LS or 350 small block

[Badass63C10]

I have a question that needs to be answered should I keep my 350 small block and modified it. Or should I get an LS engine

[WallaceMFG]

A lot of people here are going to tell you to do the LS swap. I have nothing against a 350 small block, I'd run it just to be a little different. Throw some decent heads, a 383 stroker kit and efi on that small block and it would be a great motor. But it's your choice and what your budget can handle.

[cornfedbill]

It depends on what you want. The stock LS1 puts out more power than any modern production 350 and is lighter due to the aluminum block.

If you want more than 400 horsepower or are concerned about weight, go the LS route. If cost is the major issue and you already have the 350, keep it and build it.

That said, I am running a 377 small block with iron Vortec heads and a 1972 400 block bored 0.040" over. I traded and bartered for most of the parts. I have maybe $3000 into a 400 horsepower engine with a very flat torque curve.

But if I were to do it again, I would start with an LQ9 or an LS3.

I worked with the fuel systems and intakes for the LS1,6,4 and 7. They are hard to beat.

[skooli]

Honestly it depends on your plans for the car and your budget. I did a crate 383 for my Camaro because it was inexpensive and simple. It bolted right in and I didn't need to do any extra LS conversion related jobs. I think it might be a little better for me to put the focus on brakes and suspension. My 383 makes plenty of reliable power (around 400hp) and I really want to focus on being able to throw it into turns. But if my budget was a little bigger, I would've gone for an LS.

[Rod]

I have a question that needs to be answered should I keep my 350 small block and modified it. Or should I get an LS engine

what are you starting with?

Motor?
Car
Suspension
Brakes

is the car done and your just thinking about the last up grade?
or is it all apart and and your trying to make a plan of attack?

[1965gp]

Only problem with a newer motor is it will date the car. A car with a small block in it is common but period correct for anything 60's-70's. If you are going for extreme, reliable power then the LS is a good option.

Depends how long you will keep the car. My vote would be the small block with Atomic / FAST efi.

[MonzaRacer]

If you have the SBC run it. Unless you really have the cash and drive to switch over go for it. My issue with LS conversion is there isn't 50 yrs of parts and accessories out there.
My biggest gripe is the be everyone slings about how great LS conversions are, then I watched a guy run a junk 350 SBC with twin turbos, never blew up and ran 9s in 1/4. I have watched single LS scatter like chickens in a thunderstorm from 50 shot or few psi.
The LS has great heads, some improved design but its STILL a plan that cost over $1000 to install and make run in many cars not including the engine trans.
The choice is yours and your wallet/budgets.
I'm gonna run a 53 yr old block, nearly 50 yr old heads and add in a fi from an LT1 later I'll add my twin turbo setup.
I see so many do swaps and never finish due to money. If it has SBC, all there, do a budget freshen up, drive it and then if your inclined to LS convert, save up money and parts. Then do swap and sell running SBC to someone who needs it. Or keep it.
Don't just change because.

[minendrews68]

Wow, I like hearing about the sbc being so popular. Now I don't feel so behind the times. I'll keep running my 383 carb'd engine and someday hope for a FI system. I think I'd be set then. Nothing against the LS swaps, I'm just a little old fashioned..

[TheJDMan]

I recently finished building up a 350 4 bolt main block with a Scat 383 rotating assy, Racing Head Service heads, Edelbrock retrofit hydraulic roller cam, Victor Jr intake, MSD ignition and MSD EFI. The combo makes an estimated 550hp and I did not have to buy a new set of headers or mess with a lot complicated wiring. I may switch to an LS3 someday but it will not be anytime soon.

[Josue]

^ Do you have a ball park figure for that set up?

Threads like these are making me wonder if it'd be cheaper/better to just keep the running Pontiac 350 in my Firebird, and maybe just FI it for reliability (I know squat about carbs, but plan on the car being a boarder line daily driver) instead of LS'ing it right off the bat.

[1965gp]

I would be prepared to spend $1500, maybe a little more on an efi set up. As a Pontiac guy I would stick with the pontiac motor but again- it is all about your goals for your car.

[hotrodalex]

^ Do you have a ball park figure for that set up?

Threads like these are making me wonder if it'd be cheaper/better to just keep the running Pontiac 350 in my Firebird, and maybe just FI it for reliability (I know squat about carbs, but plan on the car being a boarder line daily driver) instead of LS'ing it right off the bat.

I've got an Edelbrock carb w/ electric choke on my daily driver. Wasn't too hard to set up and haven't really had to fiddle with it since.

(not saying I wouldn't accept an FI system if someone bought me one for Christmas!)

