LS Swap Vs. Procharged SBC

[Bonehead]

Great advice - Even though the LS is a bigger up front investment for less power than I could make with the ProCharger on the 383, it would provide one hell of a foundation for future mods to make more power (and reliable power, at that), which I will inevitably be doing at some point. If I went with the blown 383, that would really be the end of that road.

As I said in my previous post; loving seeing on the WA state folks on here. Where in Seattle are you from?

Not sure the up a front power is less with the LS. Dollar for dollar, I'd put an LS up against any small block. The only advantage the sbc has is the parts are cheap and everyone has built one. The LS platform can cost more, but the amount of things you have to do to build power is far less than the typical sbc power build. Look at some of the cheap junk Sinister builds over on Team Chevelle. He's the king of not spending money and making big power.

I moved to just outside of Puyallup in 2012. Still getting used to the super short summers. There's a bunch of car guys up here which I never imagined. Nice to meet another one!

[carguykeith]

I've been looking at going LS3 and a 6 speed for awhile now. The cheapest by a long shot is to get a complete pull out from a 2010+ Camaro off eBay and send the harness/ECU off to get reworked. Not sure if the TR6060 will fit in the trans tunnel though? If it will you could be close to the same price as the blown 383.

[DannyBoy]

I've been looking at going LS3 and a 6 speed for awhile now. The cheapest by a long shot is to get a complete pull out from a 2010+ Camaro off eBay and send the harness/ECU off to get reworked. Not sure if the TR6060 will fit in the trans tunnel though? If it will you could be close to the same price as the blown 383.

Looked at that as a possibility before, as well, but the used engine/trans combo was, at best, $2k less than buying new parts and there's no direct swap kits available for that trans that I've seen. Appreciate you sharing the idea though!

[OG_Racing]

I'm a big big fan of roots style blowers.... BIG!
And what schwartz said... add in a magnum.
LS engines are insanely popular, they make excellent power, get decent MPG. If you're not building a Daily driver there is nothing wrong with a boosted small block.

[BMR Sales]

That being said, if you have the chance to move to an LS platform then do it. It's like finally ditching your beloved flip-phone for a smart phone.

Man, I really miss my Military Spec Flip Phone

[OG_Racing]

Man, I really miss my Military Spec Flip Phone

Right!! I went into the GA mountains this weekend none of my phones worked... it was a euphoric free feeling.. sorry back on topic.

[carguykeith]

Looked at that as a possibility before, as well, but the used engine/trans combo was, at best, $2k less than buying new parts and there's no direct swap kits available for that trans that I've seen. Appreciate you sharing the idea though!

I found the difference to be about twice that, here is a complete motor, trans, ECU & wire-harness for about the same as just an LS3 crate engine/ ECU without accessories:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2009-G8-GXP-...3D311121672813

or if the G8 doesn't work, here is one from a Camaro for just a little more:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-13-CHEVY-...615cd3&vxp=mtr

and another for still about the same as just a crate LS3, ECU and accessories:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHEVROLET-CA...7c13de&vxp=mtr

So I see:
$8,500 + $500 for ECU/ harness work = $9k
vs.
$7k (motor) + $1k ECU/ Harness + $1,500 accessories + $500 Clutch + $3k (trans) = $13k

These are all with a 1 minute search on ebay, I'm sure with some more digging there are better deals out there. The ONLY issue I see is if the TR6060 is an absolute no-go compared to the T56 magnum in your trans tunnel, anybody know??? If the TR6060 is a no-go than yes buy new because the LS3 takeout without a trans is almost the same price as with one...

[Rod]

$7k (motor) + $1k ECU/ Harness + $1,500 accessories + $500 Clutch + $3k (trans) = $13k

These are all with a 1 minute search on ebay, I'm sure with some more digging there are better deals out there. The ONLY issue I see is if the TR6060 is an absolute no-go compared to the T56 magnum in your trans tunnel, anybody know??? If the TR6060 is a no-go than yes buy new because the LS3 takeout without a trans is almost the same price as with one...

THIS!!!!!!

