Which is cheaper?

[CamaroJesse]

I dont make a ton of money so doing an ls1 would be pretty tough for me. Im building a small block maybe 450 horse and putting a 750 carb on it. Summit sells a holley stealth ram with ecm and stuff for around $2500. I figure that my motor will be under 3 grand. So those 2 are $5500. Would i be better off doing this over an LS1 since i can do the small block in steps as i get the money? How much more fas milage can i see out of the stealth ram? Or if there are any better fuel injection set ups?

Thanks
Jesse

[JEFFTATE]

Why not use the GM fuel injection ?
You can tune the system for pretty good gas mileage and reach the power level you want.
The carb setup will make good power but use more fuel.

If you buy a "USED" LS Engine , it will most likely be sold complete with intake , throttle body , injectors , fuel rails, etc..
You'll have to get a harness and computer to run it.

[Fuelie Fan]

With patience and diligence, you can pack away that money you get in a savings account instead of spending it on the small block and get an LS.

Here's jsut one example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts-Accessories___02-Trans-Am-Camaro-LS1-Engine-w-Auto-Transmission-42k_W0QQitemZ220306255623QQddnZPartsQ20Q26Q20Acces soriesQQddiZ2811QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truc k_Parts_Accessories?hash=item220306255623&_trksid= p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=65%3A3|39%3A1|240%3A1318

So for the cost of your sbc, you can have an LS1 AND 4l60e. Spend the other 2k of your budget on the stuff to make it fit. You may even have some left over.

[1badchevelle]

you may want to do truck conversion like I am doing. I picked up a 5.3l from a 2002 tahoe with under 50/k miles for $900 ecm and uncut harness. or go with a 6.0l with tranny for around $2300-$2500

I can have complete drop units or just the motor from trucks. i dont have access to cars yet.

[XLexusTech]

Its a tuff call. I have done the numbers quite a few times but at a higher HP number. My conclusion is that the LS conversion is the ceaper long term answer. Couple of things that infulensed that are that my HP number is above what an OE gen 1 could handle, Yours is not.
I already need a subframe and a steering box and basically all of the suspension. Thus an aftermarket sub makes sense for me. That has the effect of lowering the cost of the LS conversion. Additionally I need a trans so I will be going with a complete GTO drop out.
A sub 500 HP Gen 1 is pretty cheap, Dont throw away that savings on an EFI conversion put it to good use elsewhere on the car.
IMHO

[ks71z28]

Pros / cons I have the Stealth Ram set up and it is really a good bargin, All aftermarket EFI systems can be trouble some, never used a factory retrofit so i cannot comment. My 450 hp sbc was easy enough to install EFI and get running. If you do go Stealth Ram, buy the wideband o2 upgrade