[BonzoHansen]

I have a question that needs to be answered should I keep my 350 small block and modified it. Or should I get an LS engine

Impossible to answer from this. So many 'ifs'. Intended use? Budget? How set up is your sbc now - exhaust, cooling, Etc...

[Josue]

I would be prepared to spend $1500, maybe a little more on an efi set up. As a Pontiac guy I would stick with the pontiac motor but again- it is all about your goals for your car.

The most reliability/driveability for my limited budget is my goal. lol

Even with the overwhelming popularity of LS swaps, I'm getting quite annoyed at all the research and tracking down parts needed to actually complete one. If there was a one stop shop for everything needed, parts, instructions, etc., then I might be more excited for one. Then there's the possibility for troubleshooting problems, which while I have a good amount of mechanical ability, I have little serious mechanical knowledge to do so.

[Josue]

I've got an Edelbrock carb w/ electric choke on my daily driver. Wasn't too hard to set up and haven't really had to fiddle with it since.

(not saying I wouldn't accept an FI system if someone bought me one for Christmas!)

That sounds nice too!

I guess I'm kind of lazy, I really really don't want to be messing around, tuning and tweaking things every weekend. I'd rather set it, and forget it. Just get in it and go!

[71maroesteban]

350 sbc is an amazing motor and I don't see it going away any time soon and plenty of parts to make it go fast also its such a simple motor to understand and work on as where the ls is more pricey and has electronics but it's a great way to learn about modern motors which is why I decided to go ls to learn how newer systems work

[MonzaRacer]

^ Do you have a ball park figure for that set up?

Threads like these are making me wonder if it'd be cheaper/better to just keep the running Pontiac 350 in my Firebird, and maybe just FI it for reliability (I know squat about carbs, but plan on the car being a boarder line daily driver) instead of LS'ing it right off the bat.

So why not use a 4bbl throttle bbl and drill and mod an aluminum intake for injectors and a basic efi controller. Heck Megasquirt and an HEI with 5 or 7 pin module would work very well and be very cheap. Well compared to some of the other efi systems.
I keep seeing people buy $1500-$3500 in efi setups and I have a customer with several years on Megasquirt system, with some periodic updates, as he is now up to MS3.
But his car is simple aluminum intake 4150 throttle body, some welded bungs and fuel rails and he snagged injectors from junkyard scrounge.
He uses an HEI and lets the MS3 control the ignition through GM module and even added some knock sensors and a water injection setup , computer controlled.
It can be done and you DONT have to spend huge dollars converting to an LSx. It doesnt have to be what everyone else is doing I STILL live by the old Car Craft Magazines old adage of Dare To Be Different.

[Josue]

....because I have NO idea what ANY of that is or means. You might as well be talking Greek to me. lol

I mean, I know, but I don't. I know what those parts are you mention, and I know how to google information about them and where to buy, but I haven't the slightest clue about injection systems or how they work. Seems to "slap" together the above setup, I'd need to have that knowledge. If there was a parts list and detailed installation instructions though, I'm sure I could tackle it myself.

[rickpaw]

The most reliability/driveability for my limited budget is my goal. lol

Even with the overwhelming popularity of LS swaps, I'm getting quite annoyed at all the research and tracking down parts needed to actually complete one. If there was a one stop shop for everything needed, parts, instructions, etc., then I might be more excited for one. Then there's the possibility for troubleshooting problems, which while I have a good amount of mechanical ability, I have little serious mechanical knowledge to do so.

....because I have NO idea what ANY of that is or means. You might as well be talking Greek to me. lol

I mean, I know, but I don't. I know what those parts are you mention, and I know how to google information about them and where to buy, but I haven't the slightest clue about injection systems or how they work. Seems to "slap" together the above setup, I'd need to have that knowledge. If there was a parts list and detailed installation instructions though, I'm sure I could tackle it myself.

Josue, we're getting slight off track with the OP here, but to answer your question/concern. If your primary goal is reliability, jump in start the car and go, then nothing beat an FI system. My car can sit for months (3 months), all I did was start the car, let it idle for 30 seconds and drive off. Could not do that when I had the Pontiac 400 with a carb.

As for as what part to use for the swap (mount/header/crossmember), Holley developed a system of parts that are designed to work together, so that will be your one stop shop for swap parts. And there are tons of companies that offers wiring harness for the LS swap (PSI conversion, BP auto, Speartech). It's not that hard to do an LS swap now, if you desire.

[cornfedbill]

Brian Hobaugh's 1965 Corvette still runs a small block. He runs with the big boys and beats most of them.

Danny Popp ran the original, but modified, LT1 in his Corvette until only a few years ago and he was also fast.

I like all the support for the venerable small block. It may be 60 years old, but is still a strong platform.