OK I had a 383 in my camaro...loved the hell outta it!, she was pissed off and fast....blew it up, so I swapped to a budget LS swap (carbed 6.0 engine) and the car is more fun!! the power band and torque are in a completely different area on the LS feels like the same overall HP, I painted the motor more old school to theme with the car

[DannyBoy]

I found the difference to be about twice that, here is a complete motor, trans, ECU & wire-harness for about the same as just an LS3 crate engine/ ECU without accessories:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2009-G8-GXP-...3D311121672813

or if the G8 doesn't work, here is one from a Camaro for just a little more:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-13-CHEVY-...615cd3&vxp=mtr

and another for still about the same as just a crate LS3, ECU and accessories:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CHEVROLET-CA...7c13de&vxp=mtr

So I see:
$8,500 + $500 for ECU/ harness work = $9k
vs.
$7k (motor) + $1k ECU/ Harness + $1,500 accessories + $500 Clutch + $3k (trans) = $13k

These are all with a 1 minute search on ebay, I'm sure with some more digging there are better deals out there. The ONLY issue I see is if the TR6060 is an absolute no-go compared to the T56 magnum in your trans tunnel, anybody know??? If the TR6060 is a no-go than yes buy new because the LS3 takeout without a trans is almost the same price as with one...

So, I did a little more looking around and found an LS2 with T56 out of an 06 GTO with 50k miles on it for $6,999... Not a bad deal! However, doesn't the T56 out of the GTO require some modification to work with a 1st Gen Camaro? I could be misinformed but I thought there was something easier about going with a T56 Magnum.

[DannyBoy]

THIS!!!!!!

OK I had a 383 in my camaro...loved the hell outta it!, she was pissed off and fast....blew it up, so I swapped to a budget LS swap (carbed 6.0 engine) and the car is more fun!! the power band and torque are in a completely different area on the LS feels like the same overall HP, I painted the motor more old school to theme with the car

LOVE-IT!!! The old school looking paint scheme on the modern engine is just awesome... Nicely done! Did you source a used engine/trans (if so, from what) or buy new parts?

[Rod]

LOVE-IT!!! The old school looking paint scheme on the modern engine is just awesome... Nicely done! Did you source a used engine/trans (if so, from what) or buy new parts?

Thanks!!! it was a used 6.0 LQ4 ...sourced off eBay they gave me a 12month warranty! ha ha ha ha ha guess they didn't know I was racing the car....I used a edelbrock intake, MSD timing computer, manual truck flywheel, trans dapt mounts, Holley accessory drive, Moroso pan and pickup, Sanderson headers, Moroso air oil separator....I re-used my old 4 speed(super T10) and a centerforce dual friction 11inch clutch, that's what the Truck flywheel allows you to do without any adapters

[Motobrewmaster]

First, Sorry for jumping in late to this thread. I am going through this same question debate right now too so this thread is perfectly timed. I am currently running an old school SBC putting down some good HP, but getting old and not a very streetable engine. The LS engines look like the perfect upgrade to replace the old mill.

That said I too have a limited (extras) budget and have to do things in economic steps. I also live in the great white north of NE which means 6 months of snow = 3 months of frost heaves leaving only 3 months of good driving. Therefore winter is for working on the toys (bikes too) and the warm dry months are for enjoying them! Last winter it was the brakes, this winter 4-link, cage and T56. So the foundation is coming together. Oh and I will autocross it and do trackways with it (I am an ex motorcycle road racer and am currently a track day instructor for motorcycles), so "spirited" driving is necessary.

So to my question. I am completely sold on the LS, at bit confused to which LS is what I want (any comparisons of the LS engines is appreciated) it is just now in research mode and bank building to afford it. My thoughts currently for engine requirements are to stay normally aspirated, maximum 7500 rpm, flat power band, 550 HP to the wheels, weight less than a SBC, oh and keep the engine under a flat hood. Where would you guys point me and or recommend me to research the best LS for achieving this?

If you want more details on the rest of the build feel free to ask if it helps your recommendation.

Cheers, Brew

[sixfivepost]

My LH8/TKO 600 swap cost me about 11 grand. Was more headaches and cost getting mixed and matched parts to work together.
If I were to do it all over again I would have gone with a plug and play crate LS3 package from Pace Performance. Would have cost me about $16k with a LS3/480/t56 connect and cruise package or 11k with a 480 HP LS3 package and a TKO 600. That is with no labor. I did it myself and it isn't that difficult.

[gbs714]

The sbc with a blower is still a good choice. One factor not mentioned is nostalgia for the sbc, unique sound (a firing order everyone recognizes), and the people scratching their head when your times are better with a carb. True story, happens all time in SoCal. Either choice is awesome, I have both and they have their advantages and disadvantages.