My lifes biggest dilemma

[1978TA]

Hey Everyone

So I have come to a cross roads in my project, and im sure some of you have come across the same question, Cubic Inches or Forced Induction. Years ago there would have been no argument, but with the ability to take a small engine and make huge power that is relatively affordable has me somewhat changing face. Which leaves me at my dilemma. I have a 78 Trans Am that needs a new engine, but the problem is... I have one. 2 years ago i purchased a pontiac 455 stroked to 474, thats makes a "streetable" 600hp and big torque. Seems like an easy solution to just run that engine, but there is more to the story. As I am budget conscience and will have to stay that way, a big cubic inch Pontiac engine is an expensive venture, especially if parts break and things need to be replaced. WIth the cost of building a high performance engine, it is something I may only be able to do once. So the boosted Junkyard LSx swap seems to be calling my name, I have spent a lot of time on the LS forums and am amazed at what is being done with this engines in stock form with 50000+miles. To take a 5.3 truck engine for $600, spend money on a turbo set-up and replicate what my 474 makes and possibly be more streetable seems very appealing

For those of you that have gone from CI to FI please let me know if this is the direction I want to go?

Thanks
Mike

[carguykeith]

Not exactly who you are looking for to respond but coming from someone who was too far into it to change directions I will say it's the one thing I would change about my build if given the chance to. Hell I'd probably change it now if I could get anywehre close to the $ I have into my motor out of it to build a turbo LS. Unfortuanatley no chance of that ever happening, especially with the small market up here...

So my vote would be FI, coming form the CI side of the house.

[astroracer]

You need to look at the BIG picture. Your 474 will bolt right in, fire up and drive down the road. How much money will you have to spend to get the computer flashed? Buy a new transmission? New torque converter? New drive shaft? Build a wiring harness, build a new exhaust and all of the other little nickle and dime items? I think you just talked yourself into a 474. :)
Mark

[72blackbird]

Mike,
How does having a 600 hp 474 Poncho become a dilemna? The only dilemna I could see is having to buy new rear tires again and again because you're laying down too much rubber, or burning it up at launch. I admit you will need a beefy drivetrain to put the power down, but wouldn't you need the same thing for a 600 hp turbo LS engine? I also doubt the Vortec 5300 would be as stout as your 474 Poncho when boosted, unless you go into the engine and beef it up- so much for a budget $600 engine there.

Keep it simple- run the Poncho and enjoy the 600 hp/600 lbs-ft.

Geno

[TheJDMan]

Mike,
How does having a 600 hp 474 Poncho become a dilemna? The only dilemna I could see is having to buy new rear tires again and again because you're laying down too much rubber, or burning it up at launch. I admit you will need a beefy drivetrain to put the power down, but wouldn't you need the same thing for a 600 hp turbo LS engine? I also doubt the Vortec 5300 would be as stout as your 474 Poncho when boosted, unless you go into the engine and beef it up- so much for a budget $600 engine there.

Keep it simple- run the Poncho and enjoy the 600 hp/600 lbs-ft.

Geno

I agree!