power from least dollars, etc. Iron block stuff is ok with me - it still relates.

And, (since we're wishing here) I'd like to see someone really explain the EFI signals and controls. I've read several of the available LS books out there and they just don't get into these topic much. Maybe there is a GM training booklet out there that would help demistify that whole deal for the guys scared of it.

Jim

PS, BullDog - I like your though on the baseline deal - then add the other stuff next month. Great Idea. Thx !