How many are keeping it old school

[camaroboss67]

How of you guys are still using traditional an/bb motors instead of converting to the more popular Ls swap. Reason for asking is I'm torn between a 383 stroker I've had built or building an lq9 and swapping that instead. Would love to hear from you guys.

[pittpens24]

I kept it old school - kind of........went with a built 572 BB. I know the dependability of the LS is unmatched, but the sound, feel and just brutal step on the pedal power that the traditional motors have can;t be touched by modern technology in my opinion. I'm sure I just started a war lol.

[JustJohn]

Keeping a (port injected) big block in my Impala - it just matches the car's character.

Wouldn't hesitate to swap an LS motor into my 85 C-10.

[CampbellshotrodsAZ]

If you've got a 383, run that. Should you have the need for a new engine later, you can always swap down the road.

[badazz81z28]

It's all preference. EFI is a wonderful thing and runs beautifully on a LS engine. Yeah, you can put EFI on a Gen I, but it's pretty expensive. With the LS you get all the modern improvements and luxuries to include efficiency. I won't turn away to cruise with a 572, but my preference is LS. 1000hp Turbo 5.3 engines....you can't compare the power potential with the foundation

[OLDFLM]

If you already have the 383 and all the accessories, I'd run that. You can always add Holley's Sniper EFI for under $2k.
You have to think about all the accessories that are required and that would have to be changed to accept an LSx...
eg. fuel system, exhaust, water pump, alternator, starter, power steering pump, AC if you have it, would all be different.
And cost more...

[gator68428]

Pure Pontiac Power till I die. Not a Chevy, but the title says Old School. My 428 is from a 68 Bonneville. Rebuilt bottom end to stock specs back in 2003, and have done many AutoX and Track events since 2010. Time to rebuild again before I throw a rod; going to beef up the bottom end and add accusump and crankcase evac--and more headflow, cubes, compression and cam...

[77thor]

I'm running an old-school 350 SBC NOM... but if I had the money I wouldn't hesitate to do an LS swap

[phaf]

I run a SBB just for simplicity's sake. If it ever fails catastrophically I might go with a LS.

[ULTM8Z]

It all depends on what the goal is…

For example…. for me, my ultimate goal is around 500-525 hp. Really don’t want or need anything more than that.

Since I already have the car set up for a Gen 1 small block with TPI-era electronics (and I’ve gotten so familiar with how to tune the ECM), I figure I’ll eventually just get a Gen 1 based 427 SBC and put the same EFI system back on it (it's a Miniram intake, not a TPI).

With that kind of an engine, it’d almost be more of an effort to figure how NOT to make 525 hp (while still retaining good street manners) So then it becomes a question of why go through the hassle of changing everything out for an LS when the Gen 1 can do it just as easily for this power goal?

With my TH700R4 and 3.42 rear end, I’m currently getting ~27 mpg on the highway. Ultimately I also later want to put in a Gear Vendors OD and run somewhere between a 3.90 and 4.10 axle ratio (which will allow me to cruise at an even lower RPM than I am now). My guess I’ll probably still end up with close to the same mpg. Yeah, the LS may get over 30, but it doesn't really matter at that point.

If I was shooting for >600 hp, then yeah, the LS would probably make the power and still be much more well-mannered than the Gen 1. Plus, if I had to start from scratch, I'd probably go the LS route as well. But the Gen 1 427 SBC is literally a drop in replacement with only some re-tuning required.

[cdrod]

I kept it mostly old school for my '72 442 convertible project. I decided to build a 375cid stroked small block Olds motor but updated the induction system with aluminum heads, an Edelbrock intake with a FiTech throttle-body EFI and an LS3 in-tank electric fuel pump. I don't have the car on the road yet, but expect no more than 20-21 mpg hwy gas mileage.

[USAZR1]

I've got a pretty healthy 383" sbc in my car. If something changes, I might go with a 427" sbc or old school-style LS w/carb.

[Kenova]

I have a 400 SBC in my Nova but my Vega will soon get a 5.3 LS stuffed into it.
With the Nova I already had the 400. It's kind of been following me around since the mid 70's. The Vega will be a fresh conversion so I thought I would dip my toe in the 21st century.
I'm pleased with the Nova and I'm sure the Vega won't disappoint either.
Does that help? LOL

Ken

[camaroboss67]

Thanks fellas I was going crazy to decide but one of my main factors right now budget wise was cost. I figure roll with 383 and build me a nice ls motor slowly and do it right when if I ever decide to swap it out.

[badazz81z28]

If you already have the 383 and all the accessories, I'd run that. You can always add Holley's Sniper EFI for under $2k.
You have to think about all the accessories that are required and that would have to be changed to accept an LSx...
eg. fuel system, exhaust, water pump, alternator, starter, power steering pump, AC if you have it, would all be different.
And cost more...

Do do you have an LS? Your comment indicates you don't. It's not a massive effort like you make it seem.

[camaroboss67]

I have an lq9 from a 2007 Sierra that I was going to build a 408 stroker. But the 383 is already built.

[1sikride]

I have a 350 with a blown 4spd.
It's been parked since July as I'm saving
For a 6spd and a ls3...

I've been torn too. Ls3 or 502...

500+ hp is the goal. But I also want a reliable car
I can take on a road trip a few hours away
And not be insanely loud. Revved high and get
Decent gas mileage...

The ls will cost u about 10k more in parts
And labour but knowing u have a unique
Street thumper is nice.
I'm sick of carb tuning.

Although I will miss the sound of a carb'
Engine....

I say if u have a 383. Run til somthing
Breaks.

And in the meantime slowly grab ls
Swap parts as u go along.

I waited for my 4spd to **** on me.
So here we are...

Hope this helped.

[1989GTA]

I have a 1965 Buick Skylark with a LS3 based 427, 6L80 transmission with A/C, PB and PS. 2005 GTO bucket seats in the front. I went with front and rear suspension mods to improve the handling and disc brakes at all 4 corners. Puts down 512 rwhp and I could not be happier. I have the idle set at 800 rpm and it drives very nicely. In fact I run errands with it. I only made one run at the drag strip as the car is not really set up for the strip. I did put Hoosier slicks on the back and it ran 11.5 @ 120mph. I just wanted to get a feel for what it could do.

Edit: top photo is an older photo. I thought I had a newer one. I have since relocated the alternator using the Holley brackets. .

[Interceptor5588]

So far I'm lovin the Pontiac 400, runs great and looks unique in the sea of SBC's and LS swaps. Sounds awesome, lumpy down low and really wails on the secondaries. Carb is stilll a PITA compared to EFI but I'm too cheap to change it. Overdrive trans makes it livable on the highway.

[DCx]

I run a Carbed LS1 in my 69 Camaro.



CNC ported heads, big cam, T56, Hauls ass.