Which motor to run?

[Silverbird]

I am debating whether to run a built ls2(402) or a fuel injected 455 with say a sheet metal Hogans intake? I like the idea of running a pontiac motor in my Firebird but I'm in love with the LS motors. I have a C6 and stock its a sick little motor. But the sheer torque of a 455 and the looks of a Hogans intake is pretty alluring. But again with the wait savings of the LS motor... I am in a dilema. Any thoughts guys?

[C4Bird]

Silver, I am in this same dilema. LS-2, 455 poncho, or the 427 BBC with the aluminum heads I can buy for a fair price. Do you keep the pontiac true to it's name, or go with something that has a few more benefits? I'd really like to see what everyone thinks as well.
-Nate

[Pzary3233]

I guess it depends on what you're looking to do with the car... I personally would go with an EFI Pontiac... I love the low end torque that you get... remember on the street torque is king... not high end HP. Plus, be different... LSX motors are some what becoming a "mainstream" EFI swap (Guys dont flame me! I Like the LSx Motors in camaros). I would say that the Pontiac motor will be more expensive than the LSx motor if you were to adapt EFI to it. Though daring to be different is sometimes expensive as well. However I would venture to say that you could build a pontiac motor without as many exotic parts and make it run a decent number and hold together as well. There are quite a few guys on the first gen firebird list running low 12's with stock heads (new valve trains) and bottom ends. Another option instead of a 455 would be to use a 428 crank in your 455 block and make a 440 ci motor (that is my plan only using a 400 block)... Faster revs and move the power band a little bit and you would still not lose the low end torque. I think that a T56 6 speed would be awesome behind a pontiac motor I'd imagine that 6th gear would be a blast with the torque you get from the pontiac! I really like my 2.56 gear ratio at highway speeds with my little 350 Pontiac. I guess I am also slightly biased in the fact that you put a pontiac motor in a Pontiac, Chevy in Chevy, Ford in a Ford (even a '32), and well the same goes for Mopar. However, in the end it's your choice, your car, and no matter what power plant you go with as long you are happy with the car, that is what counts most!

Just some thoughts for you.

[F70t/a]

It depends on your budget and what you plan to do with the car. I'm a pontiac fan, So I would say 455 :machine:

[Ralph LoGrasso]

LSX -- it's a pontiac motor, too :).

[OHCbird]

LSX -- it's a pontiac motor, too

That is what we call a "stretch", but none the less, it's now true. I say stick with the poncho despite the fact that an LS2 is going to be lighter, and could easily be easier on the wallet once you get into big HP#s.

Hell- I'm putting a 5.0 Trailblazer engine in my '68 :revto9k:

[Ralph LoGrasso]

That is what we call a "stretch", but none the less, it's now true. I say stick with the poncho despite the fact that an LS2 is going to be lighter, and could easily be easier on the wallet once you get into big HP#s.

Hell- I'm putting a 5.0 Trailblazer engine in my '68 :revto9k:


I understand the stretch and what you guys mean by a true pontiac engine. I just always like to bust chops when the LSX/pontiac discussion comes up (all in good fun, of course).

[ProStreet R/T]

Are you trying to save $$$ or build something totally wild? If you want SB weight and BB power go for a huge ci SB2.2

Or you could just bore and offset grind the LS2 https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/images/smilies/headscratch.gif

[4MuscleMachines]

Haven driven a ZZ502 Camaro and an LSx Camaro, I was a die hard BBC fan now gone MIA with the LSx crowd.

[Silverbird]

Are you trying to save $$$ or build something totally wild? If you want SB weight and BB power go for a huge ci SB2.2

Or you could just bore and offset grind the LS2 https://www.pro-touring.com/forum/images/smilies/headscratch.gif

Money isn't my main issue. I wan't a brutal motor that is very drivable with good street manners. Somthing I can cruise to corner to as well as flog at the track. What I like about the LS motors I've played around with is the power band and smoothness. Even highly modified they seem to be very calm until you step into it. It's hard to beat millions of dollars of modern day engineering that GM put in this engine. That being said I am leaning toward the Pontiac motor. It's a little different (how funny is that a Pontiac motor in a Pontiac car as different) I'll save the LS motor for a Camaro, I bet thats never been done. Don't steal my idea guys!